Thoracic Structure Access Apparatus, Systems and Methods

A thoracic structure access system, comprising:

• a tissue retractor system configured and adapted to provide access to intrathoracic structures of a subject through a xiphoid incision proximate a xiphoid process and without fully transecting a sternum,
• said tissue retractor system comprising a tissue retractor arm assembly, a tissue retention arm assembly, and a linear ratchet assembly,
• said tissue retractor assembly further comprising a first rotatable ratchet assembly and a second rotatable ratchet assembly,
• said first rotatable ratchet assembly comprising a first rotatable ratchet gear,
• said second rotatable ratchet assembly comprising a second rotatable ratchet gear,
• said tissue retractor arm assembly comprising a first elongated arm region and a first base region,
• said first elongated arm region comprising a first arm region proximal end, a first arm region distal end, and a first longitudinal axis,
• said first base region comprising a first base region proximal end, a first base region distal end, and a second longitudinal axis, said first base region proximal end connected to said first arm region distal end, wherein said first longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to said second longitudinal axis,
• said first base region further comprising said first rotatable ratchet gear, said first rotatable ratchet gear comprising first internal teeth, said first rotatable ratchet gear disposed on said first base region distal end,
• said tissue retention arm assembly comprising a second elongated arm region and a second base region,
• said second elongated arm region comprising a second arm region proximal end, a second arm region distal end, and a third longitudinal axis,
• said second base region comprising a second base region proximal end, a second base region distal end, and a fourth longitudinal axis, said second base region proximal end connected to said second arm region distal end, wherein said third longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to said fourth longitudinal axis,
• said second base region further comprising said second rotatable ratchet gear, said second rotatable ratchet gear comprising second internal teeth, said second rotatable ratchet gear disposed on said second base region distal end,
• said ratchet assembly comprising a crossbar, a first ratchet sub-assembly, a second ratchet sub-assembly, and a fifth longitudinal axis,
• said first ratchet sub-assembly slidably connected to said crossbar,
• said first ratchet sub-assembly comprising a first coupling member and a first handle assembly,
• said first coupling member comprising a first coupling member proximal end, a first coupling member distal end, and a sixth longitudinal axis, said first coupling member proximal end connected to said first ratchet assembly, wherein said sixth longitudinal axis of said first coupling member is substantially perpendicular to said fifth longitudinal axis of said ratchet assembly,
• said first coupling member distal end comprising a first geared end configured and adapted to slidably engage said first rotatable ratchet gear of said first base region, wherein said first coupling member is allowed to rotate and induce first angular articulation of said first elongated arm region relative to said first longitudinal axis of said first elongated arm region, said first geared end of said first coupling member further comprising a first threaded lumen,
• said first ratchet sub-assembly further comprising a first retainer screw adapted to engage said first threaded lumen of said first coupling member, wherein, when said first coupling member distal end is slidably engaged to said first rotatable ratchet gear of said first base region and said first retaining screw is threadably engaged to said first threaded lumen of said first coupling member, said first retaining screw maintains said engagement of said first coupling member to said first base region of said tissue retractor arm assembly,
• said second ratchet sub-assembly comprising a second coupling member,
• said second coupling member comprising a second coupling member proximal end, a second coupling member distal end, and a seventh longitudinal axis, said second coupling member proximal end connected to said crossbar, wherein said seventh longitudinal axis of said second coupling member is substantially perpendicular to said fifth longitudinal axis of said ratchet assembly,
• said second coupling member distal end comprising a second geared end configured and adapted to slidably engage said second rotatable ratchet gear of said second base region, wherein said second coupling member is allowed to rotate and induce second angular articulation of said second elongated arm region relative to said second longitudinal axis of said second elongated arm region, said second geared end of said second coupling member further comprising a second threaded lumen,
• said second ratchet sub-assembly further comprising a second retainer screw adapted to engage said second threaded lumen of said second coupling member, wherein, when said second coupling member distal end is slidably engaged to said second rotatable ratchet gear of said second base region and said second retaining screw is threadably engaged to said second threaded lumen of said second coupling member, said second retaining screw maintains said engagement of said second coupling member to said second base region of said tissue retention arm assembly,
• said first handle assembly operatively connected to said first ratchet sub-assembly and adapted to induce first lateral motion of said first ratchet sub-assembly and, thereby, said tissue retractor arm assembly in first and second directions in a first plane substantially parallel to said fifth longitudinal axis of said ratchet assembly, whereby said tissue retractor arm assembly transitions over a plurality of retractor arm assembly tissue engaging positions when said first coupling member is said engaged to said first base region,
• said first elongated arm member of said tissue retractor arm assembly comprising at least a first tissue retractor member configured and adapted to releasably engage first biological tissue proximate said xiphoid incision when said tissue retractor arm assembly is in at least a first retractor arm assembly tissue engaging position of said plurality of retractor arm assembly tissue engaging positions,
• said tissue retractor arm assembly and said tissue retention arm assembly, when said connected to said ratchet assembly and said engaged to said first and second biological tissue, being configured and adapted to dispose said first and second biological tissue a spaced distance apart, wherein an open access space proximate said subject's xiphoid process is provided, and jointly and uniformly lift opposing portions of a thoracic cage.