US3731673A - Self-retaining muscle retractor - Google Patents

Self-retaining muscle retractor Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3731673A
US3731673A US00128954A US3731673DA US3731673A US 3731673 A US3731673 A US 3731673A US 00128954 A US00128954 A US 00128954A US 3731673D A US3731673D A US 3731673DA US 3731673 A US3731673 A US 3731673A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
brace
bone
self
extremity
lever arm
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00128954A
Inventor
W Halloran
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3731673A publication Critical patent/US3731673A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/02Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for holding wounds open; Tractors

Definitions

  • a self-retaining muscle retractor including a pair of elongated members formed on their respective one extremities with bone-engaging portions and on their respective opposite extremities with lever arms.
  • One of the lever arms has one end of a rigid brace pivotally connected thereto and the free end of such brace is engageable with a latching element included on the other lever arm whereby the bone-engaging portions may be inserted in an incision and engaged on opposite sides of a bone, the lever arms spread apart to retract the muscles away from such bone and the free end of the brace engaged with the latching element to maintain the incision open for convenient access to the bone.
  • the present invention relates generally to muscle retractors for maintaining an incision open for convenient access to a bone. 4 2. Description of the Prior Art Muscle retractors have been proposed which include a pair of arms having interconnecting ends whereby the arms may be inserted in an incision, extended along opposite sides of a bone, then spread apart and interconnected underneath the bone to hold such arms spaced apart and the incision open. A retractor of this type is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,695,607. Muscle retractors of this type suffer the disadvantage of necessitating stripping flesh from the underside of the bone for receipt of the interconnecting arms thus increasing the amount of surgical work required and prolonging the operating time.
  • the present invention is characterized by a pair of elongated retractor members formed on their lower ends with bone-engaging portions and having their upper extremities defining lever arms.
  • a brace is pivotally connected on one end to the upper extremity of one of the lever arms and has its free end engageable with latching elements on the other lever arm whereby the bone-engaging portions may be inserted in an incision, engaged on opposite sides of a bone, the lever arms spaced apart and the free end of the brace en gaged with a latching element to maintain the incision open for convenient access to the bone.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a self-retaining muscle retractor which eliminates the necessity of stripping the bone around its entire periphery thus enabling use in the hip area and other areas where the underside of the bone cannot be readily stripped.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one arm member included in a self-retaining muscle retractor embodying the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of a patients thigh having a self-retaining muscle retractor embodying the present invention being utilized to hold an incision open;
  • FIG. 3 is a top view, in reduced scale, of the selfretaining muscle retractor shown in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of the self-retaining muscle retractor of present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a modification of the self-retaining muscle retractor shown in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the self-retaining muscle retractor of present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6 and partially broken away;
  • FIG. 8 is a detailed view, in enlarged scale, of a portion of the muscle retractor shown in FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 9 is a detailed view, in enlarged scale, of another portion of the muscle retractor shown in FIG. 6.
  • the self-retaining muscle retractor shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 includes arm members A and B formed with bone-engaging tabs 11 and 13 on their lower ends and having their upper extremities in the form of respective lever arms 15 and 17.
  • a rigid bail type brace Connected to the upper end of the lever arm 15 is a rigid bail type brace, generally designated 21 which has its free end 23 engageable with serrations 25 included in the lever arm 17.
  • the retractor may be utilized by inserting the bone-engaging portions 11 and 13 into an incision 29 and on opposite sides of a bone 31, the arms 15 and 17 then spread apart to retract the muscles away from such bone and to enable the free end 23 of the brace 21 to be engaged with a selected one of the serrations 25 to maintain such arms A and B spaced apart and the incision 29 open for convenient access to the bone 31.
  • the tabs 11 and 13 are curved downwardly and inwardly for complemental engagement with the arcuatein-cross section bone 31. Included above the tabs 11 and 13 are respective enlarged pad portions 35 and 37 which serve to hold the flesh and skin back from the incision 29.
  • the pad portions 35 and 37 include apertures 39 spaced along their peripheries for receipt of towel clamps 44 (FIG. 3).
  • the lever arms 15 and 17 bend outwardly as they extend upwardly above the respective pad portions 35 and 37 so they will be spaced apart when installed as shown in FIG. 2, to provide sufficient maneuvering room for the surgeon operating on the bone 31.
  • a bail type brace 41 similar to, but longer than, the brace 21 and having its free end 43 engageable with serrations 45 included in the upper extremity of the lever arm 15.
  • the brace 41 may be utilized as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2 to hold the arms 11 and 13 spaced farther apart than would the brace 21 to thereby maintain the incision 29 farther open.
  • a coupling 47 is formed from sheet material and defines a through passage 49 which receives the free ends 23 and 43 of the respective braces 21 and 41 whereby the arms A and B may be spread apart and such free ends of the braces received in the coupling 47 and butted together to maintain the upper ends of the lever arms 15 and 17 spaced apart even farther than the brace 41.
