Abstract: A medical instrument for spreading tissue includes a main body portion and upper and lower arms coupled to the main body portion. One of the arms is a translatable first arm that translates relative to the main body portion. Upper and lower fingers are coupled to the upper and lower arms, respectively, for engaging and spreading the tissue upon movement of one of the fingers. A translating mechanism adjusts to translate the translatable first arm along the main body portion between a primary position adjacent the other of the arms, referred to as a second arm, and a secondary position spaced from the primary position. An adjustment member engages a lever portion extending from the second arm and causes movement of the lever portion towards and away from the main body portion to adjust an angle between the fingers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spreadable retractor, including a rake plate having a pair of laterally separated rake mountings; a pair of rakes, one of the rakes moveably mounted to each of the laterally separated rake mountings, wherein each of the rakes comprises a rake shaft extending away from the rake plate; and a rake spreader mounted to the rake plate at a position between the laterally separated rake mountings, the rake spreader operably linked to and configured to spread the pair of rakes apart from each other. The spreadable retractor of the present invention provides the ability for surgical personnel to use a single device to both lift and spread tissues and bones in the vicinity of a surgical incision.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spreadable retractor, including a rake plate having a pair of laterally separated rake mountings; a pair of rakes, one of the rakes moveably mounted to each of the laterally separated rake mountings, wherein each of the rakes comprises a rake shaft extending away from the rake plate; and a rake spreader mounted to the rake plate at a position between the laterally separated rake mountings, the rake spreader operably linked to and configured to spread the pair of rakes apart from each other. The spreadable retractor of the present invention provides the ability for surgical personnel to use a single device to both lift and spread tissues and bones in the vicinity of a surgical incision.