Self retaining retractor ring

A retraction retaining device comprising:

• a first ring portion defining a first end and a second end;
• a second ring portion defining a first end and a second end;
• a lockable hinge coupled to and between said first ends;
• and
• an unlockable hinge coupled to and between said second ends,
• wherein at least one of said first ring portion and said second ring portion is articulatable into various angular positions extending from a plane (0°) of said first and second ring portions through 180° in discrete increments.

A method of retracting a surgical opening comprising the steps of:

• providing a hinged ring defining an opening therein and having a plurality of posts disposed on an upper surface thereof, said hinged ring including a first ring portion, a second ring portion and a hinge coupled to each of said first ring portion and said second ring portion, said hinge defining an axis;
• shifting at least one of said first ring portion and said second ring portion alone said axis of said hinge;
• articulating the hinged ring into a particular angular orientation;
• locking the hinged ring into the particular angular orientation;
• positioning the opening of the hinged ring over the surgical opening;
• and
• attaching a retractor to one of the posts, the retractor operative to retract a portion of the surgical opening,
• wherein the step of articulating the hinged ring into a particular angular orientation includes articulating the hinged ring through predetermined increments.

A retraction retaining device comprising:

• a first ring portion defining a first end and a second end;
• a second ring portion defining a first end and a second end, said first ring portion and said second ring portion defining a plane;
• a plurality of pegs disposed on at least one of an upper surface of said first ring and an upper surface of said second ring, each peg configured to releasably retain a surgical instrument;
• a first hinge coupled to and between said first ends;
• and
• a second hinge coupled to and between said second ends;
• said first and second hinges configured to allow either of said first and second ring portions to pivot downwardly with respect to the plane in an arc of greater than 90°,
• wherein each one of said plurality of pegs includes a slot,
• wherein said first and second ring portions are hinged so as to be articulatable into various angular positions, and
• wherein said first and second ring portions are hinged so as to be articulatable into the various angular positions via discrete increments.

A surgical retractor assembly, comprising:

• a first retractor segment having (i) a first upper surface and a first lower patient facing surface, and (ii) a first plurality of posts extending upwardly from said first upper surface;
• a second retractor segment having (i) a second upper surface and a second lower patient facing surface, and (ii) a second plurality of posts extending upwardly from said second upper surface;
• a hinge operable to pivotably couple said first retractor segment to said second retractor segment, wherein said first retractor segment is pivotable in relation to said second retractor segment between (i) a first relative position in which said first retractor segment lies coplanar with said second retractor segment and forms an access opening therebetween and (ii) a second relative position in which said first lower patient facing surface of said first retractor segment is juxtaposed to said second lower patient facing surface of said second retractor segment;
• at least one retractor having a first end portion defining a blade, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion interposed therebetween, wherein (i) said intermediate portion has a plurality of spaced apart bores defined therein, and (ii) each of said plurality of spaced apart bores is configured to receive any of said first plurality of posts and said second plurality of posts;
• and
• a locking mechanism operable to lock said first retractor segment and said second retractor segment at any one of a plurality of positions between said first relative position and said second relative position,
• wherein said locking mechanism includes (i) a first locking member coupled to said first retractor segment and having a first plurality of teeth, and (ii) a second locking member coupled to said second retractor segment and having a second plurality of teeth that mate with said first plurality of teeth.

A surgical retractor assembly, comprising:

• a first retractor segment having (i) a first upper surface and a first lower patient facing surface, and (ii) a first plurality of posts extending upwardly from said first upper surface;
• a second retractor segment having (i) a second upper surface and a second lower patient facing surface, and (ii) a second plurality of posts extending upwardly from said second upper surface;
• a hinge operable to pivotably couple said first retractor segment to said second retractor segment, wherein said first retractor segment is pivotable in relation to said second retractor segment between (i) a first relative position in which said first retractor segment lies coplanar with said second retractor segment and forms an access opening therebetween, and (ii) a second relative position in which said first lower patient facing surface of said first retractor segment is juxtaposed to said second lower patient facing surface of said second retractor segment;
• at least one retractor having a first end portion defining a blade, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion interposed therebetween, wherein (i) said intermediate portion has a plurality of spaced apart bores defined therein, and (ii) each of said plurality of spaced apart bores is configured to receive any of said first plurality of posts and said second plurality of posts,
• wherein said first retractor segment defines a first 180° arcuate segment,
• wherein said second retractor segment defines a second 180° arcuate segment, and
• wherein said first retractor segment and said second retractor segment collectively form a circle when said first retractor segment and said second retractor segment are in said first relative position.