Retractor with adjustable length blades and light pipe guides
First Claim
1. A variable length blade for a surgical retractor comprising;
- a fixed blade having longitudinal flanges forming channels;
means for securing said fixed blade to a retractor arm;
an extendible blade, said extendible blade telescopically engaging said channels on said fixed blade;
blade restraining means for restraining and holding said extendible blade in an adjusted position, said blade restraining means comprising frictionally engaging means on said fixed blade for frictionally engaging said telescoping extendible blade in an adjusted position;
whereby said variable length retractor blade can be adjusted for use on a wide range of patients.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Variable length blades for use with a retractor or distractor include a fixed upper portion and an adjustable extension that allows adjustment to accommodate a wide range of patients. A variable length retractor blade has a fixed upper portion that can vary in length from 10 to 15 cm. having a telescoping extension that can be adjusted to vary the length of the blade from 12 to as much as 24 cm. The variable blades include conventional flanges with a header for securing the variable blades on the end of retractor/distractor arms. An additional option is the inclusion of tubular guides in the variable length blade extension for placement of plurality of fixation screws and a light pipe to provide intensive illumination for the surgical site. Three tubular guides are provided in the upper and lower ends of the telescoping extension on the variable length blade for use with a distractor. The two outer tubular guides are used to place two fixation grooves in each blade to provide a stable platform for a distractor frame. A center tubular guide is used to position a light pipe for intense illumination of a surgical site.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A variable length blade for a surgical retractor comprising;
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a fixed blade having longitudinal flanges forming channels; means for securing said fixed blade to a retractor arm; an extendible blade, said extendible blade telescopically engaging said channels on said fixed blade; blade restraining means for restraining and holding said extendible blade in an adjusted position, said blade restraining means comprising frictionally engaging means on said fixed blade for frictionally engaging said telescoping extendible blade in an adjusted position; whereby said variable length retractor blade can be adjusted for use on a wide range of patients. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A lumbar spinal fusion retractor and distractor system comprising;
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a retractor frame having parallel arms extending perpendicular to a crossbar, one of said arms being movable toward or away from the other; a pair of variable length retractor blades engaging free ends of said pair of parallel arms for spreading and retracting a surgical incision; a distractor frame having parallel arms extending perpendicular to a crossbar, one of said parallel arms being movable toward or away from the other; a pair of distractor variable length blades engaging free ends of said parallel arms; fastening means for fastening said pair of distractor blades to adjacent vertebra; whereby said distractor frame and pair of distractor blades are firmly held in place on a spinal column to provide a clear view and distraction of an operating site. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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21. The variable length blade according to claim 21 in which said tubular guides are in groups of three at an upper end and a lower end of said extendible blade.
Specification