The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 12, 2000
Filed:
Feb. 01, 2000
Christopher Sean Looney, Alpharetta, GA (US);
Douglas G Evans, Atlanta, GA (US);
Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
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.