TISSUE RETRACTOR APPARATUS AND METHODS

摘要

A delicate tissue retraction system having a hollow tubular retractor, a hollow tubular introducer that is removably installed within the retractor, and a navigation module that is removably installed within the introducer. The navigation module has a shaft with a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end, and a navigation unit mounted to the proximal shaft end. When assembled, the distal shaft end is contained generally within the introducer and the navigation module outside the introducer. The navigation module indicates the location of one or more points on at least one of the retractor and the introducer to a navigation system.

主权项

1. A delicate tissue retraction system comprising:
a retractor comprising a hollow tubular retractor passage extending along a longitudinal centerline from a proximal retractor end to a distal retractor end; an introducer configured to be removably installed within the retractor and comprising a proximal introducer end and a distal introducer end, wherein, when the introducer is installed within the retractor, the proximal introducer end and distal introducer end are located along the longitudinal centerline with the distal introducer end extending beyond the distal retractor end; and a navigation unit mounted to at least one of the retractor and the introducer and, when the introducer is installed within the retractor, the navigation unit is positioned at a location that is offset in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline from the hollow tubular retractor passage; and wherein the navigation unit is configurable to indicate the location of one or more points on at least one of the retractor and the introducer.