Pericardial retractor
US7341558B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 19, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/0237
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical retractor includes a “swivel” having a string extending from one end and a string extending from the midpoint between the two ends. The swivel is delivered by pushing it out of a tube which is inserted through a small incision between the ribs of the patient. After the swivel is deployed, the tube is removed and the string which is attached to the center of the swivel is pulled to lift the pericardium. When the procedure is complete, the swivel is removed from the patient by pulling the string attached to the end of the swivel. According to one embodiment, the swivel is a cylinder with a blunt conical end. According to another embodiment, the swivel has a sharp end which is covered by a spring loaded collar.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.