Apparatus and Method for Enlarging an Incision

摘要

A retraction system and method are provided for retracting tissues surrounding a surgical site. In one aspect, a method including engaging slide connections between a guide dilator and a plurality of tissue engaging members and sequentially enlarging an incision using the guide dilator and the plurality of tissue engaging members. In another aspect, a method of inserting a plurality of tissue engaging members into an incision including fixing tip portions of the plurality of tissue engaging members in an insertion configuration, advancing the tip portions into an incision, and restricting movement of the tip portions away from the insertion configuration. A guide dilator system comprising an elongate body, a plurality of tissue engaging members, and slide connections between the elongate body and the tissue engaging members is also provided.

主权项

1. A retractor for enlarging an incision, the retractor comprising:
a frame extending about a central opening of the frame; a plurality of tissue engaging members for being inserted into an incision; a plurality of operating mechanisms for connecting the tissue engaging members to the frame and being operable to move the tissue engaging members apart to enlarge the incision; a slider of one of the operating mechanisms for being connected to one of the tissue engaging members, the slider being slidably connected to the frame and shiftable between extended and retracted positions; a ratchet mechanism including an actuator having a projection, the ratchet mechanism further including a plurality of recesses with the projection configured to be received in one of the recesses, the projection and recesses being further configured to permit the slider to be shifted toward the retracted position and resist shifting of the slider toward the extended position and the actuator being operable to withdraw the projection from the recess in which the projection is received to allow the slider to be shifted toward the retracted and the extended positions thereof; and an actuator lock having a locked position that keeps the actuator from being operated to withdraw the projection from the recess in which the projection is received and an unlocked position that allows for operation of the actuator.