Surgery – Specula – Retractor
Patent
1998-11-24
1999-09-21
Hirsch, Paul J.
Surgery
Specula
Retractor
600231, A61B 1702
Patent
active
059546395
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a surgical retractor assembly and in particular to a table mounted surgical retractor which is capable of supporting multiple tissue engaging members in a manner allowing self alignment of the members subject to the pull of force of the tissue engaged by them.
Surgical exposure of internal organs and tissues in a patient is essential for surgeons to perform operative procedures. There are many different parts in the human body which may require exposure during surgical operations, the type of exposure required will vary with the type of operation being performed. Mechanical devices known as surgical retractors have been developed to assist in providing such exposure. The principle behind surgical retractors is to hold apart those tissues or organs that overlie the organ(s) of interest.
Many different surgical retractors have been developed to hold apart tissues and or organs. Most retractors consist of a rigid frame onto which are attached a series of retractor blades which can be held in various positions. These retractor blades are often held onto the frame with some form of fixing device such as a clamp. In one surgical retractor, known as the Bookwater retractor, the blades engage a rigid frame by a series of clips that slot onto the frame and which allow the position of the blades to be adjusted by a ratchet mechanism. In another example of a retractor, known as a Omnitract, the frame consists of a wishbone mechanism and the blades are connected to the frame by a series of locking (clamping) devices. In a third example of a retractor, known as the Turner Warrick retractor, the frame consists of a round or oval frame and detachable blades are slotted into the frame in fixed positions.
The principle problems associated with use of the above mentioned retractor assemblies relate to the means by which the retractor blades engage the retractor frame and the manner in which the blades are then fastened to that frame. When clamps are used to fasten the retractor blades there exists the problem that they are often difficult to adjust and often need to be done up tightly to prevent movement during operative procedures. This can cause significant difficulties in releasing a retractor blade, particularly when a retractor blade is being removed following post operative procedures. When a retractor blade is fixed to a retractor frame there is also limited movement available with respect to the position of the retractor blade, thus the retractor blade may not sit properly against the true line of force of the tissue. This may result in either the tissue dislodging from a retractor blade or movement of the tissue during an operative procedure. Further, the present retractor assemblies typically consist of many parts, making the problem of sterilisation difficult.
The present invention seeks to provide a retractor assembly which ameliorates and or overcomes the above mentioned problems.
The present invention provides a retractor assembly capable of supporting at least a tissue engaging member in a manner allowing self alignment of the member subject to the pull of force of the tissue engaged by the member, the retractor assembly comprising: arrangement which is capable of releasably engaging the support member; and engaging member with the frame member and the support member to hold the tissue engaging member(s) in a substantially immovable position.
Preferably, the tissue engaging member and the support member, engage in a manner permitting pivotal movement of the tissue engaging member about the support. When the tissue engaging member is so engaged to the support member, it should be able to move subject to the pull of the tissue engaged by the tissue engaging member. Pivotal (eg up and down) movement of the retractor member(s) provides a means to ensure that the member(s) sits properly in the true line of resistance of the tissue. This minimises tissue dislodging from a tissue engaging member(s) or movement of the tissue during an operative procedure.
Any frame member capable of supporti
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Hirsch Paul J.
Pine Ridge Holdings Pty Ltd.
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