Laparoscopic dissection tension retractor device and method

A minimally invasive retractor and dissector and an instrument for internal surgical use by a surgeon on a patient's body comprising:

• a tubular support for passing into the patient's body including a passage through which access may be gained substantially along an axis "A" thereof during operative procedures on the internal tissue of the patient;
• a proximal end on the tubular support located outside the patient's body in position to provide access into the patient for the surgeon;
• a distal end on the tubular support located inside the patient's body in position to provide access within the patient for surgery;
• a control located at the proximal end of the tubular support permitting holding and pulling tissue disposed beyond the distal end relative to the axis "A";
• at least one articulated member movably positioned relative to the distal end of the tubular support and one of the articulated members for allowing swinging thereof relative to the distal end in more than one plane;
• a distal tip on the articulated members, each distal tip configured to move independently of each other distal tip and hold tissue so the articulated members are capable of holding and pulling tissue disposed beyond the distal end of the tubular support;
• a rotator connected to the proximal end of the tubular support and operatively connected to the articulated members for rotatably positioning the tubular support and the articulated members within the patient's body for movement relative to the control, and
• an instrument capable of moving independent of the tubular support, the articulated members, and the distal tips, for cooperatively functioning on the tissue, the instrument passing through the passage from the proximal end to beyond the distal end so the articulated members may position the tissue relative to the patient.

A method for using a minimally invasive retractor and dissector for internal surgery by a surgeon on a patient's body includes the following steps:

• providing a tubular support having a longitudinal passage therethrough;
• providing the tubular support including a longitudinal passage therethrough, a proximal end, a distal end, a rotator on the proximal end for rotary movement of the distal end, a plurality of independently moveable articulated members at the distal end, each articulated member having a tip thereon capable of holding and pulling tissue within the patient's body;
• making an opening for the tubular support for passing into the patient's body;
• leaving a proximal end on the tubular support located outside the patient's body in position to be accessed by a surgeon;
• positioning a distal end on the tubular support inside the patient's body in position to provide access for the surgeon to the inside of the patient's body;
• providing a rotator on the proximal end of the tubular support for rotary movement of the distal end;
• moving articulated members positioned on the distal end for movement independently of one another and each articulated member having a tip thereon capable of holding and pulling tissue disposed beyond the distal end, and swinging of one of the articulated members.