Patent ID: 6416470
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical retractor for retracting generally opposed body tissue edges away from each other, said retractor comprising:an elongated guide member; a first spreader arm and a second spreader arm, said first and second spreader arms being mechanically coupled to said guide member so as to be in a generally perpendicular relationship relative to said guide member and in a generally opposed relationship relative to each other, said first and second spreader arms being movable relative to each other along said guide member between a first position wherein said spreader arms are in a substantially adjacent relationship relative to each other and a second position wherein said spreader arms are in a generally spaced apart relationship relative to each other; an interfacing member for allowing guided movement of said first spreader arm relative to said guide member and providing a friction-reducing mechanical interface between said first spreader arm and said guide member; said interfacing member being mechanically coupled to said first spreader arm and in rolling contact with said guide member as said first spreader arm moves relative to said guide member.