  • the arm 51 shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the arm shown in FIG. 1 except that a brace 53 is received within a cutout 55 and is pivotally connected on its upper end to the arm 51 by means of a transverse pivot pin 57.
  • the subject retractor may be utilized on a hip or femur and the incision 29 for gaining access to the bone 31 is made and the top portion of the bone 31 stripped, such stripping extending downwardly along the sides 61 and 63 (FIG. 2) as shown in FIG. 2 for receipt of the bone-engaging tabs 11 and 13.
  • the arms A and B are then inserted, the tabs 11 and 13 positioned at the sides 61 and 63 of the bone 31, and the lever arms 15 and 17 grasped to pull the muscles and flesh 67 and 69, on opposite sides of the incision 29, apart.
  • a selected one of the braces 21 or 41 may then be pivoted into locking position with the serrations 25 or 45 in the opposed arm to maintain the incision 29 open to the desired degree. The surgeon can then perform his operation on the bone 31 without the necessity of an assistant holding the arms A and B apart.
  • the towel clamps 44 may be inserted through the skin and through the apertures 39 to maintain the arms A and B stationary.
  • the muscle retractor shown in FIGS. 6-9 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 except that the lever arm 15 is formed in its upper extremity with an upwardly opening slot 75 which receives one end of a rigid brace, generally designated 77, such brace being pivotable supported therein by means of a transverse pivot pin 79 (FIG. 8).
  • the upper extremity of the lever arm 17 is also formed with an upwardly opening slot 81 for receipt of the free end of such brace 77, such free end of the brace 77 being formed with a series of downwardly opening slots 85 for receipt over the lever arm 17 and cooperating to form downwardly projecting teeth 87.
  • a U-shaped locking clasp 91 is formed at its open end with inwardly turned confronting pivot legs 93 which are received in opposite ends of a bore formed in the lever arm 17 to provide for free pivoting of such clasp.
  • the free extremity of the clasp 91 is formed on its opposite sides with transverse inwardly projecting bearing elements 95 which are selectively received in a latching groove 97 formed on the side of the lever arm 17 opposite that to which the clasp 91 is connected.
  • the self-retaining muscle retractor shown in FIGS. 6-9 is utilized by inserting the bone-engaging tabs 11 and 13 in an elongated incision 101 to be engaged on opposite sides of the injured bone 103 to separate the muscles therefrom.
  • the upper ends of the lever arms 15 and 17 may then be spread apart the desired distance to spread the muscles away from the injured bone 103 and the free extremity of the brace 77 swung downwardly into the upwardly opening slot 81 to engage the appropriate notch 85 with the lever arm 17 to maintain the arms 15 and 17 in the desired spaced apart relationship.
  • the locking clasp 91 may be swung over to the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 to lock the brace 77 in its retaining position.
  • the selfretaining muscle retractor of present invention provides a convenient means for holding an incision open to gain access to a bone without the necessity of having an assistant present. This is of frequent advantage in outlying areas where assistants and interns are not readily available. Also, the bone need only be stripped on the top side. This decreases the operating time and makes it feasible, if desirable, to shift the retractor longitudinally along the bone during the operation. Further, there are no holding members, such as chains,
  • a self-retaining muscle retractor comprising:
  • first rigid, elongated member formed on one extremity with a bone-engaging portion, its other extremity being a first lever arm, said first lever arm including first brace-engaging means and a latch element;
  • a second rigid, elongated member formed on its one extremity with a bone-engaging portion, its other extremity being a second lever arm including a second brace-engaging means and a second latch element;
  • a first brace comprising a rigid link pivotally engaged on one end with said first brace-engaging means and engageable on its opposite end with said second latch element;
  • a second brace comprising a rigid link pivotally engaged on one end with said second brace-engaging means and engageable on its opposite end with said first latch element whereby said respective bone-engaging portions of said first and second members may be inserted into an incision to engage opposite sides of an exposed bone and said other ends of said arms spread apart and said opposite ends of said first and second braces selectively engaged with said respective second and first latch elements to maintain said lever arms spread apart.
  • said first and second arms are each formed with an enlarged pad portion adjacent said bone-engaging portion.
  • said second brace is longer than said first brace.
  • a self-retaining muscle retractor comprising:
  • first rigid, elongated member formed on one extremity with a bone-engaging portion, its other extremity being a first lever arm, said first lever arm including brace-engaging means;
  • a second rigid, elongated member separate from said first member and formed on one extremity with a bone-engaging portion, its other extremity being a second lever arm;
  • brace means may hold said members braced apart at different angles.
  • said first and second members include clamp-receiving apertures therein adjacent said one extremities.
  • a self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 5 wherein:
  • said brace engaging means is in the form of pivot means connecting said one extremity of said brace to said first lever arm;
  • said latch element is in the form of notch means formed on the free extremity of said brace means.
  • said notch means includes a plurality of notches spaced along said free extremity.
  • said first lever arm is formed with an upwardly opening slot for receipt of said one end of said brace means
  • said pivot means is in the form of a pivot pin projecting across said slot and through said brace means.

