US 4,424,724 A · Multi-position ratchet mechanism

Abstract

A multi-position ratchet mechanism for holding a surgical retractor blade which permits a retractor blade to be rotated into the wound and retracted at the same time to duplicate the natural "toe-in" method of retraction achieved with the hand. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet holder to which is pivotably attached a ratchet pivot housing. The retractor blade is mounted in an opening projecting through ratchet pivot housing and held in position by a retractor pawl attached to the ratchet pivot housing. The ratchet pivot housing also has a curved ratchet which depends into a cooperating slot in the ratchet holder and engages a pivot pawl rotatably mounted and spring biased into the ratchet slot. The holder includes a transverse slot which slides onto an oval ring which is mounted about the incision site.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A multi-position ratchet mechanism comprising:

a generally rectangular ratchet holder having top, bottom, front, rear, left and right surfaces;
said ratchet holder having a ratchet slot extending from its rear surface toward its front surface and extending from said top to said bottom surface;
a pivot pawl pivotably connected to said holder and disposed in said ratchet slot and including an integral actuation lever extending outside of said ratchet slot for ready actuation by a user;
means attached to said ratchet holder for biasing said pivot pawl into engagement with said pivot ratchet;
a ratchet pivot housing pivotably mounted on said ratchet holder;
a curved pivot ratchet depending from said ratchet pivot housing into said ratchet slot of said ratchet holder and operatively engaging said pivot pawl whereby the pivot angle of said pivot housing with respect to said ratchet holder may be selectively varied.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-position ratchet mechanism

Life of this patent

Multi-position ratchet mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5