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  Internal tissue retractorUSPTO Application #: 20060052669Title: Internal tissue retractor Abstract: A positionable internal retraction device is provided comprising a malleable ring member and a web-like structure. The retraction device operates to temporarily reposition tissues and organs from an operative site to provide a clear access and visual path for the surgeon. The ring member may be elongated, twisted, folded, bent or deformed to provide an appropriate insertion profile and subsequent functional shape. The retraction device may be shaped for both open and minimally invasive surgeries. The retraction device is atraumatic and may be used for retraction of delicate tissues and organs. The ring member may have different bending biases. The web-like structure may be constructed of any elastic material that can stretch and recover from the shaping and reshaping of the ring member. In another aspect of the invention, the ring member further comprises an internal lumen defining a wall, which may be of any geometric shape providing a desired bending bias. The ring member may further include a reinforcement member placed within the lumen and made of a “shape memory” material that allows the reinforcement member to return to its desired shape or condition after being bent. The reinforcement member may be placed in some sections of the ring member to keep these sections substantially straight. Each of the ring member, the reinforcement member and the internal wall may have a cross-section or profile of any geometric shape to provide a desired bending bias in a preferred plane. In yet another aspect of the invention, the ring member further comprises a second lumen and a second reinforcement member placed within the second lumen to provide a desired bending bias. (end of abstract)
Agent: Applied Medical Resouces Corporation - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, US Inventor: Charles C Hart USPTO Applicaton #: 20060052669 - Class: 600206000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery, Specula, Retractor, Having Flexible, Malleable Or Shape Memory Material The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060052669. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This is a non-provisional application claiming the priority of provisional application Ser. No. 60/442,390, filed on Jan. 24, 2003, entitled "Internal Tissue Retractor," which is fully incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to surgical retractors and, in particular, to a retractor for retracting tissues and organs to facilitate access and viewing during a surgical procedure. [0004] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art [0005] Surgical procedures often require temporary retraction of surrounding tissues and organs from the immediate surgical site to provide an access and viewing path for the surgeon. In the prior art, clamps, towels and other makeshift methods have been used to separate and hold structures in a preferred position away from the point of surgery. Retractors have been developed to push and hold tissues and organs away from the surgical site. These devices typically include paddles and/or collapsible fingers that expand after the retractors have been inserted into the body. The retractors may include expandable frames for supporting expandable sheaths or covers. While some of these devices have been successfully used for smaller tissues and organs, the current retractors have had difficulty in clearing the surgical field of larger and more slippery tissues and organs. In particular, the shape, size and fragility of the tissues and organs may present problems during surgery. For example, large, soft organs such as the intestines and/or stomach are often more difficult to retract and hold in place than from harder, less slippery tissues such as the muscles. [0006] Another drawback of the current retraction devices is they typically need to be attached to an external device to provide support and/or manipulation. These devices often need to be over-tightened or compressed to maintain a proper grip and position on the tissues and organs, which may cause damage to delicate tissues and organs. Moreover, a large surgical incision must be made to accommodate all the components of the retraction device. As a result, the surgical site may become cluttered and encumbered by the many additional components of the retraction device. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a retraction device that can be flexibly utilized to clear a surgical site of tissues and organs having different shapes, sizes and fragility. The retraction device should be atraumatic and be able to twist, fold or bend to facilitate insertion and removal. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention is directed to a positionable internal retraction device providing an operable area while holding adjacent structures in a desired position. The retraction device comprises a malleable ring member that supports a web-like structure. The ring member may be elongated, twisted, folded, bent or deformed to provide an appropriate insertion profile and subsequent functional shape. The retraction device may be shaped for both open and minimally invasive surgeries. The retraction device is atraumatic and may be used for retraction of delicate tissues and organs. The ring member may have different cross-sectional construction providing different bending biases. The ring member may include a lumen sized and configured to receive a reinforcement member providing a desired bending bias in a preferred plane. The reinforcement member may comprise a "shape memory" material that enables the reinforcement member to return to its desired shape or condition after being bent. [0008] The web-like structure is constructed of an elastic material such as a bias-woven or knitted fabric that can stretch and recover from the shaping and reshaping of the ring member. The web-like structure operates to retain the body tissues and organs of different shapes and sizes. More particularly, the web-like structure is able to retain both hard and soft body tissues and organs during surgery. It is preferable that the web-like structure is a transparent membrane. [0009] In another aspect of the invention, the ring member further comprises an internal lumen defining a wall, which may be of any geometric shape providing a desired bending bias. The ring member may further comprise a reinforcement member placed within the lumen to provide additional bending bias. The reinforcement member may be formed of a plastic component, a metallic component or any combination thereof. The metallic component includes at least one of aluminum, titanium, stainless steel and Nitenol. In the above aspect of the invention, the reinforcement member may be placed in some sections of the ring member to keep these sections substantially straight. It is appreciated that each of the ring member, the reinforcement member and the internal wall may have a cross-section or profile of any geometric shape to provide a desired bending bias in a preferred plane. In yet another aspect of the invention, the ring member further comprises a second lumen and a second reinforcement member placed within the second lumen to provide a desired bending bias. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) illustrate the arterial and venous systems, respectively, of a human being; [0011] FIG. 2 illustrates an abdominal region of a human being that may have to be retracted during a surgical procedure; [0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a retraction device of the present invention positioned to relocate a portion of the intestines; [0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a ring member of a retraction device of the present invention formed in a first condition; [0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a ring member of a retraction device of the present invention formed in a second condition. [0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a ring member of a retraction device of the present invention formed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; [0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a ring member of a retraction device having a web structure formed on a back side of the ring member; [0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a ring member of a retraction device having a web structure formed on a front side of the ring member; [0018] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate the steps of inserting a retraction device of the present invention into an abdominal region of a human body; [0019] FIG. 12 illustrates a retraction device of the present invention having a knitted web member as it is being held prior to insertion into a surgical incision of a body; [0020] FIG. 13 illustrates a retraction device of the present invention having a woven web member as it is being held prior to insertion into a surgical incision of a body; [0021] FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-section view of a ring member having an oval shape; Continue reading... Full patent description for Internal tissue retractor Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Internal tissue retractor patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Internal tissue retractor or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Optical system for endoscopes Next Patent Application: Endoscopic retractor Industry Class: Surgery ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Internal tissue retractor patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 3.75795 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , |
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