Surgical retractor for endoscopes

Claim 1

An improved collapsable surgical retractor comprising: a hollow barrel defining an elongated channel having proximal and distal ends; a unitary molding of resilient synthetic resinous material including an elongated rectilinear shaft member slidably disposed within said channel, a bifurcated member on a distal end of said shaft, selectively positionable within said channel and having a relatively unstressed configuration when positioned outwardly of said channel, said bifurcated member including a plurality of interconnected segments having inwardly and outwardly directed peripheral surfaces, and defining a hook-like appendage of substantial transverse width, and forming an angle with respect to the axis of said shaft member, said segments defining an at least partially enclosed area; and a thin web-like membrane interconnecting the inwardly directed surfaces of said bifurcated member, and extending over said enclosed area; whereby when said bifurcated member is positioned completely within said channel, it assumes a rectilinear configuration, and when extended outwardly past said distal end of said channel, said bifurcated member resiliently expands to relatively unstressed operative configuration, said membrane being thereby tensed to prevent the accidental entry of tissue into said enclosed area, and preventing the pinching of said tissue upon withdrawal of said bifurcated member within said channel.