Surgical retractor

A hand-held surgical retractor definable in terms of an xyz Cartesian coordinate system, the retractor comprising:

• a). a substantially flat retaining element having a primary surface in a yz plane and a secondary surface, substantially normal thereto, in an xy plane, and a midline defined by the intersection of an xz plane normal to both said primary and secondary surfaces;
• b). a curved elongated rigid shaft having a first end integrally depending from an upper side of said secondary surface of said retaining element and lying in said xz plane, a second end opposite said first end and lying in the xz plane, a first arched portion adjacent to said first end comprising an accentuated curve in the xy plane initiating in a direction normal to said primary surface and away from the user, said first arched portion smoothly adjacent a second arched portion, said second arched portion terminating at said second end and comprising a reversed gradual curve in the xy plane, said first and second arched portions coincident with a rise in the xz plane;
• and
• c). gripping means proportioned for engagement by all fingers of one hand of user of said retractor, said gripping means integrally depending from said second end of said curved elongated shaft and lying in said xz plane.