Patent US5080088A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5080088A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flexible retractor
Assignee: Minnesota Scientific Inc
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Filing: 1987-11-09
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Granted: 1992-01-14
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Expires: 2007-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A retractor apparatus includes a retractor blade having a malleable element that defines a blade perimeter and a retractor area. A flexible member is supported by the malleable element and extends over the retractor area.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce A. LeVahn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B2017/0212
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A retractor device for use with a retractor support and having means for attaching the retractor device to the retractor support, the device comprising: a retractor blade having a perimeter and including a bendable wire support member extending along the perimeter defining a blade perimeter and a retractor area, and a flexible member supported by the wire member and extending over the retractor area such that the shape of the blade is changeable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A retractor device for use with a retractor support and having means for attaching the retractor device to the retractor support, the device comprising: a retractor blade having a perimeter and including a bendable wire support member extending along the perimeter defining a blade perimeter and a retractor area, and a flexible member supported by the wire member and extending over the retractor area such that the shape of the blade is changeable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the member is substantially transparent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the flexible member is made of a flexible polymeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the flexible member is in a slack state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the flexible member is in a sufficiently slack state to form a pouch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the wire member is made of a malleable material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A retractor device for use with a retractor support apparatus and having means for attachment to the retractor support apparatus, the device comprising: a retractor blade having a flexible pouch portion for engaging an organ, the flexible pouch portion supported by a wire perimeter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A retractor device for use with a retractor support apparatus and having means for attachment to the retractor support apparatus, the device comprising: a retractor blade having a flexible pouch portion for engaging an organ, the flexible pouch portion supported by a wire perimeter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 7 wherein the flexible pouch portion is made of a polymeric film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the film is substantially transparent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the pouch portion has a perimeter defined by a malleable element, the malleable element being bendable to a selected shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the malleable element is a wire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
A retractor device for use with a retractor support and having means for attachment to the retractor support, the device comprising: a retractor blade including a malleable element defining a perimeter of the retractor blade and defining a retractor area within the perimeter; and a flexible membrane extending over the retractor area and attached to the malleable element, the malleable element being bendable to a selected shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
A retractor device for use with a retractor support and having means for attachment to the retractor support, the device comprising: a retractor blade including a malleable element defining a perimeter of the retractor blade and defining a retractor area within the perimeter; and a flexible membrane extending over the retractor area and attached to the malleable element, the malleable element being bendable to a selected shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the membrane is in a slack state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the membrane as in a taut state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the membrane is a polymeric film.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the malleable element is a wire.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the malleable element is a continuous loop.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
A retractor device for use with a retractor support apparatus and having means for attachment to the retractor support apparatus, the device comprising: a retractor blade having a support member defining a perimeter and a retractor area and a flexible membrane attached to the support member and extending over the retractor area in a slack state.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
A retractor device for use with a retractor support apparatus and having means for attachment to the retractor support apparatus, the device comprising: a retractor blade having a support member defining a perimeter and a retractor area and a flexible membrane attached to the support member and extending over the retractor area in a slack state.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 18 wherein the membrane is made of a polymeric film.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 18 wherein the membrane is substantially transparent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 18 wherein the support member is made of a malleable material such that the blade is bendable to a selected shape.
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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) | 1995-01-13 | 1995-07-15 | 1996-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-13 | 1999-07-15 | 2000-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-13 | 2003-07-15 | 2004-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |