Patent ID: 8702600
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for enlarging an incision, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of tissue engaging members each having proximal and distal end portions and a predetermined length extending therebetween; an elongate body for guiding the tissue engaging members into an incision, the elongate body having leading and trailing end portions and a longitudinal axis extending therealong; a plurality of slide connections between the tissue engaging members and the elongate body configured to permit the tissue engaging members to slide along the elongate body and be connected thereto in a predetermined operative position; and interengaging axially extending surfaces of the tissue engaging members and the elongate body at each of the slide connections with the interengaging axially extending surfaces of the tissue engaging member and the elongate body at each slide connection extending for the majority of the predetermined length of the respective tissue engaging member with the tissue engaging members in the operative position, wherein the tissue engaging members and the elongate body comprise cooperating stop portions configured to restrict movement of the tissue engaging members along the elongate body with the stop portions being disposed axially between the slide connections and the distal end portions of the tissue engaging members with the tissue engaging members connected to the elongate body.