Vance Products Inc.

Greg O Lund

Frederick D Roemer

A surgical retractor, retainer, tensioner, tenaculum, spreader or stabilizer (10) useful in open surgical procedures, or in laparoscopic or other endoscopic procedures, includes a plurality of tissue-engaging elements (12, 14) (such as a plurality of atraumatic hooks (18)) connected by a central elastic member (16). The elastic member (16) is preferably composed of a medical grade rubber, silicone or fluoropolymer elastomer, and is preferably configured or shaped as an O-ring (22) or regular polygon (66, 74, 88, or 92). When the retractor (10) is intended and particularly adapted for use in laparoscopic or other endoscopic procedures, the elastic member (16) is collapsible in a direction transverse to an imaginary line drawn between the plurality of tissue engaging elements (12, 14), so as to allow the retractor (10) to be passed through a surgical cannula into and out of the patient's body during the procedure. Alternatively, when the retractor (10) is intended and particularly adapted for use in any surgical procedure (that is, not limited to use in laparoscopic procedures), the elastic member (16) is directly connected to the plurality of tissue-engaging elements (12, 14), such that there are no disparate, rigid intermediate portions between the individual tissue-engaging elements (12, 14). The former embodiment is particularly advantageous in that retraction can be entirely performed within the body space enclosing the surgical site. Both embodiments are particularly advantageous in being of simple and inexpensive construction, yet allowing the elimination of the surgical assistant previously required for performing retraction, and saving the time needed for the surgeon to instruct such an assistant during retraction.

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Wasilla, AK, United States of America

Greg O Lund