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US5967971A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Surgical instrument

Assignee: CJ DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC
•
Filing: 1998-04-14
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Granted: 1999-10-19
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Expires: 2018-04-14
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Abstract

Abstract Surgical instrument, particularly a surgical retractor, for use in harvesting saphenous veins for use in coronary bypass operations. The retractor includes a handle, a retractor blade member including first and second limbs which define a view area axis, and a light source coupled to the retractor blade member for directing light away from the handle and away from the view area. The retractor may be inserted into a surgical wound to illuminate the surgical field. In use, the surgical retractor may be manipulated by a physician and can be used to expose sections of the vein and to facilitate blunt dissection along the length of the vein.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jeffrey William Bolser

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 05:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61B17/00008; A61B2017/00969

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 122 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle having a distal end and a proximal end; a retractor blade member including a first limb and a second limb said member for insertion into a surgical wound, said retractor blade attached to said distal end of said handle, said retractor blade member extending in a direction away from said handle, whereby a view area axis is defined between said first and second limbs substantially parallel to the plane defined by said first and second limbs; a light source coupled to said retractor blade for directing light away from said handle and away from said view area; at least one conductor for coupling power to said retractor blade; said light source coupled to said retractor blade.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 122 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle having a distal end and a proximal end; a retractor blade member including a first limb and a second limb said member for insertion into a surgical wound, said retractor blade attached to said distal end of said handle, said retractor blade member extending in a direction away from said handle, whereby a view area axis is defined between said first and second limbs substantially parallel to the plane defined by said first and second limbs; a light source coupled to said retractor blade for directing light away from said handle and away from said view area; at least one conductor for coupling power to said retractor blade; said light source coupled to said retractor blade.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising: a power source coupled to said handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising: a switch coupled to said handle for controlling said light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising: one or more batteries located within said handle forming a power source for said light source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 52 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said retractor blade comprises: a first electrically conductive member forming a first limb; a second electrically conductive member forming a second limb; said first and second members electrically isolated from each other and each coupled to said light source for conducting power to said light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
The instrument of claim 5 further comprising: web coupled to said retractor blade for positioning said light source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 21 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising: a remote power source for connection to said handle, for powering said light source.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US339754A Cited
DE723178C Cited
US2296793A Cited
US2690745A Cited
US4344419A Cited
US4337763A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2002-10-18 2003-04-19 2003-10-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2006-10-18 2007-04-19 2007-10-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2010-10-18 2011-04-19 2011-10-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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