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Publication Number
US-9113854-B2
Publication Date
2015-08-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A tissue retractor device suitable for spinal surgery. The device includes base apparatus to which three blades are circumferentially hinged, the blades closing upon each other in default position from spring bias. A pusher mechanism is threadably connected to the base which spreads the blades by rotating the pusher in its threads relative to the base, which converts rotational motion to translational motion to angular motion of the blades about their respective hinges. One blade is longer than the others to present a multipurpose tip to the user of the device, such a tip being useful in avoiding nerve roots or other anatomy obstructing the surgical path. A dilator is threadably connected to the pusher, the dilator having a long hollow tube connected to a hollow tip extending beyond the blades to slide over guide-wire and initially position the device at the operative site, prior to using the pusher to retract patient's tissue.
Core Innovation
A tissue retractor device for retracting tissue includes a base connected to a plurality of rigid blades distributed around the base, where each blade is outwardly rotatable from the base. The device includes a pusher engaged to the base that is movable in a longitudinal direction to move the blades to angularly displace each blade from a respective closed position to an open position. The plurality of blades comprises three blades, and the blades are configured to retract tissue during an operating procedure.
One of the blades is a longer blade than the other blades, such that the longer blade extends beyond the remainder of the blades to retract tissue during an operating procedure. The longer blade includes a non-tapered portion adjacent the base, a tapered region extending from the non-tapered portion to a tip of the longer blade, and a substantially uniform region located at the tip. The uniform region extends from a location before an end of the remainder of the blades to a point beyond the location of the end of the remainder of the blades.
The disclosed structure and operation further integrate additional features with the pusher and blade arrangement, including optical illumination and alignment features. The device also includes an alternative arrangement with multi-purpose tip configurations for maneuvering around nerve roots and obstructing anatomy, and embodiments that provide windows or skeletonized blades for sampling or inspection.
Claims Coverage
The identified independent claim is directed to a tissue retractor device with three outwardly rotatable blades actuated from a closed position to an open position by a longitudinally movable pusher, including a longer blade with specific geometric regions.
Three outwardly rotatable blades and longitudinally movable pusher actuation
A tissue retractor device comprising a base connected to a plurality of rigid blades distributed around the base, each blade being outwardly rotatable from the base; wherein the plurality of blades comprises three blades; and a pusher engaged to the base, the pusher movable in a longitudinal direction to move the blades to angularly displace each blade from a respective closed position to an open position.
Longer blade extending beyond the remainder for retracting tissue
The tissue retractor device wherein one of the blades is a longer blade than the other of the blades, wherein a remainder of the blades are of substantially a same length such that the longer blade extends beyond the remainder of the blades for retracting tissue during an operating procedure.
Specific longer blade geometry with non-tapered portion, tapered region, and substantially uniform tip region
The longer blade further comprises a non-tapered portion adjacent the base; a tapered region extending from the non-tapered portion to a tip; and a substantially uniform region located at the tip, wherein the uniform region has an outer face that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tissue retractor device and a substantially uniform width in a direction across the outer face; and wherein the uniform region extends from a location before an end of the remainder of the plurality of blades to a point beyond the location of the end of the remainder of the blades.
Claim coverage centers on a three-blade tissue retractor in which a longitudinally movable pusher angularly displaces blades from closed to open, with a longer blade extending beyond the other two. The longer blade includes a defined non-tapered portion near the base, a tapered region to the tip, and a substantially uniform tip region with a specified outer face orientation and width that spans from before the ends of the shorter blades to beyond them.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Spinal surgery tissue retractor for maneuvering around nerve roots and obstructing anatomy during an operating procedure.
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