Surgical retractor instrument systems and methods of using the same

摘要

A retractor system for percutaneous surgery in a patient includes first and second retractor portions positionable opposite one another in an incision of the patient. The system also includes at least one actuating member operable to provide an oscillating motion to at least one of the first and second retractor portions. The actuating member is in communication with a controller and is responsive to the controller to move and adjust at least one of the first and second retractor portions between a first position and a second position. The system also includes at least one pressure sensor and display and at least one timing circuit with display. In another form, a method is directed to retracting tissue for percutaneous access to a surgical site in a patient using the pressure sensors and display as will as the timing circuit and display to assure that the amount of pressure applied and the duration does not exceed pre-determined values.

主权项

1. A retractor system for percutaneous surgery in a patient, comprising:
a first connection assembly comprising a first lever assembly and a first retractor portion including a proximal end and a distal end positionable in an incision, said first retractor portion including a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface opposite said inner surface; a second connection assembly comprising a second lever assembly and a second retractor portion including a proximal end and a distal end positionable in the incision opposite the first retractor portion, said second retractor portion including a concave inner surface facing said inner surface of said first retractor portion and a convex outer surface opposite said inner surface of said second retractor portion, said first and second retractor portions defining a first axis extending therebetween, said first and second lever assemblies being operable to rotate said first and second retractor portions about their proximal ends to move their distal ends away from each other; a controller in communication with said first and second retractor portions, wherein said first and/or second retractor portions is responsive to said controller to cause movement of said first and said second retractor portions between a first position in which the retractor portions are parallel and a second position in which the retractor portions are transverse independent of the lever assemblies; at least one pressure sensor configured to sense pressure applied to tissue that engages said first and second retractor portions and being configured to generate a sensor signal representative of said pressure; a timing circuit in communication with said at least one pressure sensor; and a separation instrument defining a separation axis and engaging first and second connection members that extend from said first and second connection assemblies, said separation instrument being operable to move said retractor portions toward one another and away from one another along the first axis without said separation instrument rotating about said separation axis.