Surgical retractor
US5514076A · kind A · utility
119Cited by
9References
22Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 7, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2210/0014
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A retractor for use in invasive surgery. The retractor includes a superelastic or shape memory alloy shaft having proximal and distal ends. A handle is attached to the proximal end, while the distal end has a shape trained into it adapted to grasp animal tissue. The distal end is designed to release at an amount of force lower than that which would cause tissue damage. Thus, should excessive force inadvertently be applied, the retractor will safely release before tissue damage occurs. A further advantage of the retractor is its ability to safely maintain retraction from a more remote location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.