Abstract

A self-retaining muscle retractor including a pair of elongated members formed on their respective one extremities with boneengaging portions and on their respective opposite extremities with lever arms. One of the lever arms has one end of a rigid brace pivotally connected thereto and the free end of such brace is engageable with a latching element included on the other lever arm whereby the bone-engaging portions may be inserted in an incision and engaged on opposite sides of a bone, the lever arms spread apart to retract the muscles away from such bone and the free end of the brace engaged with the latching element to maintain the incision open for convenient access to the bone.

Description

United States Patent 1 Halloran [54] SELF-RETAINING MUSCLE RETRACTOR [76] Inventor: William X. Halloran, 440 Fair Drive, Costa Messa, Calif. 92626 [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 773,750, Nov. 6,
1968, abandoned.
[52] U.S. Cl ..128/20, 128/345 [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lb 17/02, A6lm 29/00 [58] Field of Search ..l28/003, 020, 345
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,695,607 11/1954 Hipps et al. ..128/O20 FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 59,995 7/1942 Denmark 1 28/003 51 May 8, 1973 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Girard, P. M. A Self-Retaining Retractor Useful In Open Operations On Bone," In Jour. Bone and Joint Surg. 1934, p. 612.
Primary ExaminerChanning L Pace AttorneyFulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee & Utecht I 57 ABSTRACT A self-retaining muscle retractor including a pair of elongated members formed on their respective one extremities with bone-engaging portions and on their respective opposite extremities with lever arms. One of the lever arms has one end of a rigid brace pivotally connected thereto and the free end of such brace is engageable with a latching element included on the other lever arm whereby the bone-engaging portions may be inserted in an incision and engaged on opposite sides of a bone, the lever arms spread apart to retract the muscles away from such bone and the free end of the brace engaged with the latching element to maintain the incision open for convenient access to the bone.
12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED W 1973 SHEET 1 OF 2 F l G 2 INVENTOR. WILL/AM X. HALLORAN BY My Arron/vars FIG. l%
PATENT-ED 3.731.673
' sum 2 OF 2 I N VENTOR.
ML 4 MM )6 I144 L GPA/V BY? J SELF-RETAINING MUSCLE RETRACTOR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 773,750 filed Nov. 6, 1968 and now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to muscle retractors for maintaining an incision open for convenient access to a bone. 4 2. Description of the Prior Art Muscle retractors have been proposed which include a pair of arms having interconnecting ends whereby the arms may be inserted in an incision, extended along opposite sides of a bone, then spread apart and interconnected underneath the bone to hold such arms spaced apart and the incision open. A retractor of this type is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,695,607. Muscle retractors of this type suffer the disadvantage of necessitating stripping flesh from the underside of the bone for receipt of the interconnecting arms thus increasing the amount of surgical work required and prolonging the operating time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is characterized by a pair of elongated retractor members formed on their lower ends with bone-engaging portions and having their upper extremities defining lever arms. A brace is pivotally connected on one end to the upper extremity of one of the lever arms and has its free end engageable with latching elements on the other lever arm whereby the bone-engaging portions may be inserted in an incision, engaged on opposite sides of a bone, the lever arms spaced apart and the free end of the brace en gaged with a latching element to maintain the incision open for convenient access to the bone.
An object of the present invention is to provide a self-retaining muscle retractor which eliminates the necessity of stripping the bone around its entire periphery thus enabling use in the hip area and other areas where the underside of the bone cannot be readily stripped.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the consideration of the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one arm member included in a self-retaining muscle retractor embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of a patients thigh having a self-retaining muscle retractor embodying the present invention being utilized to hold an incision open;
FIG. 3 is a top view, in reduced scale, of the selfretaining muscle retractor shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of the self-retaining muscle retractor of present invention;
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a modification of the self-retaining muscle retractor shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the self-retaining muscle retractor of present invention;
FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6 and partially broken away;
