US5879291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device used with a surgical retractor to elevate body parts
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-08
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Granted: 1999-03-09
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Expires: 2017-10-08
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to a patient it is being used on. The device includes a bridge having distal and proximal ends wherein a distal coupling is attached to the distal end of the bridge and a proximal coupling is slidably attached to the bridge proximal to the distal coupling. The proximal and distal couplings include a means for releasably attaching itself to a surgical retractor. The device further includes a lifting assembly attached to the bridge proximal to the proximal coupling. The lifting assembly comprises a means for applying an upward force to the proximal coupling, whereby when the device is attached to a surgical retractor, the lifting assembly pivots the retractor upward about the distal coupling.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald J. Kolata
- 👤 William D. Fox
- 👤 Craig B. Berky
- 👤 Gary W. Knight
- 👤 David L. Hamann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A device for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to a patient it is being used on, said device comprising: a) a bridge having distal and proximal ends, a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge and a proximal coupling slidably attached to said bridge proximal to said distal coupling, each of said proximal and distal couplings comprising means for releasably attaching itself to a surgical retractor; and b) a lifting assembly attached to said bridge proximal to said proximal coupling, said lifting assembly comprising a means for applying an upward force to said proximal coupling whereby when said device is attached to said surgical retractor, said lifting assembly can pivot said retractor upward about said distal coupling.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A device for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to a patient it is being used on, said device comprising: a) a bridge having distal and proximal ends, a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge and a proximal coupling slidably attached to said bridge proximal to said distal coupling, each of said proximal and distal couplings comprising means for releasably attaching itself to a surgical retractor; and b) a lifting assembly attached to said bridge proximal to said proximal coupling, said lifting assembly comprising a means for applying an upward force to said proximal coupling whereby when said device is attached to said surgical retractor, said lifting assembly can pivot said retractor upward about said distal coupling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said distal and proximal couplings comprise hooks for receiving arms of said retractor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said proximal coupling further includes a releasable lock to secure said proximal coupling to said retractor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said lifting assembly is detachable from said bridge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 4 wherein said proximal coupling is attached to said lifting assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said lifting assembly comprises: a) a foot for pressing against a substantially stationary object; b) a threaded screw extending upwardly from said foot; c) a lifting frame extending radially from said screw, said frame having threads receiving said screw in threaded engagement, said frame further including a means for attaching said frame to said bridge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 6 wherein said screw is attached to said foot by a ball and socket connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 6 further including a knob on an upmost portion of said screw for adjusting the position of said frame with respect to said screw.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 6 further including a means for pivoting said frame with respect to said screw.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said lifting assembly can change its proximal position relative to said distal coupling.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for providing access to portions of the human anatomy, said apparatus comprising: a) a retractor, having proximal and distal arms, and a means for adjusting the distance between said proximal and distal arms; and b) a device for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to a patient it is being used on, said device comprising: i) a bridge having distal and proximal ends, a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge and a proximal coupling slidably attached to said bridge proximal to said distal coupling, each of said proximal and distal couplings comprising means for releasably attaching itself to said proximal and distal arms of said retractor; and ii) a lifting assembly attached to said bridge proximal to said proximal coupling, said lifting assembly comprising a means for applying an upward force to said proximal coupling whereby when said device is attached to said surgical retractor, the lifting assembly pivots said retractor upward about the distal coupling.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for providing access to portions of the human anatomy, said apparatus comprising: a) a retractor, having proximal and distal arms, and a means for adjusting the distance between said proximal and distal arms; and b) a device for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to a patient it is being used on, said device comprising: i) a bridge having distal and proximal ends, a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge and a proximal coupling slidably attached to said bridge proximal to said distal coupling, each of said proximal and distal couplings comprising means for releasably attaching itself to said proximal and distal arms of said retractor; and ii) a lifting assembly attached to said bridge proximal to said proximal coupling, said lifting assembly comprising a means for applying an upward force to said proximal coupling whereby when said device is attached to said surgical retractor, the lifting assembly pivots said retractor upward about the distal coupling.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 further including an arm extender, said arm extender comprising a means for releasably attaching itself to one of said arms of said retractor, and a blade which extends outwardly from said arm when attached thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said arm extender is slidably attached to said arm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 11 wherein said distal and proximal couplings comprise hooks for receiving arms of said retractor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 11 wherein said proximal coupling further includes a releasable lock to secure said proximal coupling to said retractor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 11 wherein said lifting assembly is detachable from said bridge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 16 wherein said proximal coupling is attached to said lifting assembly.