Patent Publication Number: US-2020289104-A1

Title: Surigical retractor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/817,357 filed Mar. 12, 2020, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure generally relates to surgical retractors, and more particularly but not exclusively, to a surgical retractor that includes blade portions positioned on opposite ends thereof and one or more portions positioned between the blade portions which provide an ergonomic handle design configured to facilitate engagement thereof by a user. 
     Retractors have been commonly used in surgical procedures to provide necessary access to surgical sites by moving, for example, tissue and other anatomical features surrounding a surgical site. During a surgical procedure, it may be desirable to use a retractor to perform multiple different steps which may, for example, require user manipulation of the retractor between different positions depending on the step being performed. During such manipulation, the retractor may be subject to mishandling by the user resulting in failure to complete a particular step and/or unnecessary trauma to the surgical site or areas surrounding the surgical site. 
     In view of the foregoing, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology. 
     The claimed subject matter is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate examples of where the present disclosure may be utilized. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure generally relates to surgical retractors, and more particularly but not exclusively, to a surgical retractor that includes blade portions positioned on opposite ends thereof and one or more portions positioned between the blade portions which provide an ergonomic handle design configured to facilitate engagement thereof by a user. 
     In one embodiment, a surgical retractor includes an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end having a proximal blade portion extending transversely to the longitudinal axis and an opposite distal end having a distal blade portion extending transversely to the longitudinal axis. The elongate body includes a first portion positioned between the proximal end and the distal end having an enlarged lateral width, and a second portion positioned between the first portion and the distal end having an enlarged lateral width. The first portion includes a concave surface positioned on a first side of the longitudinal axis, and the second portion includes a concave surface positioned on an opposite, second side of the longitudinal axis. In one aspect, the distal blade portion extends from the longitudinal axis in a direction opposite of the direction from which the proximal blade portion extends from the longitudinal axis. In this or another aspect, each of the concave surfaces is positioned on an opposite side of the longitudinal axis relative to the respective blade portion positioned closest to it. 
     In another embodiment, a surgical retractor includes an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and an opposite distal end. A proximal blade portion extends transversely to the longitudinal axis from the proximal end, and a distal blade portion extends transversely to the longitudinal axis from the distal end. The elongate body includes a first arcuate surface positioned on an opposite side of the longitudinal axis from the proximal blade portion, and a second arcuate surface positioned between the first arcuate surface and the distal end and on an opposite side of the longitudinal axis from the first arcuate surface and the distal blade portion. 
     In alternative embodiments, assemblies, systems, apparatuses, devices and methods relating to surgical retractors are provided. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the disclosed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the disclosed subject matter. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a surgical retractor. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the surgical retractor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the surgical retractor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a proximal end view of the surgical retractor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, perspective view of the proximal end of the surgical retractor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment surgical retractor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For purposes of promoting an understanding of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the following embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the described subject matter, and such further applications of the disclosed principles as described herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. 
     The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces. 
     By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. 
     The present disclosure generally relates to surgical retractors, and more particularly but not exclusively, to a surgical retractor that includes blade portions positioned on opposite ends thereof and one or more portions positioned between the blade portions which provide an ergonomic handle design configured to facilitate engagement thereof by a user. 
     Turning now generally to  FIGS. 1-5 , there is illustrated a surgical retractor  10  which includes an elongate body  12  which generally extends along a longitudinal axis L between a proximal end  14  and an opposite distal end  16 . Retractor  10  also includes a proximal blade portion  18  and a distal blade portion  20 . Proximal blade portion  18  includes a main body  22  which extends transversely to longitudinal axis L in a first direction from proximal end  14  of elongate body  12 . Proximal blade portion  18  also includes an end portion  24  which extends transversely to main body  22  and terminates at proximal tip  26 . As best seen in  FIG. 5  for example, end portion  24  of proximal blade portion  18  generally has the same width as main body  22 . However, forms in which all or part of end portion  24  tapers toward proximal tip  26  such that at least a portion of end portion  24  has a reduced width relative to main body  22  are possible. Adjacent to proximal tip  26 , end portion  24  includes rounded portions  28 ,  30 , although forms where this portion of end portion  24  is linear are also possible. In the illustrated form for example, end portion  24  also has a reduced thickness relative to main body  22  which, in turn, has a reduced thickness relative to the portion of elongate body  12  from which it extends. However, forms in which the thickness of these elements is different from the illustrated form are contemplated. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2  for example, main body  22  of proximal blade portion  18  extends from elongate body  12  along rounded transition  32  which has a curvilinear configuration. In one or more non-illustrated forms, all or part of transition  32  may have a non-curvilinear configuration however. In the illustrated form, main body  22  of proximal blade portion  18  extends at an oblique angle toward distal end  16  relative to longitudinal axis L However, in other non-illustrated forms, it is contemplated that main body portion  22  of proximal blade portion  18  may extend orthogonally to longitudinal axis L. Without being limited to any particular form, it is contemplated that proximal blade portion  18  may include a length l 1  in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm. In another form, length l 1  may be in the range of 14 mm to 26 mm. In yet another form, length l 1  may be in the range of 16 mm to 22 mm. 