FIG. 8 is a detailed view, in enlarged scale, of a portion of the muscle retractor shown in FIG. 6; and
FIG. 9 is a detailed view, in enlarged scale, of another portion of the muscle retractor shown in FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The self-retaining muscle retractor shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 includes arm members A and B formed with bone-engaging tabs 11 and 13 on their lower ends and having their upper extremities in the form of respective lever arms 15 and 17. Connected to the upper end of the lever arm 15 is a rigid bail type brace, generally designated 21 which has its free end 23 engageable with serrations 25 included in the lever arm 17. Thus, the retractor may be utilized by inserting the bone-engaging portions 11 and 13 into an incision 29 and on opposite sides of a bone 31, the arms 15 and 17 then spread apart to retract the muscles away from such bone and to enable the free end 23 of the brace 21 to be engaged with a selected one of the serrations 25 to maintain such arms A and B spaced apart and the incision 29 open for convenient access to the bone 31.
The tabs 11 and 13 are curved downwardly and inwardly for complemental engagement with the arcuatein-cross section bone 31. Included above the tabs 11 and 13 are respective enlarged pad portions 35 and 37 which serve to hold the flesh and skin back from the incision 29. The pad portions 35 and 37 include apertures 39 spaced along their peripheries for receipt of towel clamps 44 (FIG. 3). The lever arms 15 and 17 bend outwardly as they extend upwardly above the respective pad portions 35 and 37 so they will be spaced apart when installed as shown in FIG. 2, to provide sufficient maneuvering room for the surgeon operating on the bone 31.
Pivotally attached to the upper end of the lever arm 17 is a bail type brace 41 similar to, but longer than, the brace 21 and having its free end 43 engageable with serrations 45 included in the upper extremity of the lever arm 15. Thus, the brace 41 may be utilized as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2 to hold the arms 11 and 13 spaced farther apart than would the brace 21 to thereby maintain the incision 29 farther open.
Referring to FIG. 5, a coupling 47 is formed from sheet material and defines a through passage 49 which receives the free ends 23 and 43 of the respective braces 21 and 41 whereby the arms A and B may be spread apart and such free ends of the braces received in the coupling 47 and butted together to maintain the upper ends of the lever arms 15 and 17 spaced apart even farther than the brace 41.
The arm 51 shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the arm shown in FIG. 1 except that a brace 53 is received within a cutout 55 and is pivotally connected on its upper end to the arm 51 by means of a transverse pivot pin 57.
In operation, the subject retractor may be utilized on a hip or femur and the incision 29 for gaining access to the bone 31 is made and the top portion of the bone 31 stripped, such stripping extending downwardly along the sides 61 and 63 (FIG. 2) as shown in FIG. 2 for receipt of the bone-engaging tabs 11 and 13. The arms A and B are then inserted, the tabs 11 and 13 positioned at the sides 61 and 63 of the bone 31, and the lever arms 15 and 17 grasped to pull the muscles and flesh 67 and 69, on opposite sides of the incision 29, apart. A selected one of the braces 21 or 41 may then be pivoted into locking position with the serrations 25 or 45 in the opposed arm to maintain the incision 29 open to the desired degree. The surgeon can then perform his operation on the bone 31 without the necessity of an assistant holding the arms A and B apart.
Also, the towel clamps 44 may be inserted through the skin and through the apertures 39 to maintain the arms A and B stationary.
The muscle retractor shown in FIGS. 6-9 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 except that the lever arm 15 is formed in its upper extremity with an upwardly opening slot 75 which receives one end of a rigid brace, generally designated 77, such brace being pivotable supported therein by means of a transverse pivot pin 79 (FIG. 8). The upper extremity of the lever arm 17 is also formed with an upwardly opening slot 81 for receipt of the free end of such brace 77, such free end of the brace 77 being formed with a series of downwardly opening slots 85 for receipt over the lever arm 17 and cooperating to form downwardly projecting teeth 87.
Referring to FIG. 9, a U-shaped locking clasp 91 is formed at its open end with inwardly turned confronting pivot legs 93 which are received in opposite ends of a bore formed in the lever arm 17 to provide for free pivoting of such clasp. The free extremity of the clasp 91 is formed on its opposite sides with transverse inwardly projecting bearing elements 95 which are selectively received in a latching groove 97 formed on the side of the lever arm 17 opposite that to which the clasp 91 is connected.
