US5993385A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-aligning side-loading surgical retractor
Assignee: Pacific Surgical Innovations Inc
•
Filing: 1997-08-18
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Granted: 1999-11-30
•
Expires: 2017-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A surgical retractor with interchangeable retractor blades allows the retractor blades to be positioned in an incision before being side-loaded into the retractor body and locked in place. The surgical retractor uses a nipple connector with a conical base and a rounded head which fits into and self-aligns in a corresponding socket.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry Johnston
- 👤 Thomas Wiedenmaier
- 👤 Daniel Bass
- 👤 Todd Pope
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A surgical retractor, comprising: a retractor blade having a retracting surface and a nipple connector, the nipple connector being tapered from wide to narrow in a generally perpendicular direction away from the retracting surface of the retractor blade; and a retractor body having a socket, the socket removably receiving the nipple connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A surgical retractor, comprising: a retractor blade having a retracting surface and a nipple connector, the nipple connector being tapered from wide to narrow in a generally perpendicular direction away from the retracting surface of the retractor blade; and a retractor body having a socket, the socket removably receiving the nipple connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The surgical retractor of claim 1, wherein the nipple connector has a generally circular cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 1, wherein the nipple connector is not tapered continuously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical retractor of claim 1, wherein the retractor blade is contoured to fit the retractor body so as to prevent the retractor blade from swinging.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical retractor of claim 4, wherein the retractor blade is bent at two right angles so as to fit around the retractor body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 1, wherein the retractor body is a transverse retractor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 1, wherein the retractor body is a longitudinal retractor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A surgical retractor, comprising: a retractor blade having a retracting surface and a nipple connector, the nipple connector having a generally cylindrical section and a conical frustum section having a top and a base, the top being coupled to the generally cylindrical section, the base being coupled substantially perpendicular to the retracting surface; and a retractor body having a socket, the socket removably receiving the nipple connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
A surgical retractor, comprising: a retractor blade having a retracting surface and a nipple connector, the nipple connector having a generally cylindrical section and a conical frustum section having a top and a base, the top being coupled to the generally cylindrical section, the base being coupled substantially perpendicular to the retracting surface; and a retractor body having a socket, the socket removably receiving the nipple connector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical retractor of claim 8, wherein the retractor blade is contoured to fit the retractor body so as to prevent the retractor blade from swinging.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical retractor of claim 9, wherein the retractor blade is bent at two right angles so as to fit around the retractor body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 8, wherein the retractor body is a transverse retractor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 8, wherein the retractor body is a longitudinal retractor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The surgical retractor of claim 8, wherein the socket has a generally cylindrical hollow and a conical frustum hollow having a mouth and a waist, the mouth being configured to receive the nipple connector and guide the cylindrical section into the waist, the waist being continuous with the generally cylindrical hollow.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical retractor of claim 13, wherein the retractor blade is contoured to fit the retractor body so as to prevent the retractor blade from swinging.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical retractor of claim 14, wherein the retractor blade is bent at two right angles so as to fit around the retractor body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 13, wherein the retractor body is a transverse retractor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 13, wherein the retractor body is a longitudinal retractor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical retractor of claim 8, wherein the nipple connector further includes a rounded head section coupled to the generally cylindrical section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
The surgical retractor of claim 18, wherein the socket has a generally cylindrical hollow and a conical frustum hollow having a mouth and a waist, the mouth being configured to receive the nipple connector and guide the rounded head section into the waist, the waist being continuous with the generally cylindrical hollow.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical retractor of claim 19, wherein the retractor blade is contoured to fit the retractor body so as to prevent the retractor blade from swinging.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical retractor of claim 20, wherein the retractor blade is bent at two right angles so as to fit around the retractor body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 19, wherein the retractor body is a transverse retractor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical retractor of claim 19, wherein the retractor body is a longitudinal retractor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
A surgical retractor blade, comprising: a generally planar retracting section; a generally cylindrical section; and a conical frustum section having a top and a base, the top being coupled to the cylindrical section, the base being coupled to the retracting section.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
A surgical retractor blade, comprising: a generally planar retracting section; a generally cylindrical section; and a conical frustum section having a top and a base, the top being coupled to the cylindrical section, the base being coupled to the retracting section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical retractor blade of claim 24, further comprising: a rounded head section coupled to the generally cylindrical section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
A surgical retractor, comprising: a retractor body having a socket, the socket having a generally cylindrical hollow and a conical frustum hollow, the conical frustum hollow having a mouth and a waist, the mouth configured to receive a nipple connector of a retractor blade, the waist being continuous with the generally cylindrical hollow.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
A surgical retractor, comprising: a retractor body having a socket, the socket having a generally cylindrical hollow and a conical frustum hollow, the conical frustum hollow having a mouth and a waist, the mouth configured to receive a nipple connector of a retractor blade, the waist being continuous with the generally cylindrical hollow.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-05-31 | 2003-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-29 | 2007-05-31 | 2007-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-29 | 2011-05-31 | 2011-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |