Retractor Tool For Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery

Abstract

A retractor system, kit and method of use includes a plurality of retractors for use in retracting a wound during a minimally-invasive hip replacement surgery to define an access space to a surgical site is discussed. Each of the retractors comprises a handle portion configured to be held by a user, a curved bend portion distal of the handle portion, and a wound contact portion attached to the curved bend portion. The wound contact portion is configured to contact tissue of the wound when at least a portion of the retractor is inserted through a skin incision that defines the wound. Each retractor also has a distal portion disposed distally of the wound contact portion, wherein the wound contact portion has a generally curved cross-sectional profile perpendicular to its length that is configured to prevent necrosis of the tissue during retraction. In addition, the cross-sectional profile provides an improved line of sight during the surgical procedure. Furthermore, the cross-sectional profile prevents the jamming of a cutting device, such as a reamer inserted through the incision, while the retractors retract the wound.

1 . A retractor for use in surgery, the retractor comprising:
 a) a handle configured to be held by a user;   b) a wound contact plate comprising at least a proximal wound contact plate portion having spaced apart front and back proximal planar plate faces providing a plate thickness extending to first and second plate edges; and   c) a solid intermediate shaft comprising a shaft length extending from a proximal shaft portion to a distal shaft portion, wherein the proximal shaft portion is connected to the handle along a first axis and the distal shaft portion is rigidly connected to the proximal wound contact plate portion along a second axis,   d) wherein an intermediate bend portion of the shaft extends from the first axis to the second axis through a bend angle ranging from 70° to 130°,   e) wherein a first plane is aligned along the second axis and at least the proximal wound contact plate portion rigidly connected to the distal shaft portion, the first plane bisecting the proximal wound contact plate portion between the front and back planar proximal plate faces and extending to the right and left plate edges, and   f) wherein at least the bend portion of the shaft and the distal shaft portion have a round cross-section perpendicular to the shaft length with a diameter of the round cross-section being less than a maximum width of the wound contact plate portion measured from the right plate edge to the left plate edge.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the round cross-section of at least the bend portion of the shaft and the distal shaft portion has a diameter that ranges from 5 mm to 10 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the handle has an opening extending through a handle thickness. 
     
     
         5 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a planar top surface. 
     
     
         6 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the wound contact plate comprises a distal prong extending from the proximal wound contact plate portion. 
     
     
         7 . The retractor of  claim 6 , wherein the distal prong of the wound contact plate extends either away from the second axis of the distal shaft portion or towards the first axis of the proximal shaft portion. 
     
     
         8 . The retractor of  claim 6  wherein the distal prong of the wound contact plate extends along a second plane bisecting the distal prong between distal front and back prong faces. 
     
     
         9 . The retractor of  claim 8 , wherein the second plane bisecting the distal prong extends either away from the second axis of the distal shaft portion or towards the first axis of the proximal shaft portion. 
     
     
         10 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the bend portion of the shaft has a radius of curvature ranging from 2 mm to 50 mm. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor is composed of a metal, a polymer or a ceramic material. 
     
     
         14 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The retractor of  claim 1  wherein the shaft has a round cross-section extending from the proximal shaft portion connected to the handle to the distal shaft portion connected to the proximal wound contact plate portion. 
     
     
         24 . The retractor of  claim 1  wherein the second axis bisects the proximal wound contact plate portion between the first and second planar plate edges. 
     
     
         25 . A retractor for use in surgery, the retractor comprising:
 a) a handle configured to be held by a user;   b) a wound contact plate comprising a proximal wound contact plate portion and a distal prong extending from the proximal wound contact plate portion, wherein the proximal wound contact plate portion has spaced apart front and back planar proximal plate faces providing a plate thickness extending to first and second plate edges; and   c) a solid intermediate shaft comprising a shaft length-extending from a proximal shaft portion to a distal shaft portion, wherein the proximal shaft portion is connected to the handle along a first axis and the distal shaft portion is rigidly connected to the proximal wound contact plate portion along a second axis,   d) wherein an intermediate bend portion of the shaft extends from the first axis to the second axis through a bend angle ranging from 70° to 130°,   e) wherein a first plane is aligned along the second axis and at least the proximal wound contact plate portion rigidly connected to the distal shaft portion, the first plane bisecting the proximal wound contact plate portion between the front and back planar proximal plate faces and extending to the right and left plate edges, and   f) wherein the distal prong of the wound contact plate extends either away from the second axis of the distal shaft portion or towards the first axis of the proximal shaft portion, and   g) wherein the shaft has a round cross-section extending from the proximal shaft portion connected to the handle to the distal shaft portion connected to the proximal wound contact plate portion with a diameter of the round cross-section being less than a maximum width of the wound contact plate portion measured from the right plate edge to the left plate edge.   
     
     
         26 . The retractor of  claim 25  wherein the round cross-section of the shaft has a diameter that ranges from 5 mm to 10 mm. 
     
     
         27 . The retractor of  claim 25  wherein the second axis bisects the proximal wound contact plate portion between the first and second planar plate edges. 
     
     
         28 . The retractor of  claim 25  wherein the bend portion of the shaft has a radius of curvature ranging from 2 mm to 50 mm. 
     
     
         29 . A retractor for use in surgery, the retractor comprising:
 a) a handle configured to be held by a user;   b) a wound contact plate comprising a proximal wound contact plate portion and a distal prong extending from the proximal wound contact plate portion, wherein the proximal wound contact plate portion has spaced apart front and back planar proximal plate faces providing a plate thickness extending to first and second plate edges; and   c) a solid intermediate shaft comprising a shaft length-extending from a proximal shaft portion to a distal shaft portion, wherein the proximal shaft portion is connected to the handle along a first axis and the distal shaft portion is rigidly connected to the proximal wound contact plate portion along a second axis,   d) wherein an intermediate bend portion of the shaft extends from the first axis to the second axis through a bend angle ranging from 70° to 130°,   e) wherein a first plane is aligned along the second axis and at least the proximal wound contact plate portion rigidly connected to the distal shaft portion, the first plane bisecting the proximal wound contact plate portion between the front and back planar proximal plate faces and extending to the right and left plate edges, and   f) wherein the distal prong of the wound contact plate extends along a second plane bisecting the distal prong between distal front and back prong faces and wherein the second plane extends either away from the second axis of the distal shaft portion or towards the first axis of the proximal shaft portion, and   g) wherein the shaft has a round cross-section extending from the proximal shaft portion connected to the handle to the distal shaft portion connected to the proximal wound contact plate portion with a diameter of the round cross-section being less than a maximum width of the wound contact plate portion measured from the right plate edge to the left plate edge.   
     
     
         30 . The retractor of  claim 29  wherein the round cross-section of the shaft has a diameter that ranges from 5 mm to 10 mm. 
     
     
         31 . The retractor of  claim 29  wherein the second axis bisects the proximal wound contact plate portion between the first and second planar plate edges. 
     
     
         32 . The retractor of  claim 29  wherein the bend portion of the shaft has a radius of curvature ranging from 2 mm to 50 mm.