US6042540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Side-loading surgical retractor
Assignee: Pacific Surgical Innovations Inc
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Filing: 1997-08-18
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Granted: 2000-03-28
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Expires: 2017-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A surgical retractor with interchangeable retractor blades allows the retractor blades to be positioned in an incision before being side-loaded into the retractor body and locked in place. The surgical retractor uses a connector head with a circumferential groove that fits in a side-loading socket and is locked in place with a cam that fits in the circumferential groove. A release lever releases the cam and allows the retractor blades to be removed.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry Johnston
- 👤 Thomas Wiedenmaier
- 👤 Daniel Bass
- 👤 Todd Pope
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0206; A61B2017/0046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A retractor apparatus, comprising: a top-loading ball snap device including a longitudinal axis and a groove formed in an exterior surface of the ball snap device; a holding device including a socket with a receiving opening for receiving at least a portion of the ball snap device, wherein the socket is configured to receive the ball snap device in a lateral direction relative to the ball snap longitudinal axis; and a cam member with a ridge positioned at an exterior surface of the cam member, wherein the cam member is at least partially positioned in a side-loading socket and the ridge is configured to be positioned at least partially in the groove of the ball snap and permit at least a partial rotational movement of the ball snap device relative to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A retractor apparatus, comprising: a top-loading ball snap device including a longitudinal axis and a groove formed in an exterior surface of the ball snap device; a holding device including a socket with a receiving opening for receiving at least a portion of the ball snap device, wherein the socket is configured to receive the ball snap device in a lateral direction relative to the ball snap longitudinal axis; and a cam member with a ridge positioned at an exterior surface of the cam member, wherein the cam member is at least partially positioned in a side-loading socket and the ridge is configured to be positioned at least partially in the groove of the ball snap and permit at least a partial rotational movement of the ball snap device relative to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top-loading ball snap device is coupled to a retractor blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a release lever coupled to the cam member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cam member sufficiently locks the ball snap device in the socket and prevents the retractor blade from falling away from the holding device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cam member is configured to provide a positive lock of the ball snap device in the socket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cam member significantly eliminates a lateral movement of the ball snap device relative to the holding device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving opening is configured to receive the ball snap device in one or two orthogonal directions relative to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving opening is configured to receive the ball snap device in two different directions relative to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ridge and groove are configured to limit a lateral movement of a retractor blade.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a transverse retractor coupled to the holding device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second arms include a first and a second hinge, respectively.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a longitudinal retractor coupled to the holding device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second arms include a first and a second hinge, respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A surgical retractor, comprising: a retractor body having a socket for receiving a connector head, the socket configured to be able to receive the connector head from both a top surface of the connector head and a side surface of the connector head.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
A surgical retractor, comprising: a retractor body having a socket for receiving a connector head, the socket configured to be able to receive the connector head from both a top surface of the connector head and a side surface of the connector head.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical retractor of claim 14, wherein the side surface of the connector head includes a groove.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical retractor of claim 15, wherein the socket includes a locking device, the locking device configured to be able to engage the groove.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 16, wherein the locking device includes a spring-loaded cam.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical retractor of claim 17, wherein the locking device includes a release device coupled to the locking device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 18, wherein the release device includes a release lever.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 14, wherein the connector head includes a fixing pin.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical retractor of claim 20, wherein the socket includes a recess configured to be able to receive the fixing pin.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
A surgical retractor, comprising: a retractor blade having a connector head, the connector head having a top surface and a side surface; and a retractor body having a socket, the socket configured to be able to receive the connector head from both the top surface of the connector head and the side surface of the connector head.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
A surgical retractor, comprising: a retractor blade having a connector head, the connector head having a top surface and a side surface; and a retractor body having a socket, the socket configured to be able to receive the connector head from both the top surface of the connector head and the side surface of the connector head.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical retractor of claim 22, wherein the side surface of the connector head includes a groove.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical retractor of claim 23, wherein the socket includes a locking device, the locking device configured to be able to engage the groove.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 24, wherein the locking device includes a spring-loaded cam.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical retractor of claim 24, wherein the locking device includes a release device coupled to the locking device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 26, wherein the release device includes a release lever.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 22, wherein the connector head includes a fixing pin.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical retractor of claim 28, wherein the socket includes a recess configured to be able to receive the fixing pin.
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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) | 2003-03-28 | 2003-09-27 | 2004-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-28 | 2007-09-27 | 2008-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-28 | 2011-09-27 | 2012-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |