Patent ID: 6440064
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for retracting tissue during a surgical procedure, comprising:a toothed rack having a distal end and a proximate end; first and second substantially parallel holding arms both disposed substantially perpendicular to said toothed rack, wherein said first holding arm is fixedly attached to said toothed rack at said distal end, and said second holding arm is slidably attached to and moves along said toothed rack; a first clamp having a first shaft; a second clamp having a second shaft; wherein at least one of said first and second holding arms is shaped as a hollow rod formed by parallel side walls that extend along a longitudinal axis, and said at least one of said first and second holding arms includes A) a plurality of openings in at least one of said sidewalls, each of said openings sized to accept either of said first and second shafts and to attach said associated clamp to said one of said first and second holding arms, wherein said first shaft is placed into a first of said plurality of openings and said second shaft is placed into a second of said plurality of said openings; and B) a blade shaped locking arm that is configured and arranged to slide within said hollow rod between a first position and a second position, and includes a first notch and a second notch both on an exterior edge of said blade shaped locking arm, which secures both first shaft and said second shaft to said holding arm as said locking arm is moved into said second position.