Patent US729171A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5271384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Powered surgical retractor
Assignee: Covidien LP
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Filing: 1992-01-23
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Granted: 1993-12-21
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Expires: 2012-01-23
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus useful in surgery for holding surgical instruments such as retractor blades in a number of different positions required by a surgeon for the performance of a surgical procedure, including an actuation means responsive to a control signal, a signal generating means which enables an operator to generate the control signal and which transmits the control signal to the actuation means, for causing the actuation means to move the surgical instrument.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. McEwen
- 👤 Geoffrey F. Auchinleck
- 👤 Carlo R. Bussani
- 👤 Mark N. Dance
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B90/50; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00544; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00902; A61B2090/064; A61B2090/508; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S248/00; Y10S248/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A powered surgical retractor, comprising: a support member adapted for attachment to a rail member of an operating table; a first positioning member mounted to the support member; a second positioning member adjustably attached at one end to the first positioning member, the other end of the second positioning member being adapted to hold a surgical retractor; a surgical retractor held by the other end of the second positioning member; and fluid-driven means for applying a fluid-driven force between the support member and the first positioning member for moving the first positioning member and attached second positioning member and the retractor relative to the support member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A powered surgical retractor, comprising: a support member adapted for attachment to a rail member of an operating table; a first positioning member mounted to the support member; a second positioning member adjustably attached at one end to the first positioning member, the other end of the second positioning member being adapted to hold a surgical retractor; a surgical retractor held by the other end of the second positioning member; and fluid-driven means for applying a fluid-driven force between the support member and the first positioning member for moving the first positioning member and attached second positioning member and the retractor relative to the support member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The retractor of claim 1 further including a releasable brake member operable for fixing the position of the first positioning member relative to the support member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The retractor of claim 1 wherein the brake member is operated by a fluid-driven member, the retractor including valve means operable by switches for applying pressurized fluid to the fluid driven means and to the brake member and for exhausting pressurized fluid from the fluid driven means and from the brake mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The retractor of claim 3 further including a switch carrying member mounted to the second positioning member, the switch carrying member carrying switches for operating the valve means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member includes: a clamp member for clamping the support member to the rail member; and a carriage mounted to the clamp member for movement relative thereto, the carriage carrying the first positioning member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a brake mounted to the clamp member and selectively operable for engaging the carriage to prevent movement of the carriage relative to the clamp member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the fluid-driven means includes a fluid-driven actuator connected between the carriage and the clamp member and operable for applying the fluid-driven fluid to move the carriage relative to the clamp member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the fluid-driven means includes a regulator for varying the level of the fluid-driven force applied by the fluid-driven actuator for moving the carriage relative to the clamp member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising regulation means for varying the level of the fluid-driven force applied by the fluid-driven means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus for surgical retraction, comprising: a clamp adaptable for clamping to the rail of an operating table, the clamp including a body; a carriage mounted to the body of the clamp for translational motion relative to the body; an elongated positioning member having one end joined to the carriage for rotation about the joined end, another end of the positioning member being connectable to a surgical retractor; and an elevator connected to the clamp body and including drive means for driving the translational motion of the carriage thereby to change the elevation of the carriage and joined positioning member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus for surgical retraction, comprising: a clamp adaptable for clamping to the rail of an operating table, the clamp including a body; a carriage mounted to the body of the clamp for translational motion relative to the body; an elongated positioning member having one end joined to the carriage for rotation about the joined end, another end of the positioning member being connectable to a surgical retractor; and an elevator connected to the clamp body and including drive means for driving the translational motion of the carriage thereby to change the elevation of the carriage and joined positioning member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a brake mounted to the clamp body and operable by pressurized fluid for preventing motion of the carriage relative to the clamp body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the elevator includes an actuator having an extendable and retractable length, the actuator being connected between the clamp body and the carriage and configured for receiving and exhausting pressurized fluid applied thereto for extending and retracting the actuator length.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising regulation means for varying the pressure level of the fluid applied to the actuator.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of using a surgical retraction apparatus, comprising the steps of: connecting a surgical retractor to a first end of an elongated positioning member; connecting the positioning member to a carriage member; providing a stationary support member; mounting the carriage member to the support member for movement relative to the support member; and connecting between the carriage member and the support member an actuator having a movable part, so that movement of the actuator part moves the carriage and connected positioning member thereby to change the position of the surgical retractor.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of using a surgical retraction apparatus, comprising the steps of: connecting a surgical retractor to a first end of an elongated positioning member; connecting the positioning member to a carriage member; providing a stationary support member; mounting the carriage member to the support member for movement relative to the support member; and connecting between the carriage member and the support member an actuator having a movable part, so that movement of the actuator part moves the carriage and connected positioning member thereby to change the position of the surgical retractor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 including the step of directing to and from the actuator pressurized fluid for moving the movable part of the actuator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 15 including the step of providing on the positioning member a switch for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid to and from the actuator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 including the step of mounting to the support member a brake for releasably locking together the carriage member and the support member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-12-20 | 1997-06-21 | 1997-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-20 | 2001-06-21 | 2001-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-20 | 2005-06-21 | 2005-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |