US5967973A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical retractor and method of surgery
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
•
Filing: 1997-02-14
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Granted: 1999-10-19
•
Expires: 2017-02-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade. A surgical instrument is provided which is engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles R. Sherts
- 👤 David A. Nicholas
- 👤 David Farascioni
- 👤 Keith Ratcliff
- 👤 Peter W. J. Hinchliffe
- 👤 Cathy Aranyi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0293; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/77; A61B17/12; A61B17/132; A61B17/1322; A61B17/1325; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/0237; A61B2017/0243; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2901; A61B2017/2905; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61B2090/306; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005; A61B2217/007; A61B90/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A surgical retractor comprising: a) a monolithic base defining an opening therethrough and including an upper surface having a width and an outer peripheral portion having engagement structure thereon; b) a retractor mounting assembly including a mounting bracket and mounting bracket engagement structure slidable along the base and movable between a locked and unlocked position, the mounting bracket including a channel extending across a bottom portion thereof and being configured and dimensioned to releasably engage the width of the upper surface of the monolithic base, in the locked position, the base engagement structure abutting the mounting bracket engagement structure to lock the retractor mounting assembly in a predetermined radial position, the retractor mounting assembly further defining a cavity; and c) a retractor blade slidably positioned in the cavity and configured to retract tissue through the opening in the base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A surgical retractor comprising: a) a monolithic base defining an opening therethrough and including an upper surface having a width and an outer peripheral portion having engagement structure thereon; b) a retractor mounting assembly including a mounting bracket and mounting bracket engagement structure slidable along the base and movable between a locked and unlocked position, the mounting bracket including a channel extending across a bottom portion thereof and being configured and dimensioned to releasably engage the width of the upper surface of the monolithic base, in the locked position, the base engagement structure abutting the mounting bracket engagement structure to lock the retractor mounting assembly in a predetermined radial position, the retractor mounting assembly further defining a cavity; and c) a retractor blade slidably positioned in the cavity and configured to retract tissue through the opening in the base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 1, wherein the retractor mounting assembly includes a resilient flange portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 1, wherein the retractor mounting assembly is normally biased in engagement with the base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 1, wherein the retractor mounting assembly has a textured surface formed thereon for engaging a complementary textured surface formed on the periphery of the base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 4, wherein the textured surface on the periphery of the base is a gearing and the textured surface on the retractor mounting assembly is a complementary gear tooth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 1, further comprising a surgical instrument supporting structure having a protrusion formed thereon configured to be received in one of a plurality of recesses defined in the base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 6, which further comprises: an actuator associated with the surgical instrument supporting structure configured to translate rotational movement thereof to linear movement of the retractor blade.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 7, wherein the actuator has a pinion gear formed thereon configured to engage a rack formed on a portion of the retractor blade.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 1, wherein the retractor blade further includes a blood dispersion structure selected from the group consisting of a suction structure, an irrigation structure and a blowing structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 1, wherein the retractor blade further includes a light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second retractor mounting assembly and a second retractor blade.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one suture mount positioned on the base.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 1, wherein the retractor blade includes a ratchet system for controlling slidable movement of the blade to the retractor mounting assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the ratchet system is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the retractor blade.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the ratchet system is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the retractor blade.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 1, further comprising a transverse handle portion adjacent a proximal end of the retractor blade.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical retractor as recited in claim 1, further comprising a strap adjacent a proximal end of the retractor blade to facilitate retraction thereof relative to the retractor mounting assembly.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
196 words
A method of surgery comprising the steps of: a) providing a monolithic base defining an opening therethrough and including an upper surface having a width and an outer peripheral portion having engagement structure thereon; a retractor mounting assembly including a mounting bracket and mounting bracket engagement structure slidable along the base and movable between a locked and unlocked position, the mounting bracket including a channel extending across a bottom portion thereof and being configured and dimensioned to releasably engage the width of the upper surface of the monolithic base, in the locked position, the base engagement structure abutting the mounting bracket engagement structure to lock the retractor mounting assembly in a predetermined radial position, the retractor mounting assembly further defining a cavity; and a retractor blade slidably positioned in the cavity and configured to retract tissue through the opening in the base; b) positioning the base on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site; c) percutaneously accessing the operative site through the opening; d) retracting obstructing tissue by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade; and e) carrying out a surgical procedure through the opening in the base with a surgical instrument.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
196 words
A method of surgery comprising the steps of: a) providing a monolithic base defining an opening therethrough and including an upper surface having a width and an outer peripheral portion having engagement structure thereon; a retractor mounting assembly including a mounting bracket and mounting bracket engagement structure slidable along the base and movable between a locked and unlocked position, the mounting bracket including a channel extending across a bottom portion thereof and being configured and dimensioned to releasably engage the width of the upper surface of the monolithic base, in the locked position, the base engagement structure abutting the mounting bracket engagement structure to lock the retractor mounting assembly in a predetermined radial position, the retractor mounting assembly further defining a cavity; and a retractor blade slidably positioned in the cavity and configured to retract tissue through the opening in the base; b) positioning the base on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site; c) percutaneously accessing the operative site through the opening; d) retracting obstructing tissue by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade; and e) carrying out a surgical procedure through the opening in the base with a surgical instrument.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the retractor blade includes a ratchet assembly, and which further comprises the step of: fixing the position of the retractor blade with respect to the base with the ratchet assembly.
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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) | 2002-10-18 | 2003-04-19 | 2003-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-18 | 2007-04-19 | 2007-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-18 | 2011-04-19 | 2011-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |