Surgical retractor system and method
AssigneeThe Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
InventorNilesh Raman Vasan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multiple piece tongue blade is described. The multiple piece tongue blade is provided with a step and a tip. The stem is adapted to be inserted into a handle of a surgical retractor. The tip is adapted to be selectively attached to the stem. The tip is insertable into a mouth of a patient such that the tip applies pressure onto a tongue of the patient.
Claims10
A surgical retractor, comprising:
- a handle defining a tongue blade receiving opening, the handle having a locking mechanism adapted to selectively lock the tongue blade in position and defining a first plane;
- a bar having a first leg and a second leg, the first leg and the second leg cooperating to define a second plane;
- a locking hinge adapted to be locked at more than one surgical position;
- a tongue blade comprising a stem adapted to be slidable inserted into the handle, and a tip adapted to press against a tongue of a patient when the surgical retractor is inserted into an oral cavity of the patient;
- and
- wherein the handle and the bar may be rotated relative to one another via the locking hinge such that the first plane and the second plane form an angle between about 0 degrees and about 360 degrees.
A maxillary brace adapted to be connected to a surgical retractor, the maxillary brace comprising:
- an engagement surface adapted to engage a patient's maxilla, the engagement surface comprising one or more of:
- one or more bumps, one or more striations, one or more grooves, one or more soft palate-engaging spikes, and one or more knurls.
A maxillary brace adapted to be connected to a surgical retractor, the maxillary brace comprising an engagement surface adapted to engage a patient's maxilla, the engagement surface comprising one or more spikes adapted to engage a soft palate tissue of a patient, such that the maxillary brace is at least partially secured to the patient's maxilla via the one or more spikes.
A multiple piece tongue blade comprising:
- a stem adapted to be inserted into a handle of a surgical retractor;
- a tip adapted to be selectively attached to the stem;
- and
- wherein the tip is insertable into a mouth of a patient such that the tip applies pressure onto a tongue of the patient.
A tongue blade, comprising:
- a stem adapted to be inserted into a handle of a surgical retractor;
- a tip attached to the stem, the tip having a first side, a second side, and at least one holder;
- and
- a pin connected to the holder and extending beyond the first side and the second side of the tip.
A tongue blade for a surgical retractor, comprising:
- a stem adapted to be inserted into a handle of a surgical retractor, the stem being substantially curved;
- a tip connected to the stem;
- and
- wherein the tip is insertable into a mouth of a patient such that the tip applies pressure onto a tongue of the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.