In operation, the self-retaining muscle retractor shown in FIGS. 6-9 is utilized by inserting the bone-engaging tabs 11 and 13 in an elongated incision 101 to be engaged on opposite sides of the injured bone 103 to separate the muscles therefrom. The upper ends of the lever arms 15 and 17 may then be spread apart the desired distance to spread the muscles away from the injured bone 103 and the free extremity of the brace 77 swung downwardly into the upwardly opening slot 81 to engage the appropriate notch 85 with the lever arm 17 to maintain the arms 15 and 17 in the desired spaced apart relationship. If desirable, the locking clasp 91 may be swung over to the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 to lock the brace 77 in its retaining position.
From the foregoing it will be apparent that the selfretaining muscle retractor of present invention provides a convenient means for holding an incision open to gain access to a bone without the necessity of having an assistant present. This is of frequent advantage in outlying areas where assistants and interns are not readily available. Also, the bone need only be stripped on the top side. This decreases the operating time and makes it feasible, if desirable, to shift the retractor longitudinally along the bone during the operation. Further, there are no holding members, such as chains,
which must be extended around under the member in which the incision is made thus eliminating the likelihood of infection and decreasing the amount of body area that must be prepared for surgery.
Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of the invention.
ICLAIM:
1. A self-retaining muscle retractor comprising:
a first rigid, elongated member formed on one extremity with a bone-engaging portion, its other extremity being a first lever arm, said first lever arm including first brace-engaging means and a latch element;
a second rigid, elongated member formed on its one extremity with a bone-engaging portion, its other extremity being a second lever arm including a second brace-engaging means and a second latch element;
a first brace comprising a rigid link pivotally engaged on one end with said first brace-engaging means and engageable on its opposite end with said second latch element;
a second brace comprising a rigid link pivotally engaged on one end with said second brace-engaging means and engageable on its opposite end with said first latch element whereby said respective bone-engaging portions of said first and second members may be inserted into an incision to engage opposite sides of an exposed bone and said other ends of said arms spread apart and said opposite ends of said first and second braces selectively engaged with said respective second and first latch elements to maintain said lever arms spread apart.
2. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
said first and second arms are each formed with an enlarged pad portion adjacent said bone-engaging portion.
3. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 1 that includes:
a coupling for receiving said opposite ends of said first and second braces to maintain them butted together and said members angled apart at a selected angle.
4. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
said second brace is longer than said first brace.
5. A self-retaining muscle retractor comprising:
a first rigid, elongated member formed on one extremity with a bone-engaging portion, its other extremity being a first lever arm, said first lever arm including brace-engaging means;
a second rigid, elongated member separate from said first member and formed on one extremity with a bone-engaging portion, its other extremity being a second lever arm;
rigid elongated brace means interposed between said lever arms and engageable on one end with said brace-engaging means and on its opposite end with said second lever arm; and
a latch element for engagement between said opposite end of said brace means and'said second lever arm whereby said respective bone-engaging claim 5 that includes:
a plurality of latching elements spaced along said second lever arm for being selectively engaged by said opposite end of said brace means whereby said brace means may hold said members braced apart at different angles.
7. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 5 wherein:
said first and second members include clamp-receiving apertures therein adjacent said one extremities.
8. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 5 that includes:
means for securing said opposite end of said brace means in engagement with said latching element. 9. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 5 wherein:
said brace engaging means is in the form of pivot means connecting said one extremity of said brace to said first lever arm; and
said latch element is in the form of notch means formed on the free extremity of said brace means.
10. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in 10 claim 9 wherein:
said notch means includes a plurality of notches spaced along said free extremity. 11. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 9 wherein:
said first lever arm is formed with an upwardly opening slot for receipt of said one end of said brace means; and
said pivot means is in the form of a pivot pin projecting across said slot and through said brace means.
12. A selfretaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 9 that includes:
means for securing said opposite end of said brace means in engagement with said latching element.
l IR i

