Retractor tools for minimally invasive hip surgery

Abstract

A retractor system, kit and method of use include 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retractor for use in surgery, the retractor comprising:
 a) a handle configured to be held by a user, wherein the handle extends to opposed handle first and second ends;   b) a first wound contact plate;   c) a first shaft comprising a first shaft length extending from a proximal first shaft portion to a distal first shaft portion, wherein the proximal first shaft portion is connected to the handle first end and the distal first shaft portion is rigidly connected to the first wound contact plate;   d) a second wound contact plate; and   e) a second shaft comprising a second shaft length extending from a proximal second shaft portion to a distal second shaft portion, wherein the proximal second shaft portion is connected to the handle second end and the distal second shaft portion is rigidly connected to the second wound contact plate.   
     
     
         2 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the first wound contact plate comprises spaced apart front and back first plate faces providing a first plate thickness extending to right and left first plate edges, and wherein the distal first shaft portion has a first round cross-section perpendicular to the first shaft length with a first diameter of the first round cross-section being less than a first maximum width of the first wound contact plate measured from the right first plate edge to the left first plate edge. 
     
     
         3 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein a first imaginary plane bisects at least the distal first shaft portion and the first wound contact plate, and is a first plane of symmetry. 
     
     
         4 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the first shaft portion has the first round cross-section extending from the proximal first shaft portion connected to the handle first end to the distal first shaft portion connected to the first wound contact plate. 
     
     
         5 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the second wound contact plate comprises spaced apart front and back second plate faces providing a second plate thickness extending to right and left second plate edges, and wherein the distal second shaft portion has a second round cross-section perpendicular to the second shaft length with a second diameter of the second round cross-section being less than a second maximum width of the second wound contact plate measured from the right second plate edge to the left second plate edge. 
     
     
         6 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the second shaft portion has the second round cross-section extending from the second proximal shaft portion connected to the handle second end to the distal second shaft portion connected to the second wound contact plate. 
     
     
         7 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein a second imaginary plane bisects at least the distal second shaft portion and the second wound contact plate, and is a second plane of symmetry. 
     
     
         8 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein a prong extends distally from at least one of the first and second wound contact plates. 
     
     
         9 . The retractor of  claim 8 , wherein the prong extends either away from or towards the respective first and second proximal shaft portion. 
     
     
         10 . The retractor of  claim 8 , wherein the prong has a length and a width and wherein the prong width decreases along the prong length to a pointed distal end of the prong. 
     
     
         11 . The retractor of  claim 8 , wherein the prong extending distally from the wound contact plate has a length ranging from 2 mm to 10 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the first shaft portion has a first radius of curvature intermediate the handle first end and the first wound contact plate. 
     
     
         13 . The retractor of  claim 12 , wherein the proximal first shaft portion is perpendicular to the distal first shaft portion. 
     
     
         14 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the second shaft portion has a second radius of curvature intermediate the handle second end and the second wound contact plate. 
     
     
         15 . The retractor of  claim 14 , wherein the proximal second shaft portion is perpendicular to the distal second shaft portion. 
     
     
         16 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein a first height is measured from the proximal first shaft portion to a first distal end of the first wound contact plate and a second height is measured from the proximal second shaft portion to a second distal end of the second wound contact plate, and wherein the first height ranges from about 50 mm to about 150 mm, and the second height ranges from about 20 mm to about 80 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the retractor is of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a polymer, and a ceramic. 
     
     
         18 . A retractor for use in surgery, the retractor comprising:
 a) a handle configured to be held by a user, wherein the handle extends to opposed first and second handle ends;   b) a first wound contact plate comprising spaced apart front and back first plate faces providing a plate thickness extending to right and left first plate edges;   c) a first shaft comprising a first shaft length extending from a proximal first shaft portion to a distal first shaft portion, wherein the proximal first shaft portion is connected to the first handle end and the distal first shaft portion is rigidly connected to the first wound contact plate;   d) a second wound contact plate comprising spaced apart front and back second plate faces providing a plate thickness extending to right and left second plate edges; and   e) a second shaft comprising a second shaft length extending from a proximal second shaft portion to a distal second shaft portion, wherein the proximal second shaft portion is connected to the second handle end and the distal second shaft portion is rigidly connected to the second wound contact plate,   f) wherein the distal first shaft portion has:
 i) a first round cross-section perpendicular to the first shaft length with a first diameter of the first round cross-section being less than a maximum width of the first wound contact plate measured from the right first plate edge to the left first plate edge, and 
 ii) wherein a first imaginary plane bisects at least the distal first shaft portion and the first wound contact plate, and is a first plane of symmetry, and 
   g) wherein the distal second shaft portion has:
 i) a second round cross-section perpendicular to the second shaft length with a second diameter of the second round cross-section being less than a maximum width of the second wound contact plate measured from the right second plate edge to the left second plate edge, and 
 ii) wherein a second imaginary plane bisects at least the distal second shaft portion and the second wound contact plate, and is a second plane of symmetry.