Surgical retractor system

Abstract

A surgical retractor system having a frame and a plurality of arms connected thereto is disclosed. At least one arm is moveable relative to the frame and the relative movement is constrained to a direction along the longitudinal axis of the arm. At least one retractor blade is removably connected to each of the plurality of arms. The blade is fixably rotatable about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the arm to which it is connected.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of surgery comprising:
 identifying a surgical site in a patient;   forming an incision in the patient; and   inserting a retractor system in the patient through the incision, wherein the retractor system includes:
 an arm extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis; 
 a retractor blade extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end of the retractor blade configured to be attached to the distal end of the arm; 
 a pivot member positioned at the distal end of the arm and fixably rotatable about a pivot axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis; and 
 a pivoting adjustment nut and rod system including a pivoting adjustment nut engaged with the pivot member and a pivot rod pivotally attached to the arm at a position spaced proximal to the pivot axis, 
 wherein rotation of the pivoting adjustment nut causes the pivot member to pivot about the pivot axis. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pivoting adjustment nut includes a hollow internal portion with an internally threaded section that engages an externally threaded portion of the pivot rod. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot member includes a dovetail groove to facilitate attachment of the blade to the pivot member. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot member includes a pin protruding outward to stop movement of the retractor blade. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the retractor system further includes a pivotable cover attached to the pivot member, the pivotable cover configured to cover the proximal end of the blade with respect to the pivot member. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot member pivots up to 20° relative to the longitudinal axis of the arm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pivoting adjustment nut and rod system is configured to pivot relative to the longitudinal axis of the arm. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein rotation of the pivoting adjustment nut enables rotation of the retractor blade via a toe-out or toe-in approach. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor blade is curved. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the retractor blade is angled or contoured. 
     
     
         11 . A method of surgery comprising:
 identifying a surgical site in a patient;   forming an incision in the patient; and   inserting a retractor system in the patient through the incision, wherein the retractor system includes:
 an arm extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the arm having an opening near the distal end; 
 a pivot member positioned at the distal end of the arm and fixably rotatable about a pivot axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis; 
 a retractor blade extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end of the retractor blade configured to be attached to the pivot member; and 
 a pivoting adjustment nut and rod system including a pivoting adjustment nut engaged with the pivot member and a pivot rod received in the opening in the arm and pivotally attached to the arm at a position spaced apart from the pivot axis, 
 wherein rotation of the pivoting adjustment nut causes the pivot member to pivot about the pivot axis. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pivoting adjustment nut includes a hollow internal portion with an internally threaded section that engages an externally threaded portion of the pivot rod. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pivot member includes a dovetail groove to facilitate attachment of the blade to the pivot member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pivot member includes a pin protruding outward to stop movement of the retractor blade. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the retractor system further includes a pivotable cover attached to the pivot member, the pivotable cover configured to cover the proximal end of the blade with respect to the pivot member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pivot member pivots up to 20° relative to the longitudinal axis of the arm. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pivoting adjustment nut and rod system is configured to pivot relative to the longitudinal axis of the arm. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein rotation of the pivoting adjustment nut enables rotation of the retractor blade via a toe-out or toe-in approach. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the retractor blade is curved. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the distal end of the retractor blade is angled or contoured.