Patent ID: 8343048
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A retractor system for holding open an incision at a surgical site, the retractor system comprising: a first retractor blade having a substantially flat rectangular body extending along a first insertion axis from a proximal end to a distal end, and a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge extending parallel to the first insertion axis between the proximal end and the distal end; a second retractor blade having a substantially flat rectangular body extending along a second insertion axis from a proximal end to a distal end, and a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge extending parallel to the second insertion axis between the proximal end and the distal end; wherein the first and second retractor blades include outturned distal tips; wherein the first retractor blade and the second retractor blade are separate components being independently positionable such that an inwardly directed face of the first retractor blade is capable of contacting an inwardly directed face of the second retractor blade to form a first position, and the first retractor blade and the second retractor blade are moveable between the first position in which they are nearer one another and a second position in which they are further from one another; and a third retractor blade having a substantially flat rectangular body extending along a third insertion axis from a proximal end to a distal end and extending normal to the third insertion axis between a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, wherein the proximal end of the first, second and third retractor blades are spaced from the surgical site and the distal end of the first, second and third retractor blades are adjacent the surgical site; wherein the distal end of the third retractor blade being engageable with the proximal end of the first and second retractor blades in distal sliding relationship parallel to the insertion axis; wherein the first lateral edge of the third retractor blade is connectable to the first longitudinal edge of the first retractor blade and the second lateral edge of the third retractor blade is connectable to the second longitudinal edge of the second retractor blade when in the second position to maintain the first and second retractor blades in the second position, wherein the first, second, and third retractor blades defining an open space between them in which a surgical procedure may be carried out.