Apparatus for retracting tissue during surgical procedures

Abstract

To reliably expose the treated organ during surgical procedures, retraction devices are used with a holding arm (2) to which clamps (1) or the like are fastened, so that the clamps (1) canquickly be replaced and brought into a new position at the holding arm (2), the holding arm (2) designed as a rod with a hollow space, in which a blade-shaped locking bar (13) is guided. The holding arm (2) has openings (3), and the locking bar (13) has notches (12) aligned with the openings (3), so that, in the unlocked position, the openings (3) are exposed, while, in the locked position they are partly covered by the locking bar (13). Clamps (1) with shafts (10) can be inserted into the openings (3). The shaft (10) of a clamp (1) has a groove (11), into which the locking bar (13) can be slid, so as to fasten the clamp (1) in the opening (1) of the holding arm (2). By moving the locking bar (13), all the clamps pertaining to a holding arm (2) can be fastened and loosened at the same time, and also can be brought into their specifically desired attitude. So that the clamps (1) at the holding arm (2) can be replaced quickly, a second inventive solution specifies that the holding arm (2) has openings (15) followed by a long hole (16) and a subsequent depression (17). A clamp (1) has at least one T-shaped head (14), which can be inserted into an opening (15), can be moved in the long hole (16) until it reaches the depression (17), and can be lowered into the depression (17). On the backside of the holding arm (2), a locking bar (18) can be inserted into a rail guide (19), so as to hold the T-shaped head or heads (14) fast in the depressions (17). The locking bar can have bores (20, 45) for accommodating further instruments or tools. A clamp preferably has two T-shaped heads (14).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.