US6113535A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical retraction apparatus
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 1998-04-08
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Granted: 2000-09-05
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Expires: 2018-04-08
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a lifting apparatus for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to a patient it is being used on. The lifting apparatus has a bridge for engaging at least one arm of a surgical retractor. The bridge has a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The bridge further includes a distal coupling attached to the distal end of the bridge for releaseably attaching the bridge to the surgical retractor. The lifting apparatus further comprises an elevator. The elevator is for applying an upward force to the proximal end of the bridge, so that when the apparatus is attached to a surgical retractor, the elevator pivots the retractor upward about the distal coupling. The elevator includes a bridge coupling for attaching to the proximal end of the bridge. A resilient pad is releaseably attached to the base of the lifting assembly and is positioned between the base and the chest of the patient.
Inventors
- 👤 William D. Fox
- 👤 Ronald J. Kolata
- 👤 Craig B. Berky
- 👤 Gary W. Knight
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A lifting apparatus for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to the patient it is being used on, said lifting apparatus comprising: a) a means for applying an upward force to an end of said retractor to pivot said retractor with respect to the patient, wherein said means for applying an upward force includes a base for placement on the chest of the patient; and b) a resilient pad attached to said base and positioned between said base and the patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A lifting apparatus for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to the patient it is being used on, said lifting apparatus comprising: a) a means for applying an upward force to an end of said retractor to pivot said retractor with respect to the patient, wherein said means for applying an upward force includes a base for placement on the chest of the patient; and b) a resilient pad attached to said base and positioned between said base and the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pad is made from a polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 2, wherein said pad is made from at least one material chosen from the group comprising: olefinic thermoplastic elastomers, silicon rubber, latex rubber, polyurethane, and polyethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pad covers substantially all of a bottom surface area of said base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pad has a durometer between about 20 and about 60 on the Shore D scale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of said pad is contoured.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 6, wherein said bottom surface of said pad is curved between two ends of said pad so that more force is distributed at said ends of said pad than to a center of said pad when said lifting apparatus is applying said upward force to said retractor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pad has a hollow interior designed to receive said base, said hollow interior having a plurality of ribs along an inner surface thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pad is releaseably attached to said base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pad is made from a material which provides sufficient friction between said base and the patient to substantially prevent said base from slipping.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 10, wherein said pad is made from at least one material chosen from the group comprising: olefinic thermoplastic elastomers, silicon rubber, latex rubber, polyurethane and polyethylene.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
182 words
A lifting apparatus for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to the patient it is being used on, said lifting apparatus comprising: a) a bridge for engaging at least one arm of a surgical retractor, said bridge having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said bridge including a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge for releaseably attaching said bridge to said surgical retractor; b) a frame extending upwardly from the patient, said frame having a top and a base; c) an elevator movably attached to said frame so that it can move between said top and said base of said frame, said elevator including a bridge coupling for attaching said elevator to proximal end of said bridge, whereby when said lifting apparatus is attached to said surgical retractor and said elevator moves towards said top of said frame, said elevator lifts said bridge and pivots said retractor upward about said distal coupling; and d) a resilient pad attached to said base of said frame and positioned between said base and the patient.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
182 words
A lifting apparatus for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to the patient it is being used on, said lifting apparatus comprising: a) a bridge for engaging at least one arm of a surgical retractor, said bridge having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said bridge including a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge for releaseably attaching said bridge to said surgical retractor; b) a frame extending upwardly from the patient, said frame having a top and a base; c) an elevator movably attached to said frame so that it can move between said top and said base of said frame, said elevator including a bridge coupling for attaching said elevator to proximal end of said bridge, whereby when said lifting apparatus is attached to said surgical retractor and said elevator moves towards said top of said frame, said elevator lifts said bridge and pivots said retractor upward about said distal coupling; and d) a resilient pad attached to said base of said frame and positioned between said base and the patient.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pad is made from a polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 13, wherein said pad is made from at least one material chosen from the group comprising: olefinic thermoplastic elastomers, silicon rubber, latex rubber, polyurethane, and polyethylene.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pad covers substantially all of a bottom surface area of said base.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pad has a durometer between about 20 and about 60 on the Shore D scale.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 12, wherein a bottom surface of said pad is contoured.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 17, wherein said bottom surface of said pad is curved between two ends of said pad so that more force is distributed at said ends of said pad than to a center of said pad when said lifting apparatus is applying said upward force to said retractor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pad has a hollow interior designed to receive said base, said hollow interior having a plurality of ribs along an inner surface thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pad is releaseably attached to said base.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pad is made from a material which provides sufficient friction between said base and the patient to substantially prevent said base from slipping.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 21, wherein said pad is made from at least one material chosen from the group comprising: olefinic thermoplastic elastomers, silicon rubber, latex rubber, polyurethane and polyethylene.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
208 words
A lifting apparatus for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to the patient it is being used on, said lifting apparatus comprising: a) a bridge for engaging at least one arm of a surgical retractor, said bridge having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said bridge including a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge for releaseably attaching said bridge to said surgical retractor; b) a frame extending upwardly from the patient, said frame having a top and a base; c) an elevator movably attached to said frame so that it can move between said top and said base of said frame, said elevator including a bridge coupling for attaching said elevator to proximal end of said bridge, whereby when said lifting apparatus is attached to said surgical retractor and said elevator moves towards said top of said frame, said elevator lifts said bridge and pivots said retractor upward about said distal coupling; and d) a resilient pad attached to said base of said frame and positioned between said base and the patient, wherein said pad is made from a polymer material which provides sufficient friction between said base and the patient to substantially prevent said base from slipping.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
208 words
A lifting apparatus for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to the patient it is being used on, said lifting apparatus comprising: a) a bridge for engaging at least one arm of a surgical retractor, said bridge having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said bridge including a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge for releaseably attaching said bridge to said surgical retractor; b) a frame extending upwardly from the patient, said frame having a top and a base; c) an elevator movably attached to said frame so that it can move between said top and said base of said frame, said elevator including a bridge coupling for attaching said elevator to proximal end of said bridge, whereby when said lifting apparatus is attached to said surgical retractor and said elevator moves towards said top of said frame, said elevator lifts said bridge and pivots said retractor upward about said distal coupling; and d) a resilient pad attached to said base of said frame and positioned between said base and the patient, wherein said pad is made from a polymer material which provides sufficient friction between said base and the patient to substantially prevent said base from slipping.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 23, wherein said pad is made from at least one material chosen from the group comprising: olefinic thermoplastic elastomers, silicon rubber, latex rubber, polyurethane, and polyethylene.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 23, wherein said pad covers substantially all of a bottom surface area of said base.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 23, wherein said pad has a durometer between about 20 and about 60 on the Shore D scale.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 23, wherein a bottom surface of said pad is contoured.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
52 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 27, wherein said bottom surface of said pad is curved between two ends of said pad so that more force is distributed at said ends of said pad than to a center of said pad when said lifting apparatus is applying said upward force to said retractor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 23, wherein said pad has a hollow interior designed to receive said base, said hollow interior having a plurality of ribs along an inner surface thereof.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lifting apparatus of claim 23, wherein said pad is releaseably attached to said base.
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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) | 2003-09-05 | 2004-03-06 | 2004-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-05 | 2008-03-06 | 2008-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-05 | 2012-03-06 | 2012-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |