Retractor blade and bridge system
The present invention provides a retractor system useful in a wide variety of surgical procedures. This retractor system includes an annular retractor frame that can be used in conjunction with a bridge member or bridge frame to modify the positions available for the attachment of stays during a surgical procedure. In addition, the present invention provides a novel deep tissue blade for use with the annular retractor frame and the bridge member.
1 . A surgical retractor system for use in performing surgery comprising:
a generally annular retractor frame having an inner edge; an outer edge containing at least one notch; a hinged region and a flanged region;
a bridge member having an edge with at least one notch and at least one seating structure that can be attached to the hinged region of the annual retractor frame; and
at least one elastic stay or blade attached to the annular retractor frame or the bridge member, wherein the at least one elastic stay or blade includes a tissue holding means attached to an elastic member.
2 . The surgical retractor system of claim 1 , wherein the bridge member further includes a securing structure on which the at least one thumb-screw or wing-nut tightens down.
3 . The surgical retractor system of claim 2 , wherein the securing structure is in the shape of a flat open-ended circle.
4 . The surgical retractor system of claim 3 , wherein a seating structure of bridge member is on an opposite side from the securing structure.
5 . The surgical retractor system of claim 3 , wherein a seating structure of bridge member is on both ends of the bridge member.
6 . The surgical retractor system of claim 2 , wherein the bridge member is non-pliable.
7 . The surgical retractor system of claim 2 , wherein the bridge member is semi-malleable.
8 . The surgical retractor system of claim 2 , wherein the bridge member is disposable.
9 . The surgical retractor system of claim 2 , wherein the seating structure and securing structure increase the torsional stiffness of the bridge member in relation to the retractor frame.
10 . The surgical retractor of claim 9 , wherein the bridge member acts as a platform of attachment of the retractor frame to a handheld retractor.
11 . The surgical retractor system of claim 1 , wherein the bridge member further includes an internal hinged region to allow the bridge to fold up on itself.
12 . The surgical retractor system of claim 1 , wherein the bridge member is permanently attached to one side of the hinged region of the generally annular frame.
13 . A surgical retractor comprising:
a closed retractor frame having an inner edge; an outer edge; two hinged regions, wherein at least one of the hinged regions includes a thumb-screw or wing-nut based mechanism that when tightened restricts its movement, and a flanged region;
a bridge member having two edges and two ends, wherein the bridge member further includes a seating region on at least one end that can be attached to the closed retractor frame and a securing structure on at least one end that can be tightened down on by a one thumb-screw or wing-nut associated with the hinged region of the closed retractor frame; and
at least one elastic stay or blade attached to the annular retractor frame or the bridge member, wherein the at least one elastic stay includes a tissue holding means attached to an elastic member.
14 . The surgical retractor of claim 13 wherein the blade includes an elastic tether attachment area and a fulcrum structure on the distal surface of the attachment area.
15 . The surgical retractor of claim 14 wherein the blade includes a guide that directs the elastic tether toward the proximal end of the attachments area.
16 . A surgical retractor comprising:
a closed retractor frame having an inner edge; an outer edge; two hinged regions, wherein at least one of the hinged regions includes a thumb-screw or wing-nut based mechanism that when tightened restricts its movement, and a flanged region; and
a bridge member having two edges and two ends, wherein the bridge member further includes a seating region on at least one end that can be attached to the closed retractor frame and a securing structure on at least one end that can be tightened down on by a one thumb-screw or wing-nut associated with the hinged region of the closed retractor frame.
17 . The surgical retractor system of claim 16 , wherein the securing structure is in the shape of a flat open-ended circle.
18 . The surgical retractor system of claim 16 , wherein a seating structure of bridge member is on an opposite side from the securing structure.
19 . The surgical retractor system of claim 16 , wherein a seating structure of bridge member is on both ends of the bridge member.
20 . The surgical retractor system of claim 16 , wherein the bridge member is non-pliable.
21 . The surgical retractor system of claim 16 , wherein the bridge member semi-malleable.
22 . The surgical retractor system of claim 16 , wherein the bridge member is disposable.
23 . The surgical retractor system of claim 16 , wherein the bridge member further includes an internal hinged region to allow the bridge to fold up on itself.
24 . The surgical retractor system of claim 16 , wherein the bridge member is permanently attached to one side of the hinged region of the generally annular frame.