Surgical retractor

Claim 1

A surgical retractor for retaining tissue, membrane, organs and the like in retracted position in an incision during a surgical procedure, comprising: a ring having an unobstructed planar upper surface and a continuous, circumferentially outwardly opening channel around its periphery; support means connected to said ring for holding it in a desired position over said incision, said support means including ring support arms mounted to said ring below said channel and projecting outwardly of its periphery, and support rods extending downwardly from outer ends of said ring support arms so that the support means does not extend above the ring or into its center; at least one retractor arm holder having a projection slidably captured within said outwardly opening channel of said ring, said arm holder extending outwardly from said ring and not extending over said upper surface or into the center of said ring, said projection being movable within said channel around said periphery of said ring to position said arm holder at a desired location therealong; at least one retractor arm having a blade attached thereto, said retractor arm being mounted to said arm holder outwardly of said ring so that it can pass below and inwardly of said ring without extending over said upper surface thereof; said retractor arm holder being movable around said channel past said support means without interference therefrom, to position said blade relative to said incision; and said retractor presenting a continuous, unobstructed upper surface which provides a rest and guide for stabilizing a surgeon's hand during said surgical procedure.