Surgical retractor system

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved surgical retractor system useful for holding tissue away from a surgical site during a medical or dental procedure. In one embodiment, the surgical retractor system is comprised of a tubular member, such as a cannula, and a retractor member. In an embodiment, the retractor member may be ring shaped. The retractor member preferably may have an opening therethrough for receiving the cannula. An engaging member associated with the retractor member may be provided for rotatably engaging the cannula. In one embodiment, the cannula may have external threads that are releaseably engaged with the engaging member and allows the degree or amount of tissue retraction to be adjusted. The cannula may be configured to be used with and secured to a handle to facilitate using the retractor system. A method of using the retractor system is also disclosed.

1 . A surgical retractor system comprising: 
 an elongated tubular member;    a retractor member having a side surface and an opening configured and adapted to receive the tubular member, and    an engaging member received in the side surface of the retractor, wherein the engaging member engages the tubular member;    wherein rotation of one of the tubular member and the retractor member rotatably engages the retractor with the tubular member.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising the tubular member having external threads disposed on at least part of the tubular member for rotatably engaging the engaging member of the retractor.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the engaging member is disposed in a bore in the side surface of the retractor member, the bore extending from an outer surface of the retractor member to and in communication with the opening in the retractor member.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the engaging member has a blunted tip protruding at least partially into the opening of the retractor member for engaging the external threads of the tubular member.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the engaging member comprises a screw and the retractor member has a threaded hole communicating with the opening of the retractor member, the screw being disposed in the threaded hole.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the engaging member comprises threads disposed on the retractor member adjacent the opening for receiving the tubular member, the threads of the retractor member engageable with the threads of the tubular member.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising the tubular member having a knob for rotating the tubular member.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the tubular member is a cannula.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the retractor member is shaped substantially like a ring.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising the retractor having at least one hole configured to engage at least part of a surgical instrument for manipulating the retractor member.  
     
     
         11 . A cheek retractor system comprising: 
 a cannula having threads disposed on at least a portion of the cannula;    a retractor member having a side surface and an opening through the retractor member for receiving the cannula; and    an engaging member positioned within the side surface of the retractor member, the engaging member rotatably engaging the cannula.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the engaging member is a screw having a tip, the tip of the screw protruding at least partially into the opening of the retractor for engaging the cannula.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the engaging member comprises threads disposed on the retractor member adjacent the opening for receiving the tubular member.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising the cannula having a distal end, a proximal end, and a window at the proximal end for facilitating observation or irrigation of the surgical site.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising the retractor member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one hole extending at least partially through the side surface for engaging part of a surgical instrument to manipulate the retractor member.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising at least one hole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the retractor member for manipulating the retractor member.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11  further comprising at least two holes extending at least partially through the retractor member, the at least two holes each configured to receive part of a tool for manipulating the retractor member.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the engaging member comprises a tip protruding at least partially into the retractor member opening.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the engaging member is a screw that is threadably connected to the retractor member.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the engaging member is a pin.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the engaging member comprises threads disposed in the retractor opening.  
     
     
         22 - 38 . (canceled)  
     
     
         39 . A retractor system for insertion in a body for contacting and moving body tissue comprising: 
 an elongated tubular member made of a biologically compatible material; and    a retractor member having a surface for contacting body tissue and an opening configured and adapted to receive the tubular member, the retractor member further having an engaging member for engaging the tubular member, wherein rotation of one of the tubular member and the retractor member rotatably engages the retractor with the tubular member.