Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Retractor frame 200, as known to those having ordinary skill in the art, is used to set and maintain the desired position of at least one retractor 202 during a surgical procedure. The retractor 202 is used to hold open a surgical site 210 to provide surgical access and even visual access into patient 204. Retractor frame 200 comprises a plurality of bar supports 212 arranged and configured to be suspended over patient 204. Frame 200 is held in position by frame support arm 206. Frame support arm 206 is fixed to table 208 on which patient 204 is positioned for the surgical procedure. Retractors 202 are fixed to support bar 212 and thereby maintained in a desired position over surgical site 210.
Doppler retractor 10 includes arm 12 and blade 14. Arm 12 is substantially elongated and defined by first end 11 and second end 13. Arm 12 can be fixed to support bar 212 of retractor frame 200 with connector 16. Connector 16 is preferably movably positioned on support bar 212 of frame 200. Connector 16 preferably movably receives arm 12 of Doppler retractor 10.
Arm 12 supports blade 14 on one of first end 11 and second end 13, such that blade 14 opposes support bar 212 of frame 200 to which arm 12 is fixed. Blade 14 can be fixed to arm 12 with blade connector 18. Blade connector 18 preferably allows for loosening and tightening of the fixation between blade 14 and arm 12. In this manner, blade 14 can be positioned as desired with respect to arm 12 and then tightened to maintain that desired position.
Doppler ultrasound sensor 28 is also included. Doppler ultrasound sensor 28 is similar to any ultrasound sensor. As one example, Doppler ultrasound sensor 28 may include a central processing unit (CPU), transducer pulse controls and a display, such as an LCD display. Doppler ultrasound sensor 28 may also include additional equipment, such as a printer, disk storage, and a computer monitor such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor.
Doppler ultrasound sensor 28 may also include a blood flow rate indicator, which could be presented visually, for example, with a light indicator such as an LED, or audibly, for example, with a speaker, both adapted to indicate when a preset blood flow rate has been achieved. Doppler ultrasound sensor 28 may also include an audible sensor adapted to indicate when a preset blood flow rate has been achieved, or to indicate the sound of blood flow. Doppler ultrasound sensor 28, in several embodiments, may be used to calculate blood flow rate proximate to a surgical site where the surgical retractor is being used
Extension arm 102 may be substantially elongated and defined by first end 115 and second end 117. Extension arm 102 may be fixed to arm 112 at one of first end 115 and second end 117 of extension arm 102. Extension arm 102 may be also be movably fixed to arm 112 at one of first end 115 and second end 117 of extension arm 102. Handle 104 is fixed to one of first end 115 and second end 117 such that handle 104 opposes arm 112.
Blade 114 preferably includes outer surface 120 and contact surface 122. In use, contact surface 122 of blade 114 is in contact with patient 204 at a point adjacent to surgical site 210. Blade 114 further includes transducer 24 (See
Arm 112 of Doppler retractor 110 illustrated in
Extension arm 102 of Doppler retractor 110 illustrated in
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are possible examples of implementations, set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.
This application is a utility application that claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/802,655, filed on May 23, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60802655 | May 2006 | US |