Self-retaining surgical retractor

Claim 2

A self-retaining surgical retractor, comprising: a tubular rod adapted to fit into a movable stirrup holder on the side rail of an operating table, a clamp head mounted on one end of said tubular rod so as to permit rotation of said clamp head around the axis of said rod, a retractor blade, a handle attached to said blade, said handle being attached to said clamp head so as to be in slidable, rotatable contact therewith, said clamp head also adapted to permit tilting of said handle, and a single means to tighten said clamp head so as to lock said handle in place and at the same time lock said clamp head against rotation around the axis of said tubular rod, thereby holding said retractor blade steady in all planes.

Claim 3

A self-retaining retractor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clamp head has two movable jaws having a pair of aligned conical holes therein with a cylindrical pivot pin inserted therethrough, said cylindrical pivot pin having a hole therein adapted to receive said handle in slidable and rotatable contact therewith, said pivot pin being pivotable to permit tilting of said handle.

Claim 4

A self-retaining retractor as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tubular rod has a hollow portion, and wherein said coupling portion of said clamp head consists of coupling ends to said jaws, said coupling ends adapted to fit into said hollow portion of said tubular rod so as to permit rotation of said clamp head around the axis of said rod.

Claim 5

A self-retaining retractor as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means to tighten said clamp head consists of a threaded screw inserted through another pair of holes in said jaws, one hole of which is conical, and threadably received in the one of said holes so as to permit opening and closing of said jaws by turning said screw, the closing of said jaws causing pressure to be applied on said handle locking it in place and at the same time causing outward pressure to be exerted at the end of the coupling ends of said jaws to prevent said clamp head from rotating around the axis of said tubular rod, thereby holding said retractor blade steady in all planes.

Claim 6

A self-retaining retractor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retractor blade is thin, flat and curved.

Claim 7

A self-retaining retractor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said blade is broad and shaped.

Claim 8

A self-retaining retractor as set forth in claim 1 wherein all parts of said retractor are made of sterilizable stainless steel.

Claim 9

A self-retaining retractor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said handle has a series of fine grooves along the end opposite the blade.

Claim 10

A self-retaining retractor as set forth in claim 1 including means to adjust the height of said tubular rod by raising or lowering its position within said stirrup holder.

Claim 11

A self-retaining retractor as set forth in claim 9 wherein said tubular rod has a stop mechanism to prevent said rod from being lowered beyond said stop mechanism.

Claim 12

A self-retaining surgical retractor made entirely of sterilizable stainless steel, comprising: a tubular rod adapted to fit into a movable stirrup holder on the side rail of an operating table, one end of said tubular rod having a hollow portion, a clamp head having two movable jaws, each with a coupling piece which is adapted to fit into said hollow portion of said tubular rod so as to permit rotation of said clamp head around the axis of said rod, each jaw also having two holes therein, one aligned pair of holes in said jaws being conical and having a cylindrical pivot pin inserted therethrough, said cylindrical pivot pin having a hole therein adapted to slidably receive the handle of a retractor blade, the other aligned pair of holes in said jaws having a threaded screw therethrough, one of said holes being conical and the other being adapted to threadably receive said screw so as to permit opening and closing of said jaws by turning said screw, and a retractor blade, a handle attached to said blade, said handle having a series of fine grooves along the end opposite said blade, said handle being suitable for insertion through said hole in said cylindrical pin and being of sufficient thickness such that when said screw is tightened the jaws of said clamp head apply pressure on said handle locking it in place and at the same time causing outward pressure to be exerted on said coupling pieces at the end of said jaws to prevent said clamp head from rotating around the axis of said tubular rod, thereby holding said retractor blade steady in all planes.

Claim 13

A self-retaining surgical retractor made entirely of sterilizable stainless steel, comprising: a tubular rod adapted to fit into a movable stirrup holder on the side rail of an operating table, one end of said tubular rod having a hollow portion, a clamp head having two movable jaws, each with a coupling piece which is adapted to fit into said hollow portion of said tubular rod so as to permit rotation of said clamp head around the axis of said rod, each jaw also having two holes therein, one aligned pair of holes in said jaws being conical and having a cylindrical pivot pin inserted therethrough, said cylindrical pivot pin having a hole therein adapted to slidably receive the handle of a retractor blade, the other aligned pair of holes in said jaws having a threaded screw therethrough, one of said holes being conical and the other being adapted to threadably receive said screw so as to permit opening and closing of said jaws by turning said screw, and a retractor blade, a handle attached to said blade, said handle having a series of fine grooves along the end opposite said blade, said handle being suitable for insertion through said hole in said cylindrical pin and being of sufficient thickness such that when said screw is tightened the jaws of said clamp head apply pressure on said handle locking it in place and at the same time causing outward pressure to be exerted on said coupling pieces at the end of said jaws to prevent said clamp head from rotating around the axis of said tubular rod, thereby holding said retractor blade steady in all planes.