Method and apparatus for soft tissue retraction

摘要

A soft tissue retractor includes a retractor body and a proximal projection extends generally perpendicular to the proximal end of the retractor body. An illumination waveguide engages a slot in the retractor blade to provide illumination to a surgical site while maintaining total internal reflection in the waveguide. An illumination input is formed into the proximal end of the illumination waveguide for conducting light from a source to the illumination waveguide. The proximal projection is configured for application of counter traction without the need for squeezing the retractor body. The proximal projection may be weighted to balance the soft tissue retractor as well as enabling the retractor to provide counter traction by itself. The configuration of the proximal projection further enables self-retraction by including a flat foot to prevent rolling and sliding of the retractor when it is providing self-retraction.

主权项

1. A method of performing a minimally invasive head or neck surgery on a patient, said method comprising:
providing an illuminated soft tissue retractor having a retractor blade, a retractor body and an illumination waveguide, wherein the retractor blade is coupled to the retractor body and the illumination waveguide is coupled to the retractor blade; creating a minimally invasive surgical incision in the head or neck of the patient; inserting the retractor blade into the incision; illuminating the surgical field with light extracted from the illumination waveguide, wherein the light is directed laterally and distally from the illumination waveguide to illuminate the surgical field, wherein the light is transmitted through the illumination waveguide by total internal reflection; counter tracting soft tissue with the retractor blade based on the weight of a proximal projection protruding from a proximal end of the retractor body while illuminating the surgical field thereby counter tracting the soft tissue without requiring squeezing of the retractor body by an operator; and performing the remainder of the head and neck surgery.