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device according to claim 11 wherein said lifting assembly comprises: a) a foot for pressing against a substantially stationary object; b) a threaded screw extending upwardly from said foot; c) a lifting frame extending radially from said screw, said frame having threads receiving said screw in threaded engagement, said frame further including a means for attaching said frame to said bridge.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 18 wherein said screw is attached to said foot by a ball and socket connector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 18 further including a knob on an upmost portion of said screw for adjusting the position of said frame with respect to said screw.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 18 further including a means for pivoting said frame with respect to said screw.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 11, wherein said lifting assembly can change its proximal position relative to said distal coupling.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
122 words
A device for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to a patient it is being used on, said device comprising: a) a bridge having distal and proximal ends, a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge and a proximal coupling slidably attached to said bridge proximal to said distal coupling, each of said proximal and distal couplings have a mechanism for releasably attaching itself to a surgical retractor; and b) a lifting assembly attached to said bridge proximal to said proximal coupling, said lifting assembly comprising a mechanism for applying an upward force to said proximal coupling whereby when said device is attached to said surgical retractor, said lifting assembly can pivot said retractor upward about said distal coupling.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
122 words
A device for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to a patient it is being used on, said device comprising: a) a bridge having distal and proximal ends, a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge and a proximal coupling slidably attached to said bridge proximal to said distal coupling, each of said proximal and distal couplings have a mechanism for releasably attaching itself to a surgical retractor; and b) a lifting assembly attached to said bridge proximal to said proximal coupling, said lifting assembly comprising a mechanism for applying an upward force to said proximal coupling whereby when said device is attached to said surgical retractor, said lifting assembly can pivot said retractor upward about said distal coupling.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 23 wherein said distal and proximal couplings comprise hooks for receiving arms of said retractor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 23 wherein said proximal coupling further includes a releasable lock to secure said proximal coupling to said retractor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 23 wherein said lifting assembly is detachable from said bridge.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 26 wherein said proximal coupling is attached to said lifting assembly.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device according to claim 23 wherein said lifting assembly comprises: a) a foot for pressing against a substantially stationary object; b) a threaded screw extending upwardly from said foot; c) a lifting frame extending radially from said screw, said frame having threads receiving said screw in threaded engagement, said frame further including a means for attaching said frame to said bridge.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 28 wherein said screw is attached to said foot by a ball and socket connector.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 28 further including a knob on an upmost portion of said screw for adjusting the position of said frame with respect to said screw.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 28 further including a means for pivoting said frame with respect to said screw.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 23 wherein said lifting assembly can change its proximal position relative to said distal coupling.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for providing access to portions of the human anatomy, said apparatus comprising: a) a retractor, having proximal and distal arms, and a means for adjusting the distance between said proximal and distal arms; and b) a device for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to a patient it is being used on, said device comprising: i) a bridge having distal and proximal ends, a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge and a proximal coupling slidably attached to said bridge proximal to said distal coupling, each of said proximal and distal couplings comprising a mechanism for releasably attaching itself to said proximal and distal arms of said retractor; and ii) a lifting assembly attached to said bridge proximal to said proximal coupling, said lifting assembly comprising a mechanism for applying an upward force to said proximal coupling whereby when said device is attached to said surgical retractor, the lifting assembly pivots said retractor upward about the distal coupling.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for providing access to portions of the human anatomy, said apparatus comprising: a) a retractor, having proximal and distal arms, and a means for adjusting the distance between said proximal and distal arms; and b) a device for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to a patient it is being used on, said device comprising: i) a bridge having distal and proximal ends, a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge and a proximal coupling slidably attached to said bridge proximal to said distal coupling, each of said proximal and distal couplings comprising a mechanism for releasably attaching itself to said proximal and distal arms of said retractor; and ii) a lifting assembly attached to said bridge proximal to said proximal coupling, said lifting assembly comprising a mechanism for applying an upward force to said proximal coupling whereby when said device is attached to said surgical retractor, the lifting assembly pivots said retractor upward about the distal coupling.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 33 further including an arm extender, said arm extender comprising a means for releasably attaching itself to one of said arms of said retractor, and a blade which extends outwardly from said arm when attached thereto.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said arm extender is slidably attached to said arm.
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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) | 2002-03-08 | 2002-09-07 | 2003-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-08 | 2006-09-07 | 2007-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-08 | 2010-09-07 | 2011-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |