Patent ID: 8202216
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A tissue retractor system comprising: a tubular body having a side wall circumscribing a longitudinal axis and longitudinally extending between open proximal and distal ends of the tubular body, the side wall having formed therein a circumferentially spaced plurality of passages extending between the proximal and distal ends of the tubular body, the distal end of the tubular body being insertable into a patient to a surgical site; a retractor tool having a portion distally extendable through the tubular body and being operative to engage and selectively deflect tissue at the surgical site laterally outwardly beyond the inserted distal end of the tubular body; an elongated blocking member distally insertable through one of the passages in a manner causing a distal end portion of the blocking member to project outwardly beyond the distal end of the tubular body and to block return of the retractor-tool-deflected tissue to its original position relative to the inserted distal end of the tubular body, the distally extendable portion of the retractor tool being configured to permit operative insertion of the elongated blocking member during tissue-deflection use of the retractor tool; and passages with counter-sunk openings at the proximal end.