Patent ID: 6468206
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An illuminated surgical retractor comprising:a handle having a first handle end portion and a second handle end portion; a first blade section having a first blade proximal end portion and a first blade distal end portion with a first blade inner surface extending between the first blade proximal end portion and the first blade distal end portion and said second handle end portion of said handle connected to said first blade distal end portion of said first blade section and wherein said first blade section is sized to be received in a subcutaneous space of a patient between a vessel and subcutaneous tissue such that said handle forms an acute angle with said first blade section; second blade section having a second blade proximal end portion and a second blade distal end portion with a second blade outer surface extending between the second blade proximal end portion and the second blade distal end portion, a second blade inner surface extending between the second blade proximal end portion and the second blade distal end portion, the second blade distal end portion of said second blade section defining an illumination input end portion; a connecting member to connect said second blade section to said first blade section such that said first and second blade sections are substantially parallel; and a connector coupled to the illumination input end portion, said connector sized to optically couple the illumination input end portion to a source of illumination so that said second blade is substantially illuminated.