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US 11,432,716 B2Granted
Retractor and tip extender therefor
AssigneeColorado Voice Clinic, P.C.
InventorDavid A. Opperman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractor used in inner-oral surgery is provided that includes a maxilla portion configured to maintain a patient's mount in an open state. The retractor also includes a blade that maintains the position of the tongue so that surgical tools are not obstructed. The maxilla portion of one embodiment only extends a portion of the length of the blade.
Claims17
A retractor adapted for use with a laryngoscope, comprising:
- a blade having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a maxilla portion interconnected to the blade, wherein the maxilla portion and the blade are curved about a longitudinal axis of the retractor that generally corresponds to a length of the blade to provide at least a portion of a passage adapted to selectively receive a medical instrument, wherein the maxilla portion has a proximal end and a distal end that define a length that is less than or equal to 75% of the length of the blade;
- a tip extender interconnected to the distal end of the blade;
- wherein the proximal end and the distal end define a first length with lateral edges, the blade being adapted to constrain at least a portion of a patient's tongue;
- wherein the maxilla portion has a proximal end and a distal end that is spaced from the proximal end of the blade;
- and
- wherein the distal end of the maxilla portion is closer to the proximal end of the blade than the distal end of the blade, such that a majority of the blade is exposed.
4 more elements
A retractor, comprising:
- a first member having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a second member interconnected to the first member, wherein at least one of the first member and the second member are curved about a longitudinal axis of the retractor that generally corresponds to a length of the first member to provide a passage;
- wherein the second member has a length that is substantially less than that of the first member;
- a tip extender interconnected to the distal end of the first member;
- wherein the proximal end and the distal end defines a first length with lateral edges,
- wherein the second member has a proximal end and a distal end that is spaced from the proximal end of the blade, the first member and the second member defining a passage with a longitudinal axis;
- and
- wherein the distal end of the second member is closer to the proximal end of the blade than the distal end of the blade.
5 more elements
A retractor adapted for use with a laryngoscope, comprising:
- a blade having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a maxilla portion interconnected to the blade, wherein the maxilla portion and the blade are curved about a longitudinal axis of the retractor that generally corresponds to a length of the blade to provide a passage configured to selectively receive a medical instrument;
- wherein the maxilla portion has proximal end and a distal end that define a length that is substantially less than the length of the blade;
- wherein the distal end of the blade has a tapered shape;
- wherein the maxilla portion has a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge interconnected to corresponding lateral edges of the blade, the maxilla portion further comprised of a shaped surface that extends from the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge, the shaped surface including an outer portion with a longitudinal dimension greater than a length of the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge;
- wherein the proximal end of the maxilla portion provides a lateral opening in the retractor;
- wherein the distal end of the blade is spaced transversely from the longitudinal axis of the retractor;
- a tip extender interconnected to the distal end of the blade;
- wherein proximal ends of the first and second lateral edges are spaced from the proximal end of the blade;
- and
- wherein the distal end of the maxilla portion is closer to the proximal end of the blade than the distal end of the blade.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.