Claims (12)

1. A self-retaining muscle retractor comprising: a first rigid, elongated member formed on one extremity with a bone-engaging portion, its other extremity being a first lever arm, said first lever arm including first brace-engaging means and a latch element; a second rigid, elongated member formed on its one extremity with a bone-engaging portion, its other extremity being a second lever arm including a second brace-engaging means and a second latch element; a first brace comprising a rigid link pivotally engaged on one end with said first brace-engaging means and engageable on its opposite end with said second latch element; a second brace comprising a rigid link pivotally engaged on one end with said second brace-engaging means and engageable on its opposite end with said first latch element whereby said respective bone-engaging portions of said first and second members may be inserted into an incision to engage opposite sides of an exposed bone and said other ends of said arms spread apart and said opposite ends of said first and second braces selectively engaged with said respective second and first latch elements to maintain said lever arms spread apart.
2. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first and second arms are each formed with an enlarged pad portion adjacent said bone-engaging portion.
3. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 1 that includes: a coupling for receiving said opposite ends of said first and second braces to maintain them butted together and said members angled apart at a selected angle.
4. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said second brace is longer than said first brace.
5. A self-retaining muscle retractor comprising: a first rigid, elongated member formed on one extremity with a bone-engaging portion, its other extremity being a first lever arm, said first lever arm including brace-engaging means; a second rigid, elongated member separate from said first member and formed on one extremity with a bone-engaging portion, its other extremity being a second lever arm; rigid elongated brace means interposed between said lever arms and engageable on one end with said brace-engaging means and on its opposite end with said second lever arm; and a latch element for engagement between said opposite end of said brace means and said second lever arm whereby said respective bone-engaging portions of said first and second members may be inserted into an incision to engage opposite sides of an exposed bone and, said other ends of said lever arms spread apart, said brace means interposed between said lever arms with said one extremity thereof engaged with said brace-engaging means and said latch element engaging said opposite end with said second lever arm to maintain said lever arms spread apart.
6. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 5 that includes: a plurality of latching elements spaced along said second lever arm for being selectively engaged by said opposite end of said brace means whereby said brace means may hold said members braced apart at different angles.
7. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said first and second members include clamp-receiving apertures therein adjacent said one extremities.
8. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 5 that includes: means for securing said opposite end of said brace means in engagement with said latching element.
9. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said brace engaging means is in the form of pivot means connecting said one extremity of said brace to said first lever arm; and said latch element is in the form of notch means formed on the free extremity of said brace means.
10. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 9 wherein: said notch means includes a plurality of notches spaced along said free extremity.
11. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 9 wherein: said first lever arm is formed with an upwardly opening slot for receipt of said one end of said brace means; and said pivot means is in the form of a pivot pin projecting across said slot and through said brace means.
12. A self-retaining muscle retractor as set forth in claim 9 that includes: means for securing said opposite end of said brace means in engagement with said latching element.
US00128954A 1971-03-29 1971-03-29 Self-retaining muscle retractor Expired - Lifetime US3731673A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12895471A 1971-03-29 1971-03-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3731673A true US3731673A (en) 1973-05-08

Family

ID=22437784

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00128954A Expired - Lifetime US3731673A (en) 1971-03-29 1971-03-29 Self-retaining muscle retractor

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3731673A (en)

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4151838A (en) * 1977-06-17 1979-05-01 Crew John R Internal mammary artery sternal retractor
US4206750A (en) * 1977-12-15 1980-06-10 Seppo Kaivola Speculum for gynecological endoscopy examination
US4232660A (en) * 1979-03-26 1980-11-11 Coles Robert L Winged irrigating surgical retractor
US4747395A (en) * 1983-08-24 1988-05-31 Brief L Paul Surgical retractor for bone surgery
US5027793A (en) * 1990-03-30 1991-07-02 Boehringer Mannheim Corp. Surgical retractor
US5167223A (en) * 1989-09-08 1992-12-01 Tibor Koros Heart valve retractor and sternum spreader surgical instrument
US5217463A (en) * 1990-04-11 1993-06-08 Mikhail W F Michael Method for performing knee surgery and retractors for use therein
US5303694A (en) * 1993-02-09 1994-04-19 Mikhail Michael W E Method for performing hip surgery and retractor for use therein
US5380331A (en) * 1990-04-11 1995-01-10 Mikhail; W. E. Michael Method for performing knee surgery and retractors for use therein
US5520608A (en) * 1994-04-28 1996-05-28 Johnson & Johnson Professional, Inc. Orthopaedic retractor blade
US5618260A (en) * 1994-04-29 1997-04-08 Aesculap Ag Surgical instrument
US6126660A (en) * 1998-07-29 2000-10-03 Sofamor Danek Holdings, Inc. Spinal compression and distraction devices and surgical methods
US6409731B1 (en) * 2001-07-30 2002-06-25 Global Orthopaedic Solutions, L.L.C. Bone leveler apparatus
US7077805B1 (en) * 2002-03-29 2006-07-18 Si-1, Inc. Ligament retractor assembly for use in performing knee surgery
US20070219415A1 (en) * 2006-03-14 2007-09-20 Heinz Eric S Interoperative monitoring of intramuscular pressure during retraction
US20090216089A1 (en) * 2005-11-21 2009-08-27 The Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia Foot retractors
US20110054262A1 (en) * 2009-09-02 2011-03-03 American Hand Institute, Llc Apparatus and method for retraction of tissue
US10687797B2 (en) 2008-12-18 2020-06-23 Howmedica Osteonics Corp. Lateral access system for the lumbar spine
US11020145B2 (en) 2017-08-17 2021-06-01 Stryker European Holdings I, Llc Expanders for rod retraction
US11166709B2 (en) 2016-08-23 2021-11-09 Stryker European Operations Holdings Llc Instrumentation and methods for the implantation of spinal implants
US11191532B2 (en) 2018-03-30 2021-12-07 Stryker European Operations Holdings Llc Lateral access retractor and core insertion
US20220008054A1 (en) * 2020-07-10 2022-01-13 Alidad Ghiassi Single use radiolucent stabilizing retractor system
US11413029B2 (en) 2018-10-24 2022-08-16 Stryker European Operations Holdings Llc Anterior to psoas instrumentation
US11564674B2 (en) 2019-11-27 2023-01-31 K2M, Inc. Lateral access system and method of use

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2695607A (en) * 1951-04-24 1954-11-30 Herbert E Hipps Self-retaining bone retractor

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2695607A (en) * 1951-04-24 1954-11-30 Herbert E Hipps Self-retaining bone retractor

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Girard, P. M. A Self Retaining Retractor Useful In Open Operations On Bone, In Jour. Bone and Joint Surg. 1934, p. 612. *

