Systems and methods for tissue retraction
A system for interchangeable retractor blades includes a shell, a first retractor blade, and a second retractor blade. The shell includes a rigid proximal end configured to attach to a surgical retractor and an opening, a distal closed end, and a pliable portion including a pocket in communication with the opening and extending along a length of the shell to the distal closed end. The first retractor blade includes a first geometry received through the opening into the pocket and that shapes the pliable portion to configure the shell in a first configuration. The second retractor blade includes a second geometry received through the opening into the pocket and that shapes the pliable portion to configure the shell in a second configuration.
1. A system for interchangeable retractor blades, comprising: a shell having a rigid proximal end configured to attach to a surgical retractor and an opening, a distal closed end, and a pliable portion including a pocket in communication with the opening and extending along a length of the shell to the distal closed end; a first retractor blade including a first geometry received through the opening into the pocket and that shapes the pliable portion to configure the shell in a first configuration; and a second retractor blade including a second geometry received through the opening into the pocket and that shapes the pliable portion to configure the shell in a second configuration.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first geometry includes a first radius curvature in a plane normal to the length of the shell.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the second configuration includes a second radius of curvature in the plane normal to the length of the shell that is greater than the first radius of curvature.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first retractor blade includes length commensurate with the length of the shell, overall thickness configured to slidably engage with the pocket, and a curved profile commensurate with a curvature of the shell in a plane normal to the length.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the second retractor blade includes length commensurate with the length of the shell, overall thickness configured to slidably engage with the pocket, and a straight profile configured to decrease the curvature of the shell in the plane normal to the length.
6. A system for retracting tissue from a surgical area, comprising: a retractor including an actuator that positions a plurality of armatures; a plurality of shells each having a rigid proximal end attached to each of the plurality of armatures and an opening, a distal closed end, and a pliable portion including a pocket in communication with the opening and extending along a length of the shell to the distal closed end; a first plurality of retractor blades, each including a first geometry received through the opening into the pocket and that shapes the pliable portion to configure the shells in a first configuration; and a second plurality of retractor blades, each including a second geometry received through the opening into the pocket and that shapes the pliable portion to configure the shells in a second configuration.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first geometry includes a first radius curvature in a plane normal to the length of the shell and the second geometry includes a second radius of curvature in the plane normal to the length of the shell that is greater than the first radius of curvature.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the shells receive the first plurality of blades and the actuator positions the shells in a first position enclosing a first viewing area with a circular area of a first diameter.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the actuator positions the shells to a second position forming a second viewing area encompassed by the shells and planes extending from edges of adjacent shells, the second viewing area greater than the first viewing area.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the second viewing area includes a triangular area having rounded vertices with the first radius of curvature.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the shells receive the second plurality of blades and the actuator maintains the shells in the first position enclosing a third viewing area with a triangular area that is greater than the first viewing area.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the actuator positions the shells to a second position forming a fourth viewing area encompassed by the shells and planes extending from edges of adjacent shells, the fourth viewing area greater than the third viewing area.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the fourth viewing area includes a triangular area having rounded vertices with the second radius of curvature.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein each proximal end of the shells includes a tapered portion to ease insertion over a dilator into surrounding tissue.
15. The system of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first plurality of blades and the second plurality of blades includes decreasing radius of curvature at one edge to for nesting with adjacent blades.
16. A method for retracting tissue from a surgical area, comprising: attaching a plurality of shells to a retractor, each of the plurality of shells having a rigid proximal end attached to each of a plurality of armatures on the retractor and an opening, a distal closed end, and a pliable portion including a pocket in communication with the opening and extending along a length of the shell to the distal closed end; inserting a first plurality of retractor blades into the plurality of shells, each including a first geometry, each received through the opening into the pocket and shaping the pliable portion to configure the shells in a first configuration; inserting a second plurality of retractor blades into the plurality of shells, each including a second geometry, each received through the opening into the pocket and shaping the pliable portion to configure the shells in a second configuration.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the first geometry includes a first radius curvature in a plane normal to the length of the shell and the second configuration includes a second radius of curvature in the plane normal to the length of the shell that is greater than the first radius of curvature.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of removing at least one of the first plurality of blades before inserting one of the second plurality of blades.
19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising positioning the plurality of shells while in the first configuration to a first position and inserting the plurality of shells over a dilator.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising positioning the plurality of shells while in the second configuration to a second position.