Patent US5779629A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5779629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Dual axis retractor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1997-10-02
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Granted: 1998-07-14
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Expires: 2017-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A dual axis retractor includes a generally L-shaped frame with a base leg and an arm projecting transversely from the leg. A second arm is operably mounted to the base leg parallel to the first arm, for selective movement towards and away from the first arm. Retractor blades are mounted on the first and second arms, opposing one another, and are movable towards and away from one another upon movement of the second arm relative to the first arm. A second pair of retractor blades are mounted on a pair of linkages extending between the first and second arms. The linkages orient the second pair of blades for movement towards and away from one another along an axis orthogonal to the axis of movement of the first pair of blades. The second arm is provided with a rotatable pinion which engages a rack on the base leg to selectively move the second arm relative to the first arm, and thereby simultaneously move both pairs of retractor blades.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Hohlen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0293; A61B17/0206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A dual axis surgical retractor, comprising: a generally L-shaped frame including an elongated longitudinal arm having first and second ends and an elongated base leg rigidly secured to the arm first end and extending transversely therefrom; a second elongated arm having first and second ends with means on the first end for operably connecting the arm to the base leg for selective movement towards and away from the first arm along a transverse axis while maintaining the second arm parallel to the first arm; a first pair of retractor blades, one blade mounted on the first arm and the second blade mounted on the second arm for movement with the arms along transverse axes; a second pair of retractor blades oriented generally orthogonally relative to the first pair of blades, each of said second pair of blades operably connected between the first and second arms by a linkage, for movement towards and away from each other along longitudinal axes in response to movement of the arms towards and away from one another; and drive means connected between the second arm and base leg for selectively moving the arms towards and away from one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A dual axis surgical retractor, comprising: a generally L-shaped frame including an elongated longitudinal arm having first and second ends and an elongated base leg rigidly secured to the arm first end and extending transversely therefrom; a second elongated arm having first and second ends with means on the first end for operably connecting the arm to the base leg for selective movement towards and away from the first arm along a transverse axis while maintaining the second arm parallel to the first arm; a first pair of retractor blades, one blade mounted on the first arm and the second blade mounted on the second arm for movement with the arms along transverse axes; a second pair of retractor blades oriented generally orthogonally relative to the first pair of blades, each of said second pair of blades operably connected between the first and second arms by a linkage, for movement towards and away from each other along longitudinal axes in response to movement of the arms towards and away from one another; and drive means connected between the second arm and base leg for selectively moving the arms towards and away from one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The retractor of claim 1, wherein said first pair of blades are mounted on the arms directly opposite one another, to move opposingly along the same transverse axis, and wherein the second pair of blades are mounted on the linkages directly opposite one another, to move opposingly along the same longitudinal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The retractor of claim 2, wherein the linkages connecting the second pair of blades to the arms each includes: a first link having opposite ends, one end pivotally connected to a blade and the other end pivotally connected to the first arm; and a second link having opposite ends, one end pivotally connected to a blade and the other end pivotally connected to the second arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The retractor of claim 3, wherein said drive means includes a rack formed along the base leg and a rotatable pinion on the second arm in engagement with the rack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The retractor of claim 4, further comprising a crank connected to the pinion for selectively rotating the pinion in clockwise and counterclockwise directions and thereby move all four retractor blades towards and away form each other along orthogonal axes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The retractor of claim 5, wherein each link of the linkages are of equal length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The retractor of claim 6, wherein said linkages are operative to maintain fixed orientation of the second pair of blades throughout the range of movement of the blades.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The retractor of claim 7, wherein said linkages further include means for adjustable, pivotally connecting the linkages along a length of the arms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The retractor of claim 8, wherein said means for adjustably, pivotally connecting the linkages to the arms includes: a pivot pin proximal the end of each link; and an elongated slot formed along a length of each of said arms for slidably, pivotally receiving each pivot pin; each slot having a plurality of transverse notches for selectively receiving a pivot pin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The retractor of claim 3, wherein each link of the linkages are of equal length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
The retractor of claim 1, wherein the linkages connecting the second pair of blades to the arms each includes: a first link having opposite ends, one end pivotally connected to a blade and the other end pivotally connected to the first arm; and a second link having opposite ends, one end pivotally connected to a blade and the other end pivotally connected to the second arm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The retractor of claim 1, wherein said drive means includes a rack formed along the base leg and a rotatable pinion on the second arm in engagement with the rack.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The retractor of claim 12, further comprising a crank connected to the pinion for selectively rotating the pinion in clockwise and counterclockwise directions and thereby move all four retractor blades towards and away form each other along orthogonal axes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The retractor of claim 1, wherein said linkages are operative to maintain fixed orientation of the second pair of blades throughout the range of movement of the blades.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The retractor of claim 1, wherein said linkages further include means for adjustable, pivotally connecting the linkages along a length of the arms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
The retractor of claim 15, wherein said means for adjustably, pivotally connecting the linkages to the arms includes: a pivot pin proximal the end of each link; and an elongated slot formed along a length of each of said arms for slidably, pivotally receiving each pivot pin; each slot having a plurality of transverse notches for selectively receiving a pivot pin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
189 words
Apparatus for simultaneously moving two pairs of blades along two independent axes, comprising: a generally L-shaped frame including an elongated longitudinal arm having first and second ends and an elongated base leg rigidly secured to the arm first end and extending transversely therefrom; a second elongated arm having first and second ends with means on the first end for operably connecting the arm to the base leg for selective movement towards and away from the first arm along a transverse axis; a first pair of blades, one blade mounted on the first arm and the second blade mounted on the second arm for movement with the arms along transverse axes; a second pair of blades oriented generally orthogonally relative to the first pair of blades, each of said second pair of blades operably connected between the first and second arms by a linkage, for movement towards and away from each other along longitudinal axes in response to movement of the arms towards and away from one another; and drive means connected between the second arm and base leg for selectively moving the arms towards and away from one another.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
189 words
Apparatus for simultaneously moving two pairs of blades along two independent axes, comprising: a generally L-shaped frame including an elongated longitudinal arm having first and second ends and an elongated base leg rigidly secured to the arm first end and extending transversely therefrom; a second elongated arm having first and second ends with means on the first end for operably connecting the arm to the base leg for selective movement towards and away from the first arm along a transverse axis; a first pair of blades, one blade mounted on the first arm and the second blade mounted on the second arm for movement with the arms along transverse axes; a second pair of blades oriented generally orthogonally relative to the first pair of blades, each of said second pair of blades operably connected between the first and second arms by a linkage, for movement towards and away from each other along longitudinal axes in response to movement of the arms towards and away from one another; and drive means connected between the second arm and base leg for selectively moving the arms towards and away from one another.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-07-13 | 2002-01-12 | 2002-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-13 | 2006-01-12 | 2006-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-13 | 2010-01-12 | 2010-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |