Genzyme Corporation

Douglas G Evans

Christopher S Looney

Donna D Holland

An illuminated surgical retractor for illuminating a subcutaneous surgical field in the space between a vessel, such as the saphenous vein, and the subcutaneous tissue when the illuminated retractor is used to retract the subcutaneous tissue away from the superior surface of the vessel, the illuminated surgical retractor having a handle member pivotally connected at an acute angle to a first elongate section and a second elongate section that is releasably connected to the first elongate section and a portion of the second elongate section defining an illumination input end portion which is optically coupled to a light source so that the second elongate section is substantially illuminated, and, a shroud member is positioned on the proximal end portion of the first elongate section to aid in the dissection of the intervening tissue.

Pivotal and illuminated saphenous vein retractor

A retractor comprising a rack having a first section and a second section, a first blade fixedly attached to the rack, and a second blade movably attached to the rack. The first and second blades engage two adjacent ribs in a patient. The first section and the second section of the rack form a nonlinear angle therebetween so that when the first section is horizontally disposed, the second section is disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal plane. The present invention also uses an external lifting device disposed above the retractor and that creates an upwardly-directed force on the second blade. The retractor increases the field of vision for the surgeon based on the design of the rack and the use of the external lifting device.

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Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Douglas G Evans