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; and a rotatable actuator of the slider operable to pivot the tissue engaging member relative to the frame and having a tool-receiving portion configured to receive a separate tool for rotating the actuator and causing the tissue engaging member to pivot relative to the frame, wherein the slider includes a pivotal support having a tissue engaging member portion for being connected to the tissue engaging member and an actuator portion connected to the rotatable actuator with the support being pivotal about a pivot axis intermediate the tissue engaging member portion and the actuator portion along the support.