     As indicated above, surgical retractor  10  also includes a distal blade portion  20  positioned opposite of proximal blade portion  18 . Distal blade portion  20  includes a main body  34  which extends transversely to longitudinal axis L on an opposite, second direction relative to proximal blade portion  20  from distal end  16  of elongate body  12 . Distal blade portion  20  also includes an end portion  36  which extends transversely to main body  34  and terminates at a distal tip  38 . As best seen in  FIG. 4  for example, the width of end portion  36  of distal blade portion  20  tapers along chamfered portions  40 ,  42  to distal tip  38  such that end portion  36  has a reduced width relative to main body  34 . However, forms in which all or part of end portion  36  has the same width as main body  34  are possible. In the illustrated form for example, end portion  36  has a reduced thickness relative to main body  34  which, in turn, has a reduced thickness relative to the portion of elongate body  12  from which it extends. However, forms in which the thickness of these elements is different from the illustrated form are contemplated. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2  for example, main body  34  of distal blade portion  20  extends from elongate body  12  along rounded transition  44  which has a curvilinear configuration. In one or more non-illustrated forms, all or part of transition  44  may have a non-curvilinear configuration however. In the illustrated form, main body  34  of distal blade portion  20  extends at an oblique angle toward proximal end  14  relative to longitudinal axis L. However, forms in which main body  34  of distal blade portion  34  extends orthogonally to longitudinal axis L are also possible. Since, as indicated above, main body  22  of proximal blade portion  18  extends at an oblique angle toward distal end  16  relative to longitudinal axis L, it should be appreciated that main body  22  of proximal blade portion  18  extends transversely to main body  34  of distal blade portion. Similarly, it should be understood that axis A 1  along which main body  22  extends and axis A 2  along which main body  34  extends cross one another at an intersection (not shown). While both main body  22  and main body  34  extend obliquely to longitudinal axis L in the illustrated form, it should be appreciated that forms in which one of main body  22  and main body  34  extends obliquely to longitudinal axis L and the other extends orthogonally to longitudinal axis L are contemplated and would still result in a transverse relationship between one another. 
     Without being limited to any particular form, it is contemplated that distal blade portion  20  may include a length l 2  in the range of 30 mm to 60 mm. In another form, length l 2  may be in the range of 35 mm to 50 mm. In yet another form, length l 2  may be in the range of 40 mm to 46 mm. In one form for example, surgical retractor  10  includes a length ratio between l 2  and l 1  in the range of about 3:1 to about 1.8:1. In another form, the length ratio between l 2  and l 1  may be in the range of about 2.5:1 to about 1.9:1. In yet another form, the length ratio between l 2  and l 1  may be in the range of about 2.5:1 to about 2.1:1. In addition, without being limited to any particular form, surgical retractor  10  may include a length ratio between length l 2  and an overall length l 3  ( FIG. 3 ) in the range of about 1:4 to 1:2. In another form, the length ratio between length l 2  and an overall length l 3  ( FIG. 3 ) may be about 1:3. It should be appreciated that the lengths and ratios described herein are exemplary and non-limiting, and that alternative lengths and ratios are contemplated. 