Cited By (37)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4151838A (en) * 1977-06-17 1979-05-01 Crew John R Internal mammary artery sternal retractor
US4206750A (en) * 1977-12-15 1980-06-10 Seppo Kaivola Speculum for gynecological endoscopy examination
US4232660A (en) * 1979-03-26 1980-11-11 Coles Robert L Winged irrigating surgical retractor
US4747395A (en) * 1983-08-24 1988-05-31 Brief L Paul Surgical retractor for bone surgery
US5167223A (en) * 1989-09-08 1992-12-01 Tibor Koros Heart valve retractor and sternum spreader surgical instrument
US5027793A (en) * 1990-03-30 1991-07-02 Boehringer Mannheim Corp. Surgical retractor
US5397330A (en) * 1990-04-11 1995-03-14 Mikhail; E. Michael Posterior cruciate ligament retractor for use in performing knee surgery
US5290290A (en) * 1990-04-11 1994-03-01 Mikhail Michael W E Method for performing knee surgery and retractors for use therein
US5308350A (en) * 1990-04-11 1994-05-03 Mikhail Michael W E Femoral distractor for use in knee surgery
US5308349A (en) * 1990-04-11 1994-05-03 Mikhail W F Michael Method for performing knee surgery and retractors for use therein
US5380331A (en) * 1990-04-11 1995-01-10 Mikhail; W. E. Michael Method for performing knee surgery and retractors for use therein
US5217463A (en) * 1990-04-11 1993-06-08 Mikhail W F Michael Method for performing knee surgery and retractors for use therein
US5303694A (en) * 1993-02-09 1994-04-19 Mikhail Michael W E Method for performing hip surgery and retractor for use therein
US5520608A (en) * 1994-04-28 1996-05-28 Johnson & Johnson Professional, Inc. Orthopaedic retractor blade
US5618260A (en) * 1994-04-29 1997-04-08 Aesculap Ag Surgical instrument
US6126660A (en) * 1998-07-29 2000-10-03 Sofamor Danek Holdings, Inc. Spinal compression and distraction devices and surgical methods
US6409731B1 (en) * 2001-07-30 2002-06-25 Global Orthopaedic Solutions, L.L.C. Bone leveler apparatus
US7195593B1 (en) * 2002-03-29 2007-03-27 Si-1, Ltd. Ligament retractor assembly
US7077805B1 (en) * 2002-03-29 2006-07-18 Si-1, Inc. Ligament retractor assembly for use in performing knee surgery
US20090216089A1 (en) * 2005-11-21 2009-08-27 The Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia Foot retractors
US20070219415A1 (en) * 2006-03-14 2007-09-20 Heinz Eric S Interoperative monitoring of intramuscular pressure during retraction
US10687797B2 (en) 2008-12-18 2020-06-23 Howmedica Osteonics Corp. Lateral access system for the lumbar spine
US11925342B2 (en) 2008-12-18 2024-03-12 Howmedica Osteonics Corp. Lateral access system for the lumbar spine
US20110054262A1 (en) * 2009-09-02 2011-03-03 American Hand Institute, Llc Apparatus and method for retraction of tissue
US8936549B2 (en) * 2009-09-02 2015-01-20 American Hand Institute, Llc Apparatus and method for retraction of tissue
US11166709B2 (en) 2016-08-23 2021-11-09 Stryker European Operations Holdings Llc Instrumentation and methods for the implantation of spinal implants
US11832847B2 (en) 2017-08-17 2023-12-05 Stryker European Operations Holdings Llc Expanders for rod retraction
US11020145B2 (en) 2017-08-17 2021-06-01 Stryker European Holdings I, Llc Expanders for rod retraction
US11191532B2 (en) 2018-03-30 2021-12-07 Stryker European Operations Holdings Llc Lateral access retractor and core insertion
US11911016B2 (en) 2018-03-30 2024-02-27 Stryker European Operations Holdings Llc Lateral access retractor and core insertion
US11413029B2 (en) 2018-10-24 2022-08-16 Stryker European Operations Holdings Llc Anterior to psoas instrumentation
US11564674B2 (en) 2019-11-27 2023-01-31 K2M, Inc. Lateral access system and method of use
US20220257228A1 (en) * 2020-07-10 2022-08-18 Alidad Ghiassi Radiolucent, 3-d printed soft tissue retractor
US11534152B2 (en) 2020-07-10 2022-12-27 Retractortho, Inc. Stabilizing retractor system for distal radius fracture repair
US11583268B2 (en) * 2020-07-10 2023-02-21 Retractortho, Inc. Radiolucent, 3-D printed soft tissue retractor
US11779323B2 (en) * 2020-07-10 2023-10-10 Retractortho, Inc. Single use radiolucent stabilizing retractor system
US20220008054A1 (en) * 2020-07-10 2022-01-13 Alidad Ghiassi Single use radiolucent stabilizing retractor system

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3731673A (en) Self-retaining muscle retractor
US4747395A (en) Surgical retractor for bone surgery
US6309349B1 (en) Surgical retractor and stabilizing device and method for use
US4827929A (en) Angulated surgical instrument
EP0908138B1 (en) Surgical tissue stabilization device having remotely actuated feet
AU734407B2 (en) A tissue stabilization device for use during surgery having a segmented shaft
US5984864A (en) Tissue stabilization device for use during surgery
EP0908139B1 (en) A tissue stabilization device for use during surgery
Flynn et al. Blind pinning of displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children: sixteen YEARS'EXPERIENCE with long-term follow-up
US3815585A (en) Disposable vaginal speculum
US6013027A (en) Method for using a tissue stabilization device during surgery
US3783873A (en) Weighted surgical clamp having foldable prop
US6537212B2 (en) Surgical retractor
US6709389B2 (en) Surgical apparatus and method
US20050267336A1 (en) Surgical retractor and stabilizing device and method for use
US5133724A (en) Abdominal aortic clamp
US6152874A (en) Adjustable multi-purpose coronary stabilizing retractor
US5380331A (en) Method for performing knee surgery and retractors for use therein
US4519392A (en) Hemostasing muscle clips for needleless surgery
US5964697A (en) Surgical retractor stay apparatus
US20110060194A1 (en) Retractor
US4932395A (en) Hemi-laminectomy retractor attachment device
JPS59168848A (en) Antiseptic surgical apparatus made of nonmetal having affinity to organism
JPH0657218B2 (en) Ligation clip and clip application device
US4488715A (en) Apparatus for supporting the arm of a patient on an operating table