Soft tissue retractor and delivery device therefor
US6048309A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/306
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a retractor for providing surgical access through a passage in a patient's body, together with a delivery device for positioning the retractor in the patient's body. The retractor comprises an anchoring frame having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an opening therethrough which defines an axial axis. A flexible tensioning member is attached to the frame, and is extendable from the frame out of the body through the passage when the frame is positioned through the passage and into a body cavity. The retractor is held by the delivery device in a collapsed orientation for placement in the patient's body. The delivery device is released from the retractor to allow the retractor to assume an expanded orientation in the patient's body. This tensioning member is selectively tensionable to spread the tissue radially outwardly from the axial axis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.