US 7,294,103 B2Granted

Retractor with inflatable blades

AssigneeEndoscopic Technologies, Inc.

InventorsArthur A. Bertolero, Tamer Ibrahim

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A surgical retractor is configured to provide surgical access in thoracic surgery, for example through an intercostal incision. The surgical retractor includes at least one inflated or inflatable member to cushion the ribs and surrounding tissue from injury or trauma. In one embodiment, the inflatable member is configured as an inflatable ring with a concave outer surface for engaging and spreading apart two adjacent ribs when the ring is inflated. In another embodiment, the inflatable ring can be combined with a substantially rigid inner ring for supporting and rigidifying the retractor. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of substantially rigid retractor blades is mounted on a spreading track or the like. One or more inflatable members or an inflatable ring are used to cushion the tissue from the rigid retractor blades.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A method of surgical access comprising:

making an intercostal incision in a patient's thorax;
positioning a surgical retractor comprising an inflatable ring-shaped member in the intercostal incision;
engaging a first rib adjacent to the intercostal incision with a first concave surface on an outer surface of the inflatable ring-shaped member;
engaging a second adjoining rib adjacent to the intercostal incision with a second concave surface on the outer surface of the inflatable ring-shaped member;
inflating the inflatable ring-shaped member to open up an inner opening for surgical access through the surgical retractor and to separate the first rib and the second rib sufficiently to allow surgical access through the intercostal incision via the inner opening of the surgical retractor;
and supporting the inflatable ring-shaped member with a plurality of substantially rigid retractor blades positioned within the inner opening of the inflatable ring-shaped member.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/988,000Filed 12 Nov 2004 · us provisional application
Priority: 12 Nov 2003
Published: US 2005/0137460 A123 Jun 2005
Granted: 13 Nov 2007
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

A61B 17/02
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: for holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors
A61B 17/0293
For holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors: with ring member to support retractor elements
A61B 17/3423
Cannulas: access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands
A61B 2017/3427
Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands: for intercostal space