Surgery – Specula – Retractor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-04
2001-02-20
Smith, Jeffrey A. (Department: 3732)
Surgery
Specula
Retractor
C600S233000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190312
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to surgical retractors and surgical retractor stays. More particularly, the present invention relates to a variable geometry retractor frame and a snap-on clip for receiving and securing an end portion of an elastic member of a surgical retractor stay wherein the snap-on clip is slidably movable on the surgical retractor frame, is removably detachable from the surgical retractor frame and is disposable.
2. Description of the Related Art
During the course of a surgical procedure or operation, the surgeon opens the patient with a scalpel, forming an incision and surgical site. As the surgeon cuts deeper, the operating room staff typically holds tissue away from the operative field using retractors.
Most retractors are one piece metallic implements that retract a wound in a non-yielding manner. Manipulation and movement of the surgeon as well as movement caused by contracting muscles or tissues of the patient can result in bruising or tearing of tissue.
Once an incision is separated and retracted, there is often a need for multiple stays in the form of sutures for holding various tissues, for example different organs. Elastic surgical retractor systems are in commercial use that include elastic stays, each having an elongated elastic member that is typically a hollow length of elastic tubing. The elastic tubing provides proximal and distal end portions. The distal end portion carries an elongated hook constructed of wire.
The wire hook has a proximal end that is placed in the distal end of the bore of the hollow tubing. A shrink wrap is placed over the hook and tubing to hold the proximal end of the wire hook firmly in position within the bore of the tubing at the distal end. The embedded portion of the wire hook member is usually recurved or folded. This folded proximal portion of the wire hook expands the tubing slightly, forming a vertically extended portion that defines a handle.
Various patents have issued for elastic stay retractor systems. A surgical retractor array system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,791, issued to W. Dale Darnell on Mar. 6, 1984. This surgical retractor system comprises an array of standardized, interchangeable, annular retractor frame sections of various shapes of which the end portions are configured to permit the interchangeable, hinged connection of the various shaped frames in forming generally annular retractor units adaptable to conform to fit the surface contours of various patients upon which a surgical operation is to be performed. This retractor frame is designed to accept yielding rubber or like elastic stays.
Other recent patents have issued that relate to elastic type retractor stays and related retractor frames and systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,398, issued to Frank B. Scott, Jr., issued Jun. 23, 1981, discloses a surgical retractor which includes an annular frame conformed to fit the surface contour of the portion of the body to be operated on. At least one stay includes an elastic member and a tissue holding hook. The frame has a plurality of notches spaced about its periphery. The elastic portion of the stay is in the form of a length of hollow elastic tubing adapted to be inserted into one of the notches of the frame and held in place by friction to retract the tissue. The hook is a single, curved wire member. It has a folded proximal end that fits the hollow bore of the elastic tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system according to the present invention provides a variety of features, including a variable geometry retractor system having a variable geometry retractor frame and disposable, snap-on retractor stay clips.
One embodiment according to the present invention provides a snap-on clip with an arc-shaped end and knob, extension or protrusion defining a recess adapted to receive a tubular or cylindrical retractor frame such as a variable geometry retractor frame. Another embodiment according to this invention provides a snap-on clip having a recess adapted to receive a substantially rectangular variable geometry retractor frame having parallel indented tracks on the sides for engaging a securing lip of the snap-on clip.
One embodiment according to the present invention provides a tubular or cylindrical retractor frame for receiving the snap-on clip having an arc shaped end. Another embodiment according to this invention provides a substantially rectangular frame having parallel indented tracks on the sides of the frame for engaging a securing lip of the snap-on clip.
One embodiment according to the present invention provides for an elongated substantially cylindrical coupler for receiving and securing portions of a cylindrical variable geometry retractor frame. Another embodiment according to the present invention provides for a generally rectangular coupler for receiving and securing portions of the generally rectangular retractor frame.
One embodiment according to the present invention provides for a variable geometry retractor frame having end portions angled or bent relative to the plane of the middle portion of the frame. The angled end portions may have a plurality of bends.
