Surgical retractor including central elastic member
US5582577A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/0293
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical retractor, retainer, tensioner, tenaculum, spreader or stabilizer (10) useful in open surgical procedures, or in laparoscopic or other endoscopic procedures, includes a plurality of tissue-engaging elements (12, 14) (such as a plurality of atraumatic hooks (18)) connected by a central elastic member (16). The elastic member (16) is preferably composed of a medical grade rubber, silicone or fluoropolymer elastomer, and is preferably configured or shaped as an O-ring (22) or regular polygon (66, 74, 88, or 92). When the retractor (10) is intended and particularly adapted for use in laparoscopic or other endoscopic procedures, the elastic member (16) is collapsible in a direction transverse to an imaginary line drawn between the plurality of tissue engaging elements (12, 14), so as to allow the retractor (10) to be passed through a surgical cannula into and out of the patient's body during the procedure. Alternatively, when the retractor (10) is intended and particularly adapted for use in any surgical procedure (that is, not limited to use in laparoscopic procedures), the elastic member (16) is directly connected to the plurality of tissue-engaging elements (12, 14), such …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.