Surgical dilator, retractor and mounting pad

摘要

A retractor having an elongate body that provides access to a surgical location within a patient. The elongate body includes a plurality of segments that are connected to one another through a plurality of ratcheting mechanisms. The ratcheting mechanisms permit relative movement of the segments with respect to one another when expander dilators are inserted within the retractor. The segments are surrounded and retained by a resilient elastomeric sleeve or bands. The distal end surfaces of the segments include thin edges that are configured to mobilize, dissect, split and retract the terminal tissues in the surgical area. The retractor is used in conjunction with a resilient elastomeric pad that is affixed to the patient and firmly engages the outer surface of the elongate body to thereby anchor the retractor to the patient. A separate anchoring device can be used to connect the retractor to the pad.

主权项

1. An operative dilator having an elongated body, said elongated body having a length spanning the distance above a patient's skin surface at a proximal end portion and juxtaposed a surgical area at a distal end portion, said operative dilator being oblong in cross section, said distal end portion having walls that taper into a thin distal end surface, said distal end surface having a pair of oppositely opposed concave surfaces joined by a pair of oppositely opposed convex surfaces.