Patent ID: 8562522

Claim:
A surgical retractor ( 2 ) comprising: first and second handles ( 4 , 5 ) mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot pin ( 6 ) having a pivot axis, the first and second handles ( 4 , 5 ) being constructed and arranged to simultaneously be held by a single hand of a user, the first and second handles ( 4 , 5 ) extending along a first longitudinal axis; first and second arm members ( 3 ) each terminating at a distal end in a downwardly depending blade ( 1 ) and attachable respectively to the first and second handles ( 4 , 5 ) at a proximal end, the first and second arm members ( 3 ) extending along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis, each arm member ( 3 ) in a closed position being in a position substantially parallel to the pivot axis and to each other; wherein application of pressure to the first and second handles ( 4 , 5 ) by the single hand of the user causes each handle ( 4 , 5 ) and arm member ( 3 ) to rotate about the pivot axis such that each handle ( 4 , 5 ) rotates towards the other handle ( 5 , 4 ) which causes the arm members ( 3 ) to move apart in different planes so that in use in a surgical site the blades ( 1 ) abut against and retract tissue matter ( 22 ).