Tissue retractor and method of use

1. A retractor system comprising:

a retractor frame comprising a first rotatable arm, a second rotatable arm, and a linearly translatable arm coupled to the first and second rotatable arms;

a first blade coupled to a distal end of the first rotatable arm, wherein the first rotatable arm is configured to rotate to move the first blade in an arc for tissue retraction;

a second blade coupled to a distal end of the second rotatable arm, wherein the second rotatable arm is configured to rotate to move the second blade in an arc for tissue retraction;

a third blade coupled to a distal end of the linearly translatable arm, wherein the linearly translatable arm is configured to translate to move the third blade in a line for tissue retraction,

wherein the first, second, and third blades are configured to angulate to separate distal ends of the first, second, and third blades from one another for tissue retraction,

wherein rotation of the first arm and second arm is performed independently from angulation of the first blade and second blade and wherein rotation of the first arm and second arm is in a different direction from angulation of the first blade and second blade.

2. The retractor system of claim 1 wherein the first rotatable arm and the second rotatable arm are independently rotatable.

3. The retractor system of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the first rotatable arm comprises a blade attachment member for holding the first blade, wherein the blade attachment member is configured to actuate to move a distal end of the first blade away from distal ends of the second and third blades.

4. The retractor system of claim 1 wherein the retractor frame comprises a planetary gear mechanism for driving rotation of the first rotatable arm.

5. The retractor system of claim 1 wherein the retractor frame comprises an actuator coupled to the first rotatable arm, wherein rotation of the actuator is configured to actuate rotation of the first rotatable arm.

6. The retractor system of claim 5 wherein the retractor frame comprises a planetary gear coupled to the actuator such that rotation of the actuator rotates the planetary gear, and wherein the retractor system comprises a sun gear that engages the planetary gear.

7. The retractor system of claim 1 wherein the retractor frame comprises a ratchet-locking mechanism for locking rotation of the first rotatable arm.

8. The retractor system of claim 1 wherein the retractor frame comprises a rack and pinion gear mechanism for translation of the linearly translatable arm.

9. The retractor system of claim 1 wherein the linearly translatable arm comprises a rack portion for facilitating translation of the linearly translatable arm.

10. The retractor system of claim 1 wherein the retractor frame comprises a ratchet-locking mechanism for locking translation of the linearly translatable arm.

11. A retractor system comprising:

a retractor frame comprising:

a first rotatable arm comprising a first blade attachment member at a distal end of the first rotatable arm;

a first planetary gear mechanism coupled to the first rotatable arm for rotating the first rotatable arm to move the distal end of the first rotatable arm in an arc;

a second rotatable arm comprising a second blade attachment member at a distal end of the second rotatable arm;

a second planetary gear mechanism coupled to the second rotatable arm for rotating the second rotatable arm to move the distal end of the second rotatable arm in an arc;

a linearly translatable arm coupled to the first rotatable arm and the second rotatable arm, the linearly translatable arm comprising a third blade attachment member at a distal end of the linearly translatable arm; and

a rack and pinion gear mechanism for translating the linearly translatable arm in a line;

a first blade coupled to the first blade attachment member;

a second blade coupled to the second blade attachment member; and

a third blade coupled to the third blade attachment member, wherein the first, second, and third blades are configured to angulate to separate distal ends of the first, second, and third blades from one another

wherein rotation of the first rotatable arm and second rotable arm is performed independently from angulation of the first blade and second blade and wherein rotation of the first rotatable arm and second rotatable arm is in a different direction from angulation of the first blade and second blade.

12. The retractor system of claim 11 wherein the first rotatable arm comprises a base portion having a distal end coupled to a proximal end first blade attachment member.

13. The retractor system of claim 12 wherein the first planetary gear mechanism comprises an actuator, a planetary gear coupled to the actuator such that rotation of the actuator rotates the planetary gear, and a first sun gear coupled to the first rotatable arm and engaging teeth on the planetary gear.

14. The retractor system of claim 13 wherein the first sun gear is received within a slot in the base portion of the first rotatable arm.

15. The retractor system of claim 14 wherein the retractor frame comprises a central gear housing coupled to the first rotatable arm, the second rotatable arm, and the linearly translatable arm, wherein the central gear housing houses the first sun gear.

16. The retractor system of claim 11 wherein the retractor frame comprises a ratchet-locking mechanism for locking rotation of the first rotatable arm.

17. The retractor system of claim 11 wherein the linearly translatable arm comprises a rack portion and a slotted portion, wherein the slotted portion separates the rack portion from the third blade attachment member.

18. The retractor system of claim 11 wherein the rack and pinion gear mechanism comprises an actuator, wherein rotation of the actuator results in translation of the linearly translatable arm in a line.

19. The retractor system of claim 11 wherein the retractor frame comprises a ratchet-locking mechanism for locking translation of the linearly translatable arm.

20. A method for retracting tissue in a surgical procedure comprising:

providing a retractor system comprising:

a retractor frame comprising a first rotatable arm, a second rotatable arm; and

a linearly translatable arm coupled to the first and second rotatable arms;

a first blade coupled to a distal end of the first rotatable arm;

a second blade coupled to a distal end of the second rotatable arm; and

a third blade coupled to a distal end of the linearly translatable arm;

rotating the first arm so that the first blade moves in an arc to retract tissue;

rotating the second arm so that the second blade moves in an arc to retract tissue;

translating the third arm so that the third blade moves in a line to retract tissue; and

angulating the first, second, and third blades to move distal ends of the first, second, and third blades away from one another to retract tissue

wherein rotation of the first arm and second arm is performed independently from angulation of the first blade and second blade and wherein rotation of the first arm and second arm is in a different direction from angulation of the first blade and second blade.