SURGICAL RETRACTOR

• US 3,570,475 A
• Filed: 11/14/1968
• Issued: 03/16/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Weinstein Mandel
• Original Assignee: Weinstein Mandel
• Inventors: WEINSTEIN MANDEL
• Application Number:
  US04/775,778
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• US Class Current: 600/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00

Abstract

A surgical retractor particularly suited for use in surgical procedures involving the lower pelvic region is constructed of a resilient partially deformable strip of material having rounded edges. The retractor is adapted to be flexed and inserted horizontally into a surgical wound whereby the resiliency of the material serves to retract body portions. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the retractor may be adjustable.

Claims

1. A surgical retractor for use primarily in lower abdominal surgery comprising a thin substantially flexible member several times longer than it is wide and having smooth edges and blunt ends so as not to damage internal tissue, said member being fabricated of a resilient and partially deformable material compatible with living animal tissues, said retractor being adapted to be formed into a flexed condition for insertion into an abdominal surgical wOund and upon being released within the wound assume a tensed, flexed position with its ends bearing springably against selected internal body portions to retract said internal body portions and hold them away from the operative field with the flexure of said retractor varying as the patient breathes to reduce surgical trauma.

2. A surgical retractor particularly suited for exposing the pelvic region, said retractor comprising a plurality of flexible, resilient, partially deformable strips of material compatible with living animal tissues, each of said strips being several times longer than it is wide, each of at least two of said strips having one relatively blunt end so as not to damage internal tissue, said two strips being superimposed upon each other in sliding relationship with said blunt ends extending beyond the area of superposition, and connecting means for securing said strips together in sliding relation whereby the length of said retractor may be varied.

3. A surgical retractor as defined in claim 2 wherein said connecting means comprises a plurality of bands secured around said flexible strips at various positions along their length so as to retain the strips adjacent one another in sliding relation.

4. An adjustable surgical retractor comprising two flexible, resilient and partially deformable strips of material compatible with living animal tissues, each of said strips being several times longer than it is wide and having an inner end and an outer end, said outer end including a smooth broad bead of material, said strips being maintained one above the other in sliding relation by two bands which encircle both said strips, a first of said bands being attached to the inner end of a first of said strips with the second of said strips sliding therethrough, and a second of said bands being attached to said inner end of a second of said strips with the first strip sliding therethrough whereby the length of the retractor may be adjusted.

5. An adjustable surgical retractor as defined in claim 4 having a third band which encircles both said strips and travels freely upon said strips intermediate said first and second bands so as to prevent said strip from separating when said retractor is flexed.