Retractor

摘要

The proposed retractor blade is designed to function with a number of the currently available retractor systems with only minor modifications to those systems. The retractor blade has a hinge allowing it to flex and thereby allow a lateral approach to the discs at L1-L2 and L4-L5 despite the angle to these discs caused by coming in under the ribs or over the iliac crest.

主权项

1. A retractor comprising:
a first blade having a semicircular shape, the first blade having a first end and a second end; a second blade having a semicircular shape, the second blade being disposed in opposed aligned relationship with the first blade, the second blade having a first end and a second end, the second blade being disposed relative to the first blade to form a substantially circular passageway; a first hinge positioned on the first end of the first and second blades, the hinge pivotally joining the first end of the second blade to the first end of the first blade; a second hinge positioned on the second blade, the second hinge being positioned between the first end and the second end of the second blade, the second hinge allowing a portion of the second blade to be disposed at an angle with respect to the first blade, the angle being selected to allow the retractor to position items during surgery.