Apparatus for retracting tissue

• US 5,776,054 A
• Filed: 08/07/1996
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dilip Bobra
• Original Assignee: Dilip Bobra
• Inventors: Bobra, Dilip
• Primary Examiner(s): FLANAGAN, BEVERLY MEINDL
• Application Number:
  US08/694,481
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 600/201, 600/210, 600/213, 600/214, 600/215, 600/216, 600/217, 600/218, 600/219, 600/222, 600/224, 600/232
• US Class Current: 600/219
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0206 with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements

Abstract

A retractor for placement proximate an incision for holding back the edges of the incision, the retractor comprising a pair of substantially elongate retractor portions having outer substantially irregular edges formed along substantially the entire length thereof for engaging and holding back the opposing edges of an incision, and an expansion assembly coupled to the retractor portions for moving the retractor portions between a collapsed position and an expanded position.

Claims

1. A retractor for holding back the edges of an incision, said retractor comprising:

a base;

a substantially elongate first retractor arm having an inner end pivotally coupled to said base, an outer end, an inner edge, and a substantially irregular outer engagement edge extending substantially along the entire length of said first retractor arm from said inner end to said outer end thereof;

a substantially elongate second retractor arm having an inner end pivotally mounted to said base, an outer end, an inner edge and a substantially irregular outer engagement edge extending along substantially the entire length of said second retractor arm from said inner end to said outer end thereof, said first retractor arm being disposed parallel to and spaced from said second retractor arm;

an expansion assembly coupled to said first retractor arm and said second retractor arm for moving said first retractor arm and said second retractor arm between a contracted and an expanded position, said substantially irregular outer engagement edge of said first retractor arm and said substantially irregular engagement edge of said second retractor arm for engaging the edges of the incision.

2. The retractor of claim 1, wherein said substantially irregular outer engagement edge of said first retractor arm includes a plurality of serrations extending along substantially the entire length thereof from said inner end to said outer end.

3. The retractor of claim 1, wherein said substantially irregular outer engagement edge of said second retractor arm includes a plurality of serrations extending along substantially the entire length thereof from said inner end to said outer end.

4. The retractor of claim 1, wherein said first retractor arm and said second retractor arm are removably coupled to said expansion assembly.

5. A retractor for holding back the edges of an incision, said retractor comprising:

a base;

a substantially elongate first retractor arm having an inner end pivotally coupled to said base, an outer end, an inner edge, and a substantially irregular outer engagement edge extending substantially along the entire length of said first retractor arm from said inner end to said outer end thereof;

a substantially elongate first lower retractor arm having an inner end pivotally coupled to said base, an outer end, an inner edge, and a substantially irregular outer engagement edge extending along substantially the entire length of said first lower retractor arm from said inner end to said outer end thereof, said first lower retractor arm being substantially rigidly coupled to, and disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from, said first retractor arm;

a substantially elongate second retractor arm having an inner end pivotally mounted to said base, an outer end, an inner edge and a substantially irregular outer engagement edge extending along substantially the entire length of said second retractor arm from said inner end to said outer end thereof, said second retractor arm being disposed parallel to and spaced from said first retractor arm;

a substantially elongate second lower retractor arm having an inner end pivotally coupled to said base, an outer end, an inner edge, and a substantially irregular outer engagement edge extending along substantially the entire length of said second lower retractor arm from said inner end to said outer end thereof, said second lower retractor arm being substantially rigidly coupled to, and disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from, said second retractor arm; and

an expansion assembly coupled to said first retractor arm and said second retractor arm for moving said first retractor arm and said first lower retractor arm, and said second retractor arm and said second lower retractor arm, respectively, between a contracted and an expanded position, each said substantially irregular outer engagement edge of said first retractor arm, said first lower retractor arm, said second retractor arm and said second lower retractor arm for engaging substantially the entire length of the edges of the incision.

6. The retractor of claim 5, wherein said substantially irregular outer engagement edge of said first retractor arm includes a plurality of serrations extending along substantially the entire length thereof from said inner end to said outer end.

7. The retractor of claim 5, wherein said substantially irregular outer engagement edge of said second retractor arm includes a plurality of serrations extending along substantially the entire length thereof from said inner end to said outer end.

8. The retractor of claim 5, wherein said substantially irregular outer engagement edge of said first lower retractor arm includes a plurality of serrations extending along substantially the entire length thereof from said inner end to said outer end.

9. The retractor of claim 5, wherein said substantially irregular outer engagement edge of said second lower retractor arm includes a plurality of serrations extending along substantially the entire length thereof from said inner end to said outer end.