Patent ID: 6331158
Filing Date: 2001-12-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A retractor assembly for use in operating on a heart through an incision in a patient comprising:a drive mechanism having attached thereto a first retractor blade and a second retractor blade, said first and second retractor blades adapted to engage opposite sides of said incision, said first retractor blade being moveable relative to said second retractor blade so as to spread apart said incision, at least one of said first and second retractor blades having a rail extending along a length thereof;a base member adapted to cooperatively engage said rail, said base member being slidable along a length of said rail when in an open configuration and adapted to resist any movement relative to said rail when in a locked configuration, said base member having a top section having a ball-shaped member; anda body member moveably attached to said base member and adapted to hold a surgical instrument, said body member having a socket engaging said ball-shaped member, said ball-shaped member and said socket defining the relative movement between said body member and said base member.