Articulated and lockable suture retaining retractor ring

摘要

An adjustable self retaining retractor ring assembly is formed from two half-rings (22,24) connected together by hinges (28) to form a 360 DEG enclosure or ring. The hinges allow the two half-rings to bend or pivot 180 DEG relative to a plane of the ring. One of the hinges includes a positionable locking mechanism to lock or set the angular orientation of the two half-rings relative to each other. In this manner, fixed angles for the half-rings can be selected and maintained. Each half-ring includes a plurality of axially protruding pegs or posts (30) (relative to a plane of the half-ring) positioned around it. The posts are shaped to releasably accept retractors and/or ancillary instruments thereon. Additionally, each post preferably includes a slot configured to allow for the locking of suture material therein. <IMAGE>