Patent ID: 8007435

Claim:
A retractor device for retracting neck tissue, comprising: a first arm; a second arm; and a connecting portion connected to the first arm and the second arm, wherein: the connecting portion is adjustable and configured to maintain an end of the first arm at a selected distance from an end of the second arm wherein the connecting portion includes a threaded rod connected to a hinged bar, and each arm has a blade at a distal end from the connecting portion, wherein the blade extends away from a plane defined by the first arm and the second arm, the blade is convex when viewed from a centerline of the device and the blade has a longitudinal width of between about 0.3 inches and about 1.0 inches and a length of between about 0.3 inches and about 1.2 inches such that the blades are configured to retract skin, soft tissue, and muscle to expose a patient's trachea.