# US 2012/0083659 A1 · Foam Surgical Retractor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2012/0083659 A1 - Document ID: US20120083659A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/898,423 - Filed: 2010-10-05 - Published: 2012-04-05 - Earliest claimed: 2010-10-05 - Inventors: Gerardo A. Caballero - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120083659A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 2090/3966: {Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract There is a method and surgical retractor provided which includes a member having a first end and a second end. The member defines a concave inner side between the two ends. The member also defines a convex outer side between the two ends. The member includes a first side and a second side wherein the edge of the first side extends, between the two ends, beyond an edge of the second side. The surgical retractor may further comprise a V-shaped channel defined in the convex inner side. The member may be composed of a surgical foam, wherein the surgical foam includes a characteristic of restorative shape memory. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical retractor comprising: a member having a first end and a second end, the member defining a concave inner side between the two ends, and defining a convex outer side between the two ends, the member including a first side and a second side, wherein an edge of the first side extends, between the two ends, beyond an edge of the second side. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical retractor of claim 1, further comprising a V-shape channel defined in the concave inner side. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surgical retractor of claim 1, wherein the member is composed of a surgical foam, wherein the surgical foam includes a characteristic of restorative shape memory. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The surgical retractor of claim 3, wherein the foam is one of a material selected from a group consisting of polyurethane, polyvinylalcohol, biodegradable plastarch foam, and silastic foam. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical retractor of claim 1, including an identifier device coupled to the member ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical retractor of claim 1, further comprising an extension portion coupled to one end of the member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The surgical retractor of claim 6, wherein the extension portion is one of integral with the member as a single unit and coupled to the member with a hook-and-loop fastener. ### Claim 8 A method of maintaining retraction of an intestine during a surgical procedure comprising: providing a member having a first end and a second end, the member defining a concave inner side between the two ends, and defining a convex outer side between the two ends, the member including a first side and a second side, wherein an edge of the first side extends, between the two ends, beyond an edge of the second side; making an incision in an abdominal wall of a patient; compressing the member to a size sufficient for insertion into the incision; inserting the member into the incision; allowing the member to decompress; positioning the member against a portion of the intestine with the concave inner side toward a surgical field within the patient, wherein the member maintains the portion of intestine away from the surgical field by restorative shape memory of the member and serosal surface friction with the member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of maintaining retraction of an intestine of claim 8, further comprising facilitating the compression of the member with a V-shape channel defined in the concave inner side. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of maintaining retraction of an intestine of claim 8, wherein the member is composed of a surgical foam, with the surgical foam including a characteristic of restorative shape memory. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of maintaining retraction of an intestine of claim 10, wherein the surgical foam is one of a material selected from a group consisting of polyurethane, polyvinylalcohol, biodegradable plastarch foam, and silastic foam. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of maintaining retraction of an intestine of claim 8, including an identifier device coupled to the member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of maintaining retraction of an intestine of claim 8, further comprising providing an extension portion coupled to one end of the member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of maintaining retraction of an intestine of claim 13, wherein the extension portion is integral with the member as a single unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of maintaining retraction of an intestine of claim 13, including coupling the extension portion to the member with a hook-and-loop fastener. ### Claim 16 A surgical retractor comprising: a member having a first end and a second end with the member composed of a surgical foam, wherein the surgical foam includes a characteristic of restorative shape memory, the member further defining a concave inner side between the two ends with the concave inner side defining a V-shape channel, and the member defining a convex outer side between the two ends, the member including a first side and a second side, wherein an edge of the first side extends, between the two ends, beyond an edge of the second side. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The surgical retractor of claim 16, wherein the surgical foam is one of a material selected from a group consisting of polyurethane, polyvinylalcohol, biodegradable plastarch foam, and silastic foam. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The surgical retractor of claim 16, including an identifier device coupled to the member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The surgical retractor of claim 16, further comprising an extension portion coupled to one end of the member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The surgical retractor of claim 19, wherein the extension portion is one of integral with the member as a single unit and coupled to the member with a hook-and-loop fastener.