Patent ID: 7186215

Claim:
A lifting tool adapted for use in combination with a chest retractor to separate and lift one side of an incision in a chest cavity to provide greater access and visibility to a surgeon, comprising: a main body having a generally C-shaped configuration, said main body comprising a foot member, an elevation wall member joined to said foot member, an edge flange member joined to said foot member, and a mounting flange member joined to said elevation wall member; wherein said elevation wall member comprises an upper wall member joined to a lower wall member, said upper wall member being joined to said mounting flange member and said lower wall member being joined to said foot member; and a pair of extended hook members mounted to said mounting flange member, each of said extended hook members comprising a hook end and a body portion; wherein said edge flange is joined to said foot member at an interior angle of about 140 degrees, said foot member is joined to said lower wall member at an internal angle of about 90 degrees, said lower wall member is joined to said upper wall member at an internal angle of about 122 degrees, and said upper wall member is joined to said mounting flange member at an interior angle of about 90 degrees.