One embodiment according to the present invention provides a snap-on clip having an aperture for receiving an elastic member of a surgical retractor stay and further having the aperture communicate with a notch in which to secure the elastic member.
Another embodiment according to the present invention provides a snap-on clip having a head with a notch for receiving an elastic member therein. When the notch secures an elastic member, the tension from the elastic member aids the head of the snap-on clip to more securely engage the frame.
One embodiment according to the present invention provides for custom shaped variable geometry retractor frames made from extruded metal such as, for example, aluminum.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 32021 (1985-11-01), Scott, Jr.
patent: 170573 (1875-11-01), Lesh
patent: 334711 (1886-01-01), Lorenz
patent: 2701562 (1955-02-01), Michael et al.
patent: 3040739 (1962-06-01), Grieshaber
patent: 3515129 (1970-06-01), Truhan
patent: 3542015 (1970-11-01), Steinman
patent: 3655964 (1972-04-01), Slight
patent: 3749088 (1973-07-01), Kohlmann
patent: 3762401 (1973-10-01), Tupper
patent: 3916879 (1975-11-01), Cotten
patent: 4048987 (1977-09-01), Hurson
patent: 4099521 (1978-07-01), Nestor et al.
patent: 4185636 (1980-01-01), Gabbay et al.
patent: 4190042 (1980-02-01), Sinnreich
patent: 4254763 (1981-03-01), McCready et al.
patent: 4257406 (1981-03-01), Schenk
patent: 4263900 (1981-04-01), Nicholson
patent: 4274398 (1981-06-01), Scott, Jr.
patent: 4321916 (1982-03-01), McKee
patent: 4337762 (1982-07-01), Gauthier
patent: 4337763 (1982-07-01), Petrassevich
patent: 4344420 (1982-08-01), Forder
patent: 4355631 (1982-10-01), LeVahn
patent: 4380999 (1983-04-01), Healy
patent: 4387706 (1983-06-01), Glass
patent: 4412532 (1983-11-01), Anthony
patent: 4421107 (1983-12-01), Estes et al.
patent: 4421108 (1983-12-01), Cabrera et al.
patent: 4430947 (1984-02-01), Kvame
patent: 4430984 (1984-02-01), Tharman
patent: 4430991 (1984-02-01), Darnell
patent: 4434791 (1984-03-01), Darnell
patent: 4559677 (1985-12-01), Tracy
patent: 4685467 (1987-08-01), Cartmell et al.
patent: 4852312 (1989-08-01), Harbom
patent: 5080088 (1992-01-01), LeVahn
patent: 5141973 (1992-08-01), Kobayaski et al.
patent: 5231974 (1993-08-01), Giglio et al.
patent: 5233720 (1993-08-01), Schon
patent: 5260576 (1993-11-01), Sommer, Jr. et al.
patent: 5307805 (1994-05-01), Byrne
patent: 5337736 (1994-08-01), Reddy
patent: 5518124 (1996-05-01), Sommer, Jr. et al.
patent: 5738224 (1998-04-01), Sommer, Jr. et al.
patent: 5769783 (1998-06-01), Fowler, Jr.
patent: 5785649 (1998-07-01), Fowler, Jr.
patent: 5899853 (1999-05-01), Fowler, Jr.
patent: 5951467 (1999-09-01), Picha et al.
patent: 5964697 (1999-10-01), Fowler, Jr.
patent: 5964698 (1999-10-01), Fowler
patent: 6077221 (2000-06-01), Fowler, Jr.
patent: 3234875 (1984-03-01), None
patent: 1222141 (1971-02-01), None
patent: 1550255 (1979-08-01), None
pat
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.
Lone Star Medical Products, Inc.
Smith Jeffrey A.
LandOfFree
Variable geometry retractor and disposable retractor stay... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Variable geometry retractor and disposable retractor stay..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Variable geometry retractor and disposable retractor stay... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2594716