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. 09, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 29, 2001
Robert Ball, Winona Lake, IN (US);
Carl Basamania, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Keith McGrath, Warsaw, IN (US);
Thomas May, Wrentham, MA (US);
DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Abstract
An adjustable self retaining retractor ring assembly is provided. The self retaining retractor ring assembly is formed from two half-rings connected together by hinges to form a 360° enclosure or ring. The hinges allow the two half-rings to bend or pivot 180° relative to a plane of the ring. One of the hinges includes a positionable locking mechanism to lock or set the angular orientation of the two half-rings relative to each other. In this manner, fixed angles for the half-rings can be selected and maintained. Each half-ring includes a plurality of axially protruding pegs or posts (relative to a plane of the half-ring) positioned thereabout. The posts are shaped to releasably accept retractors and/or ancillary instruments thereon. Additionally, each post preferably includes a slot configured to allow for the locking of suture material therein.