Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A surgical retractor for use with an adjustable holder in performing a gastroplasty procedure for morbid obesity wherein such procedure requires a vertical line to be formed on the abdomen of a patient by the head of a surgical staple gun, said retractor being of unitary construction and comprising a blade section having an exposed upper first portion and an elongate substantially transverse second portion depending from a juncture formed between said first and second portions for disposition within an incision made in the patient; and a handle section disposed opposite the juncture and extending laterally from a peripheral segment of said first portion; said blade section second portion including a pair of substantially rigid finger-like elements, each element having a substantially broad convex exterior first surface for engaging a tissue portion of the patient circumjacent the incision, said blade section including an elongate slot disposed intermediate said finger-like elements; said slot having a depending first segment extending the full length of said finger-like elements and having an open lower end, and a second segment extending transversely of said first segment and terminating within the blade section upper first portion at a substantial distance from the juncture of said first and second portions, said second segment forming a notch within the blade section upper first portion, said notch being adapted to accommodate the head of the surgical staple gun during the gastroplasty procedure; the lower end portion of each depending finger-like element having a blunt configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A surgical retractor for use with an adjustable holder in performing a gastroplasty procedure for morbid obesity wherein such procedure requires a vertical line to be formed on the abdomen of a patient by the head of a surgical staple gun, said retractor being of unitary construction and comprising a blade section having an exposed upper first portion and an elongate substantially transverse second portion depending from a juncture formed between said first and second portions for disposition within an incision made in the patient; and a handle section disposed opposite the juncture and extending laterally from a peripheral segment of said first portion; said blade section second portion including a pair of substantially rigid finger-like elements, each element having a substantially broad convex exterior first surface for engaging a tissue portion of the patient circumjacent the incision, said blade section including an elongate slot disposed intermediate said finger-like elements; said slot having a depending first segment extending the full length of said finger-like elements and having an open lower end, and a second segment extending transversely of said first segment and terminating within the blade section upper first portion at a substantial distance from the juncture of said first and second portions, said second segment forming a notch within the blade section upper first portion, said notch being adapted to accommodate the head of the surgical staple gun during the gastroplasty procedure; the lower end portion of each depending finger-like element having a blunt configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The retractor of claim 1 wherein the blunt lower end portion of each element has an increased material thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The retractor of claim 1 wherein at least one of the elongate finger-like elements is provided with a substantially concave exterior second surface opposite said first surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The retractor of claim 1 wherein the finger-like elements are of substantially like configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The retractor of claim 1 wherein the elongate slot has a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the protruding handle section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The retractor of claim 1 wherein the elongate finger-like elements have substantially equal longitudinal dimensions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The retractor of claim 1 wherein one elongate finger-like element has a longer longitudinal dimension than the other element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The retractor of claim 3 wherein both elements are provided with a substantially concave exterior second surface the concave surfaces of the pair of finger-like elements have a substantially common center of curvature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The retractor of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the blade section has a substantially planar configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The retractor of claim 1 wherein the second portion of the blade section includes a bridge means disposed within the slot and extending transversely of and interconnecting corresponding segments of said finger-like elements; said bridge means being disposed a predetermined longitudinal distance from the slot open end.