Patent ID: 8556809
Filing Date: 2013-10-15
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical tissue retractor for use in aortic or pulmonary valve surgery comprising a retractor assembly including a retractor support frame having an outer periphery, a plurality of radially adjustable retractor blades configured to engage and retain a heart valve open during a surgical procedure mounted on said retractor support frame; and a retractor coupling assembly including a retractor connector adjustably coupled to said retractor support frame by a support frame mount to operatively position and maintain said radially adjustable retractor blades in place during the surgical procedure, wherein said retractor support frame comprises a circular ring including a plurality of holes or channels to receive a portion of a corresponding radially adjustable retractor blade therethrough, wherein each said radially adjustable retractor blade comprises a valve engaging blade element coupled to said retractor support frame by a corresponding rod extending through a corresponding hole or channel formed through said retractor support frame, wherein each said rod comprises an elongated rod such that each said radially adjustable retractor blade is movable axially relative to said circular ring of said retractor support frame whereby each said valve engaging blade element is capable of engaging the pulmonary or heart valve to retain the pulmonary or heart valve in an open position during a surgical procedure, and each rod further including a substantially v-shaped retractor blade retainer for each said radially adjustable retractor blade to retain each corresponding elongated rod and valve engaging blade element of each radially adjustable retractor blade in operative position during a surgical procedure once each radially adjustable retractor blade is adjusted relative to said retractor support frame, wherein each said retractor blade retainer comprises a first retainer or locking element disposed to engage said outer periphery of said retractor support frame and a second retainer or locking element movable between a first or locked position and a second or unlocked position relative to said first retainer or locking element to lock or secure the corresponding radially adjustable retainer blade in place when in said first or locked position and to unlock the corresponding radially adjustable retainer blade to permit radial adjustment of the corresponding radially adjustable retainer blades when in said second or unlocked position.