Patent ID: 9138137
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical retractor system for maintaining a surgical corridor, the system comprising a surgical retractor device for insertion through a skin surface to a point of surgical interest, the surgical retractor device comprising: a tube of thermally responsive material that is pliable and expansive when heated to a transition temperature that is above body temperature, and that is rigid when cooled below the transition temperature; a balloon that is removably fitted in the tube; and an elastic thermal barrier that is fitted around the tube to thermally insulate the tube from surrounding tissue; wherein the surgical retractor device can be inserted through the skin surface to the point of surgical interest while the tube has a relatively narrow diameter compared to its diameter in an expanded state; and wherein, while the surgical retractor device is inserted to the point of surgical interest, the balloon and the tube can be expanded while the tube remains pliable, and the expanded tube can be cooled so as to render the tube rigid.