Surgical retractor stay apparatus

An elastic surgical retractor stay apparatus for use in performing surgery at a surgical site with an incision, comprising:

• a) a stay that includes an elongated elastic member having a length, a width, and proximal and distal ends;
• b) wherein a proximal end portion of said stay attaches to a frame and holds said proximal end of said stay at a location away from the incision;
• c) at least a portion of one of said ends of said elastic member including a section of hollow elastic tubing having a tubing diameter and a bore with a bore diameter surrounded by a tubing wall;
• and
• d) said stay having a tissue holding member for holding and retracting tissue at the incision, wherein said tissue holding member comprises:
• a handle plate having a first generally planar surface, said plate having a thickness, a length, and a height that is greater than the bore diameter;
• a wide section that is thicker than the tubing diameter, said wide section having a second generally planar surface generally transverse to the first generally planar surface and having left and right opposed edge portions;
• a transitional section that connects said handle plate with said wide section, and having a smaller thickness portion with a thickness that approaches the thickness of said handle plate;
• and
• a plurality of hooks extending from said wide section and including at least a pair of hooks positioned at said opposed edge portions of said wide section.

A surgical retractor for use in performing surgery upon a portion of a patient's body at a surgical site, comprising:

• a) a stay that includes an elongated elastic member having a length, a width, and proximal and distal ends;
• b) an anchor removably connected to said proximal end for anchoring said proximal end of said stay at a location spaced from the surgical site;
• c) at least a portion of one said end of said elastic member including a section of hollow elastic tubing having a bore surrounded by a tubing wall;
• and
• d) said stay having a tissue holding member that comprises:
• a handle plate having a first generally planar surface, said plate having a thickness, a length, and a height that is greater than the bore diameter;
• a wide plate section that is thicker than the diameter of said tubing, said wide plate section having a second generally planar surface generally transverse to the first generally planar surface and having left and right opposed edge portions;
• a transitional section that connects said handle plate with said wide plate section, and having a smaller thickness portion with a thickness that approaches the thickness of said handle plate;
• and
• a plurality of hooks extending from said wide plate section and including at least a pair of hooks positioned at said opposed edge portions of said wide plate section.