Surgical retractor extensions

The combination of a retractor member and a plurality of extension members;

• said retractor member comprising an elongated tubular main body and a distal end;
• each of said extension members comprising a main body and mounting means for removably mounting said extension member in a fixed, non-moving, position on said distal end of said retractor member after said retractor has been positioned within a patient, said mounting means comprising a clip member disposed on said extension member;
• whereby each of said extension members is mountable on said retractor member such that said distal end is received by said clip member and such that at least part of said main body extends beyond said retractor distal end such that said extension member minimizes or precludes tissue creep at said distal end of said retractor;
• wherein said retractor is provided with a plurality of grid apertures, at least some of said grid apertures being axially spaced such that not all said grid apertures are equidistant from said distal end.

The combination of a retractor member and a plurality of extension members;

• said retractor member comprising an elongated tubular main body and a distal end;
• each of said extension members comprising a main body and mounting means for removably mounting said extension member in a fixed, non-moving, position on said distal end of said retractor member after said retractor has been positioned within a patient, said mounting means comprising a clip member disposed on said extension member;
• said extension member further comprising tool connector means for temporarily connecting said extension member to an applicator tool, said applicator tool comprising a pair of handles connected by pivot means to a pair of L-shaped arms, and extension member retention means disposed on said L-shaped arms to temporarily retain said extension members for mounting to said retractor member;
• whereby each of said extension members is mountable on said retractor member such that said distal end is received by said clip member and such that at least part of said main body extends beyond said retractor distal end such that said extension member minimizes or precludes tissue creep at said distal end of said retractor.