Retraction system

Abstract

The invention relates to a retraction system for exposing accesses in human medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine, wherein said retraction system is arranged on the respective body region and has at least one hook-shaped retractor element and retaining means for fixing the latter. The retraction system is characterized in that it is made of a radioparent material and in that it has a self-retaining action and/or is flexible at least in some areas such that, during retraction, a flexible element or a flexible section nestles against a tissue that is to be retracted.

1 . A retraction system for providing surgical access into an incision on a body section, the retraction system comprising:
 at least two functional elements, each functional element comprising:
 a flexible tape-shaped element; and 
 a flexible retractor element disposed on a first end of the flexible tape-shaped element, wherein the flexible retractor element is integral with the flexible tape-shaped element, wherein the flexible retractor element is embodied to be inserted into the incision; and 
   means for holding the at least two functional elements on the body section;   wherein each functional element is flexible enough, at least in sections, to bend and conform to tissue to be retracted within the incision while still spreading and holding down the tissue for retraction.   
     
     
         2 . The retraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible tape-shaped element of at least one of the at least two functional elements comprises a tape-like end opposite the flexible retractor element, and wherein the means for holding comprises at least in part the tape-like end. 
     
     
         3 . The retraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two functional elements comprises a first functional element and a second functional element, wherein the first functional element comprises a closing element on an end of the flexible tape-shaped element of the first functional element opposite the flexible retractor element of the first functional element, wherein the means for holding comprises at least the closing element and a lock element, and wherein the lock element is configured to receive the closing element of the first functional element to selectively secure the first functional element in a desired position on the body section. 
     
     
         4 . The retraction system of  claim 3 , wherein the closing element of the first functional element is configured to be inserted into the lock element and the lock element is configured to receive the closing element of the first functional element to selectively secure the first functional element in a desired position on the body section. 
     
     
         5 . The retraction system of  claim 3 , wherein the lock element has means for inserting, laying-in, and/or snapping-in the closing element of the first functional element to selectively secure the first functional element in a desired position on the body section. 
     
     
         6 . The retraction system of  claim 3 , wherein the second functional element comprises the lock element on an end of the flexible tape-shaped element of the second functional element opposite the flexible retractor element of the second functional element. 
     
     
         7 . The retraction system of  claim 3 , wherein the closing element and the lock element are configured to be adjusted continuously with respect to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The retraction system of  claim 3 , wherein the lock element is a separate part from the at least two functional elements. 
     
     
         9 . The retraction system of  claim 8 , wherein the second functional element comprises a closing element on an end of the flexible tape-shaped element of the second functional element opposite the flexible retractor element of the second functional element, wherein the means for holding further comprises the closing element of the second functional element, and wherein the lock element is configured to receive the closing element of the first functional element and the closing element of the second functional element to selectively secure the first functional element and the second functional element in a desired position on the body section. 
     
     
         10 . The retraction system of  claim 3 , wherein the closing element comprises means for positioning the lock element relative to the closing element. 
     
     
         11 . The retraction system of  claim 3 , wherein the lock element is configured to receive a plurality of closing elements. 
     
     
         12 . The retraction system of  claim 11 , wherein the lock element is configured to receive two closing elements at an angle with respect to each other in the range of 0° to 180°. 
     
     
         13 . The retraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the retraction system is at least partially made of a material transparent to x-rays. 
     
     
         14 . The retraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two functional elements are first functional elements, and wherein the retraction system further comprises:
 a second functional element, wherein the second functional element is free of a retractor element, and wherein the second functional element comprises at least in part the means for holding.   
     
     
         15 . The retraction system of  claim 14 , wherein the second functional element comprises a flexible tape-shaped element. 
     
     
         16 . The retraction system of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the first functional elements comprise at least a first first functional element and a second first functional element, wherein the first first functional element comprises a closing element on an end of the flexible tape-shaped element of the first first functional element opposite the flexible retractor element of the first first functional element, wherein the second first functional element comprises a closing element on an end of the flexible tape-shaped element of the second first functional element opposite the flexible retractor element of the second first functional element, wherein the means for holding comprises at least a lock element configured to receive at least one of the closing elements, and wherein the lock element is disposed on the second functional element.   
     
     
         17 . The retraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible retractor element of at least one of the at least two functional elements comprises a flexible hook-shaped retractor element. 
     
     
         18 . The retraction system of  claim 1 , wherein each flexible retractor element comprises a flexible hook-shaped retractor element. 
     
     
         19 . The retraction system of  claim 1 , wherein each functional element is flexible enough, at least in sections, that during a retraction the flexible retractor element nestles against tissue being retracted. 
     
     
         20 . The retraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two functional elements are disposable. 
     
     
         21 . A retraction method, comprising:
 providing the retraction system of  claim 1 ;   inserting the flexible retractor elements into the incision;   bending the flexible retractor elements to conform the flexible retractor elements to tissue within the incision; and   holding the at least two functional elements on the body section.