US5967974A — Surgical retractor

Claim 1

Independent Claim 158 words

A surgical retractor assembly comprising: a frame lying in a first plane and having a first end and a second end, the frame supporting a first hook member on the first end of the frame and a second hook member on the second end of the frame, at least one of the first and second hook members configured to retract tissue in a direction substantially opposed to the other of the first and second hook members; and a first elevation control assembly and a second elevation control assembly supporting the frame, each of the first and second elevation control assemblies positioned on either side of the second hook member and configured to be adjusted in a manner to pivot the second end of the frame and the second hook member about the first end of the frame and the first hook member and to selectively retain at least a portion of the frame out of the first plane.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 158 words

A surgical retractor assembly comprising: a frame lying in a first plane and having a first end and a second end, the frame supporting a first hook member on the first end of the frame and a second hook member on the second end of the frame, at least one of the first and second hook members configured to retract tissue in a direction substantially opposed to the other of the first and second hook members; and a first elevation control assembly and a second elevation control assembly supporting the frame, each of the first and second elevation control assemblies positioned on either side of the second hook member and configured to be adjusted in a manner to pivot the second end of the frame and the second hook member about the first end of the frame and the first hook member and to selectively retain at least a portion of the frame out of the first plane.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 17 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 1, wherein said first hook member is integral with the frame.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 1, wherein said second hook member is removably mounted to the frame.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 19 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 1 wherein said second hook member is movable with respect to the frame.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 23 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 4, further comprising an adjustment knob for moving said second hook member with respect to the frame.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame is substantially rectangular in configuration.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame is substantially oval in configuration.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 33 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 1, further comprising said second hook member removably mounted to the frame and movable to retract tissue in a direction away from the said first hook member.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 32 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second elevation control assemblies each comprise an elongated shaft having a locking mechanism to retain the frame in a selected position.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second elevation control assemblies each include an elongated shaft removably mounted to the frame, each of the elevation control assemblies including a locking mechanism to retain the frame in a selected position.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 33 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 10, wherein each locking mechanism includes a collet and a compressible member mounted on the shaft, the collet configured to compress the compressible member onto the shaft.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 108 words

A surgical retractor assembly comprising: a frame having first and second portions; a first hook member supported on the frame; a second hook member supported on the frame and movable with respect to the frame; and a first and a second frame support supporting the frame, the first and second frame supports positioned on either side of the second hook member and adapted to be adjusted in a manner to pivot the frame such that the second hook member pivots about the first hook member and to retain the first portion of the frame in a selected raised position with respect to the second portion of the frame.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 108 words

A surgical retractor assembly comprising: a frame having first and second portions; a first hook member supported on the frame; a second hook member supported on the frame and movable with respect to the frame; and a first and a second frame support supporting the frame, the first and second frame supports positioned on either side of the second hook member and adapted to be adjusted in a manner to pivot the frame such that the second hook member pivots about the first hook member and to retain the first portion of the frame in a selected raised position with respect to the second portion of the frame.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 32 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 12, wherein the first and second frame supports each comprise an elongated shaft having a locking mechanism for locking the frame in the selected raised position.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 12, wherein the frame includes an opening to provide access to the body tissue.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 28 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 12, further comprising a rotatable adjustment knob for moving the second hook member in a direction away from the first hook member.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 31 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 13, wherein the locking mechanism includes a compressible member and a collet member, the collet member configured to compress the compressible member against the shaft.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 21 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 16, further comprising a rotatable nut threadable onto the collet to compress the compressible member.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 14, wherein the second hook member has a plurality of teeth engagable by the adjustment knob.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

The surgical retractor assembly of claim 12, wherein the frame includes a base portion removably mounted thereto, and the second hook member is mounted on the base portion.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 117 words

A method for accessing the internal mammary artery in a minimally invasive surgical procedure comprising: placing a first hook member supported on a frame between ribs of a patient; placing a second hook member supported on the frame between the ribs; moving the second hook member in a direction away from the first hook member to retract the ribs; adjusting two elevation control assemblies connected to the frame on either side of the second hook member to pivot the second hook member about the first hook member and elevate a first portion of the frame away from the patient to a selected raised position; and retaining the first portion of the frame in the selected raised position.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 117 words

A method for accessing the internal mammary artery in a minimally invasive surgical procedure comprising: placing a first hook member supported on a frame between ribs of a patient; placing a second hook member supported on the frame between the ribs; moving the second hook member in a direction away from the first hook member to retract the ribs; adjusting two elevation control assemblies connected to the frame on either side of the second hook member to pivot the second hook member about the first hook member and elevate a first portion of the frame away from the patient to a selected raised position; and retaining the first portion of the frame in the selected raised position.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of inserting a dissector through an opening in the frame to dissect the internal mammary artery.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 21, wherein the step of moving the second hook member comprises rotating an adjustment knob.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 22, wherein the step of elevating the first portion of the frame comprises the step of manually sliding the first portion along first and second spaced apart shafts.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 23, wherein the step of retaining the first portion comprises the step of compressing a compressible member against each of the shafts.

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

Surgical retractor

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