Patent ID: 6224545
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical retractor apparatus comprising:a U-shaped rack having a first leg, a second leg and a rack crosspiece, wherein the first leg and second leg extend from respective ends of the rack crosspiece, each leg defining a respective transverse slot having open sides, the rack crosspiece defining first and second receiving holes respectively aligned with a longitudinal axis of, and in communication with, one of said transverse slots, the rack crosspiece defining a threaded opening;a U-shaped thread assembly comprising a thread assembly crosspiece having traveler rods attached at or adjacent to opposed ends of the thread assembly crosspiece, a threaded rod rotatably attached to the thread assembly crosspiece, the threaded rod being substantially parallel to the traveler rods and located between the traveler rods, the threaded rod having opposed first and second ends, the threaded rod being connected to the rack crosspiece by the threaded opening of the rack crosspiece, each of the traveler rods slidably connected to a respective one of the legs of the rack assembly by passing through a respective one of the receiving openings into a respective one of the slots;a first blade and a second blade, the first blade having a sidewall opposed to a sidewall of the second blade;at least two threaded screws;a swivel assembly comprising a first swivel and a second swivel, the first swivel has a first blade mount rotatably connected to said U-shaped rack opposite the rack crosspiece, the second swivel has a second blade mount rotatably attached to the ends of the traveler rods opposite the thread assembly crosspiece;the first swivel comprising a first swivel arm having at least one threaded hole for passing a first screw of the at least two threaded screws therethrough, the first threaded screw contacting one of the legs of the rack to adjust an angle of the first blade relative to the legs of the rack;the second swivel having a second arm having at least one threaded hole for passing a second screw of the at least two threaded screws therethrough, the second threaded screw contacting one of the legs of the rack to adjust an angle of the second blade relative to the legs of the rack;wherein the blades respectively have proximal ends attached to the blade mounts and distal ends which are distal to the blade mounts.