Patent ID: 8979752
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A rib spreader comprising: a stationary arm having a first bent portion; at least one first hook system attached to the stationary arm distal to the first bent portion, wherein the at least one first hook system comprises a first hook and a third hook arranged along a longitudinal direction of the stationary arm distal to the first bent portion and attached so as to be pivotable over a predetermined angular range, the third hook being distal to the first hook and nearer a front end-side of the stationary arm, and each of the first hook and the third hook having a contact surface to be brought into contact with one of two incision planes of a sternum of a human body; a rack which is fixed to a base end of the stationary arm at a predetermined angle; a movable arm which has a second bent portion, and which is supported at a base end thereof by the rack so as to be movable along the rack, to thereby vary a distance from the stationary arm; and at least one second hook system attached to the movable arm distal to the second bent portion, wherein the at least one second hook system comprises a second hook and a fourth hook arranged along a longitudinal direction of the movable arm distal to the second bent portion and attached so as to be pivotable over a predetermined angular range, the fourth hook being distal to the second hook and nearer a front end-side of the movable arm, and each of the second hook and the fourth hook having a contact surface to be brought into contact with the other one of the two incision planes; wherein the rack is curved archwise as a partial hollow cone, and the rack has: wherein the predetermined angles formed by the center axis and the two conical surfaces are set so that a distance between the contact surface of the first hook and the contact surface of the second hook, is made nearly equal to a distance between the contact surface of the third hook and the contact surface of the fourth hook; and wherein the center axis is parallel to a line passing through a base end-side apex of the contact surface of the first hook and a front end-side apex of the contact surface of the third hook, and a line passing through a base end-side apex of the contact surface of the second hook and a front end-side apex of the contact surface of the fourth hook.