Apparatus for retaining otherwise hand-held retractors

Abstract

A retractor retaining device retains an otherwise handheld retractor in the retraction position. The device includes a flexible loop that is detachably attached to a retractor support proximate the surgical wound with the loop engaging a proximal end or handle of the retractor to retain the retractor in the retraction position.

1 . A retractor retaining device for retaining a retractor from a retractor support in a retraction position within a surgical wound, the device comprising: 
 a main body attachable to the retractor support; and    a flexible loop detachably attached at one end to the main body for engaging a proximal end of the retractor such that the retractor is retained in the retraction position.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the flexible loop is attached such that the loop may be adjusted in size for engaging the proximal end of the retractor.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  and further including an attaching mechanism that engages and attaches the retaining device to the retractor support.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the retractor support has a plurality of apertures and the attaching mechanism has an aperture engaging member for engaging one of the apertures.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the aperture engaging member has a plurality of resilient fingers that are insertable into the one of the apertures to engage surfaces of the one aperture.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the fingers define a bore and the attaching mechanism has a peg movable within the bore and wherein the peg moves the resilient fingers in an outwardly radial direction to engage surfaces of the aperture.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the loop includes a flexible cord fixedly attached to the main body at a first end and detachably attached to the main body at a second end such that the length of the loop is adjustable.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the main body includes a V-type slot and wherein the second end of the loop is engageable within the V-type slot such that the second end of the cord is detachably attached to the main body.  
     
     
         9 . A retractor support for retaining a retractor in a retraction position within a surgical wound, the support comprising: 
 a support member positioned near the surgical wound; and    a flexible loop detachably attached at least at one end to the support member and engaging a proximal end of the tractor such that the retractor is retained in the retraction position.    
     
     
         10 . The support of  claim 9  wherein the flexible loop is attached such that the loop may be adjusted in size for engaging the proximal end of the retractor.  
     
     
         11 . The support of  claim 9  and further including an attaching mechanism that engages and attaches the flexible loop to the support member.  
     
     
         12 . The support of  claim 11  wherein the support member has a plurality of apertures and the attaching mechanism has an aperture engaging member for engaging one of the apertures.  
     
     
         13 . The support of  claim 12  wherein the aperture engaging member has a plurality of resilient fingers extending into one of the apertures and engaging surfaces of the one of the apertures.  
     
     
         14 . The support of  claim 13  wherein the fingers define a bore and the attaching mechanism has a peg movable within the bore and wherein the peg moves the resilient fingers in an outwardly radial direction to engage surfaces of the aperture.  
     
     
         15 . The support of  claim 11  wherein the loop includes a flexible cord fixedly attached to the attaching mechanism at a first end and detachably attached to the attaching mechanism at a second end such that the length of the loop is adjustable.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the attaching mechanism includes a V-type slot and wherein the second end of the loop is engageable within the V-type slot such that the second end of the cord is detachably attached to the attaching mechanism.  
     
     
         17 . A retraction device comprising: 
 a retractor support member for positioning near a surgical wound;    a retractor having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end for insertion into the surgical wound; and    a flexible loop secured to the retractor support member for engaging the proximal end of the retractor in a manner that retains the retractor in a retraction position within a surgical wound.    
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the flexible loop is attached such that the loop may be adjusted in size for engaging the proximal end of the retractor.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17  and further including an attaching mechanism that engages and attaches the flexible loop to the retractor support.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein the retractor support has a plurality of apertures and the attaching mechanism has an aperture engaging member for engaging one of the apertures.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the aperture engaging member has a plurality of resilient fingers extending into the one of the apertures and engaging surfaces of one of the apertures.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21  wherein the fingers define a bore and the attaching mechanism has a peg movable within the bore and wherein the peg moves the resilient fingers in an outwardly radial direction to engage surfaces of the aperture.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the loop includes a flexible cord fixedly attached to the attaching mechanism at a first end and detachably attached to the attaching mechanism at a second end such that the length of the loop is adjustable.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the attaching mechanism includes a V-type slot and wherein the second end of the loop is engageable within the V-type slot such that the second end of the cord is detachably attached to the attaching mechanism.  
     
     
         25 . A method of holding a surgical retractor in a retraction position within a surgical wound, the method comprising: 
 providing a support member near the surgical wound;    inserting a distal end of a retractor within the surgical wound and manually positioning the retractor in the retraction position;    and    securing the retractor in the retraction position by engaging a proximal end of the retractor with a flexible loop that is attached to the support member.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  and further comprising: 
 adjusting the size of the loop by disengaging one end of the loop from the support member and re-engaging the loop to the support member with a different loop length.  
 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the loop is engaged or disengaged by engaging a V-shaped slot.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the loop is positioned around the proximal end of the retractor.