     Positioned between proximal blade portion  18  and distal blade portion  20 , elongate body  12  of surgical retractor  10  includes a handle portion  46  configured to facilitate use and handling of surgical retractor  10 , although use and manipulation of surgical retractor  10  through engagement of other portions thereof are also possible. Handle portion  46  includes a proximal grip  48 , a distal grip  50 , and an intermediate connecting portion  52  positioned between and spacing apart proximal grip  48  and distal grip  50 . A proximal connecting portion or neck  54  extends from proximal grip  48  to proximal end  14  and spaces proximal grip  48  from proximal end  14 , and a distal connecting portion or neck  56  extends from distal grip  50  to distal end  16  and spaces distal grip  50  from distal end  16 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 2  for example, proximal grip  48  includes a concave surface  58  positioned on a first side of longitudinal axis L and distal grip  50  includes a concave surface  60  positioned on an opposite, second side of longitudinal axis L. Concave surface  58  of proximal grip  48  is also positioned on an opposite side of longitudinal axis L from proximal blade portion  18  and concave surface  60  is positioned on an opposite side of longitudinal axis L from distal blade portion  20 . With particular reference to  FIG. 3  for example, proximal grip  48  includes an enlarged lateral width lw 1  relative to proximal neck  54  and intermediate connecting portion  52 , and distal grip  50  includes an enlarged lateral width lw 2  relative to distal neck  56  and intermediate connecting portion  52 . In this arrangement, the enlarged width of proximal grip  48  extends in a plane which is orthogonal to the plane of the concavity of concave surface  58 , and the enlarged width of distal grip  50  extends in a plane which is orthogonal to the plane of the concavity of concave surface  60 . More specifically, each of proximal grip  48  and distal grip  50  includes an enlarged convex configuration where the convexity of the respective grip extends orthogonally to the plane of the concavity of concave surfaces  58 ,  60 . In addition, the lateral width of proximal grip  48  and distal grip  50  represent the widest portions of the illustrated form of surgical retractor  10 . In one form, lateral width lw 1  of proximal grip  48  may be the same as lateral width lw 2  of distal grip  50 , although forms in which lateral width lw 1  of proximal grip  48  is different from lateral width lw 2  of distal grip  50  are contemplated. In one form, lateral width lw 1  and lateral width lw 2  may be in the range of about 5 mm to about 12 mm. In another form, lateral width lw 1  and lateral width lw 2  may be in the range of about 6 mm to about 11 mm. In yet another form, lateral width lw 1  and lateral width lw 2  may be in the range of about 7 mm to about 10 mm, although other variations are contemplated. 
     Intermediate connecting portion  52  includes a first surface  62  positioned opposite of a second surface  64 . With reference to  FIG. 2  for example, it can be seen that first surface  62  includes a linear configuration that extends from concave surface  60  toward proximal end  14 . At a location opposite of concave surface  58 , first surface  62  transitions to an arcuate or curvilinear configuration and combines with surface  66  of proximal neck  54 , positioned opposite of surface  68 , to form a concave surface  70  which is positioned opposite of convex surface  72 . Concave surface  70  is positioned on the same side of longitudinal axis L as concave surface  60 . In addition, the concaveness of concave surface  70  is less than the concaveness of concave surface  60 , although forms in which the concaveness of these surfaces is the same or opposite of the illustrated form are possible. 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates that second surface  64  of intermediate connecting portion  52  includes a linear configuration that extends from concave surface  58  toward distal end  16 . At a location opposite of concave surface  60 , second surface  64  transitions to an arcuate or curvilinear configuration and combines with surface  76  of distal neck  56 , positioned opposite of surface  74 , to form a concave surface  78  which is positioned opposite of convex surface  80 . Concave surface  78  is positioned on the same side of longitudinal axis L as concave surface  58 . In addition, the concaveness of concave surface  78  is less than the concaveness of concave surface  58 , although forms in which the concaveness of these surfaces is the same or opposite of the illustrated form are possible. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 3  for example, proximal neck  54  tapers in width from proximal grip  48  toward proximal blade portion  18 , although portion  54   a  of proximal neck  54  adjacent proximal blade portion  18  has a constant width which is less than that of proximal blade portion  18 . Similarly, distal neck  56  tapers in width from distal grip  50  toward distal blade portion  20 , although portion  56   a  of distal neck  56  adjacent distal blade portion  20  has a constant width which is less than that of distal blade portion  18 . 
     An alternative embodiment surgical retractor  110  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , where like numerals refer to like features previously described. Surgical retractor  110  is substantially similar to surgical retractor  10 . However, in contrast to surgical retractor  10 , surgical retractor  110  includes an intermediate connecting portion  152  which is positioned between and spaces apart proximal grip  48  and distal group  50  and includes a pair of oppositely positioned concave surfaces  162 ,  164 . The presence of concave surface  60  in combination with concave surface  162  results in a projection or nob  182  while the presence of concave surface  58  in combination with concave surface  164  results in a projection or nob  184 . The additional concave surfaces  162 ,  164  and the resulting nobs  182 ,  184  may assist, amongst other things, in the handling and manipulation of surgical retractor  110 . 
     While not previously discussed, it should be appreciated that surgical retractors  10  and  110  may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials. In one non-limiting form, surgical retractors  10  and  110  may be formed of surgical stainless steel, just to identify one exemplary material. Also, surgical retractors  10  and  110  may include one or more features in addition to those illustrated and previously described in this document. For example, one or more portions of surgical retractors  10  and  110  may include knurling or rubber gripping in order to assist with handling thereof. 
     It is contemplated that surgical retractors  10  and  110  may be suitable for use in any of a number of different surgical procedures. In one non-limiting form, a method includes use of surgical retractor  10  and  110  in a mini open carpal tunnel release surgical procedure. 
     The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.