Abstract: A dilitation catheter is disclosed including an elongate tubular body and a control rod extending therethrough from a proximal control end to a distal operating end. Adjacent the distal operating end is a pair of rigid or semi-rigid jaws which when closed substantially extend to a point. The jaws are hinged together at there rear by one of a pair of pivotal hinges or a resilient tubular section which allows the jaws to move between a closed position and an open position axial movement of the control rod. In one aspect of the invention, a resilient connection between the jaws and the elongate tubular body is foraminous to allow flow of bodily fluids through the operating jaws end of the catheter while the jaws are expanding luminal walls in a patient's body. Also, a guide wire may be utilized through the elongate tubular body and the operating jaws to provide for more exact placement of the operating end of the catheter.

Abstract: An improved organ retractor includes an elongate handle and a rigid stem extending from one end of the elongate handle. A hollow sleeve is positioned around the stem and is axially slidable along the stem from a retracted position partly inside of said handle to an extended position. The sleeve is bifurcated or divided axially in half adjacent a distal end thereof to define two opposed elongate resilient fingers. The distal ends of each of the fingers are movable from a closed position wherein those distal ends are substantially adjacent each other surrounding the rigid stem to an open position wherein the distal ends are spaced from each other. A connector arm is positioned between each of the fingers and the rigid stem. The connector arms move the fingers to an open position when the stem is in one of the retracted and extended positions and move the fingers to a closed position when the stem is in the other of the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: An organ retractor includes a tubular introducer which is adapted to be inserted through a body into an underlying body cavity and a multi-fingered tool which is insertable into through the body wall into the body cavity. The fingers are formed of a spring material and have a naturally curved configuration so as to spread out when pushed beyond the distal end of the introducer. A plurality of filaments attached to the fingers provide bridges when the fingers are in the extended positions.