Clamping Retractor Assembly
An assembly for retracting soft tissue in a surgical incision, the assembly comprising; a supporting member having first and second ends; a refractor blade having a first distal end and a second proximal end retained at the first end of the support member; a retaining arm which co operates with the support member and receives and supports a clamping assembly; an adjusting assembly which engages the support member and allows the clamping assembly to advance and retract relative to the retractor blade.
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The present invention relates to retraction assemblies and more particularly relates to assemblies for retracting soft tissue during surgery and particularly during spinal surgery. The invention further relates to a G clamp retractor which has an internal component which engages a wound to retract soft tissue and an external component which has the capacity to set and control the degree of retraction. The invention further relates to an assembly which more efficiently retracts the psoas muscle to allow access to spinal vertebrae.
PRIOR ARTIn the field of surgery, conventional retractors used in applications such as spinal surgery include a retractor blade portion that is in contact with the soft tissues and a handle portion that controls the blade position. The blades are inserted into position through the surgical wound. The direction of force applied by the blades to keep the wound open is usually at right angles to this line of entry. This creates mechanical disadvantage and complex mechanisms may need to be employed to overcome tissue resistance—i.e. the tendency or bias of a wound towards closure. As most retractors operate from the wound surface, the distance from the wound surface to the point of contact between retractor blades and the tissue works similar to a vertical cantilever which is suboptimal for the surgeon's requirement for access to the site and also a free end cantilever is not ideal as there is significant force applied at the free end of the retractor by soft tissue. A short retractor handle is generally easier to control and apply force with as the moment is lower. In a long blade the moment is higher. This is especially true when handle is roughly parallel with blade. Strong mechanisms are sometimes required, strong materials needed. Also the known mechanisms occupy space restricting the surgeons access and they may also be complex. The stability of the retractor may also be a problem. Some dual or multi bladed retractors apply spreading forces against the wound edges to stabilize retractors but these apply force that may potentially injure tissues unnecessary for the purpose of exposure but in order to gain retractor stability. Stability is desirable but tissue injury is not. An alternative solution is to use table mounted mechanisms with long mechanical arms but these have great mechanical inefficiency because of the distance from point of fixation i.e. the table, to the point of at which retraction pressure is applied distally. This problem of the difficulty in applying force and retractor instability is worse the deeper the wound and especially when deep structures require refraction.
Spinal operations for various conditions commonly require deep wounds especially when the approach is lateral, anterior lateral or anterior to the spine. Retracting the psoas muscle posteriorly to expose the lateral or anteriolateral spine can be problematic because of the size of the muscle and the depth of the wound. At L45 from a lateral approach this is made even harder because the iliac crest commonly impedes true lateral access for the retractors and instruments, meaning an oblique approach to the spinal disc may be required.
In many spinal operations the retractors lack stability e.g. with deep multi bladed retractors and various forms of tubular refractors. Such retractors regularly require table fixed adjustable arms to improve the stability for the retractor.
Conventional retractors work directly through the surgical wound. Retractors are known that are employed in endoscopic surgery which enter the abdominal cavity via separate ports or incisions. These work directly and do not connect with other parts of a retractor system. There is a system described in the paper by Rao modified from Nakamura. (J Neurosurg Spine 5:468-470, 2006 entitled “Dynamic retraction of the psoas muscle to expose the lumbar spine using the retroperitoneal approach”
- Technical note:
- GANESH RAO, M.D., ROBERT BOHINSKI, M.D., PH.D., IMAN FEIZ-ERFAN, M.D., AND LAURENCE D. RHINES, M.D.
- Nakamura H, Ishikawa T, Konishi S, Seki M, Yamano Y: Psoas
- strapping technique: a new technique for laparoscopic anterior lumbar interbody fusion. J Am Coll Surg 191:686-688, 2000)
That paper describes a technique which applies retraction force via a thread through the patient body wall. A conventional approach is used for the main operation. Tissues are retracted by passing thread through the psoas muscle on a needle. The needle is then removed from thread. A hollow needle is passed through the body wall. Both ends of the thread are then passed through the hollow needle outside the skin. Threads are pulled to gain psoas retraction and then anchored with a forceps which is pulled back by the muscle force against the skin. This system provides for efficient application of retraction force by line of pull being as close as possible to the desired direction of retraction and by avoiding a cantilevered handle.
It would be advantageous if retraction was applied to the psoas muscle by a blade rather than by a thread as blades retract muscle smoothly and are less injurious to surface nerves than the potential strangulation effect from a thread. Blades can also be selected to fit the anatomy under retraction. The blind needle passage may also damage nerves within the psoas muscle. Threading a needle in a wound is fiddly, threads passing through retractor tissues have less stability than a handle. Threads passed through a muscle cannot be repositioned easily.
It would be an advantage in such operations to have a method of retracting the psoas muscle posteriorly to expose the spine or the disc space that avoids the force application and distribution problems associated with deep wounds, long handles and oblique access. These known surgical retraction methods currently all lead to retractors working at considerable mechanical disadvantage.
It would be an advantage to reduce or eliminate the mechanical disadvantage occasioned by the known retraction devices and assemblies and to improve retractor stability and to avoid the aforesaid problems.
The present applicant has previously described devices to improve mechanical advantage for retraction using bone fixation combined with mechanisms to allow retractor blade rotation.
INVENTIONThe present invention provides an assembly which more efficiently retracts muscle to allow access to spinal vertebrae. The present invention further provides an assembly which more efficiently retracts the psoas muscle to allow access to spinal vertebrae. The present invention also provides a method of retraction of soft tissues during spinal surgery which ameliorates the problems of the prior art assemblies and methods.
According to one embodiment a retractor blade and handle are inserted through a main wound. A second handle is inserted through a separate incision. Blade and second handle are then connected in the main wound. Pulling the second handle retracts the blade and tissues efficiently in a preferred direction. The assembly described herein allows the maintenance of the required amount of refraction and maintenance of the retractor position and without either manual holding or securing of the retractor handle to a table mounted arm. Passage of the second handle through the body wall limits motion except for motion in line with the handle. Limiting the motion of the refractor handle further is achieved by its relationship with a plate. The plate is in contact with the body wall. Internally the muscle under retraction exerts a pull on the refractor and its handle. Internal movement of the handle is however prevented by an adjustable stop on the handle which is forced against the plate by the retractor pull. Retraction can be adjusted by movement of the stop.
In its broadest form the present invention comprises:
- an assembly for retracting soft tissue in a surgical wound, the assembly comprising;
- a retractor blade having a first distal end and a second end which includes an associated support member,
- a retaining member having a distal end which engages the support member and a second proximal end which includes a hand operable clamping assembly;
- an adjustable stop which engages a plate, wherein the plate engages a skin surface of a patient to resist said retraction by the soft tissue as the support member is urged to induce retraction by the blade.
According to a preferred embodiment, the support member includes a formation which co operates with a guide member. Preferably the formation is an opening which receives an end of the guide member. According to one embodiment the retaining arm includes at least one threaded region which co operates with said plate, adjustable stop and a locking nut. The guide member co operates with the support member to enable setting of a retraction condition. The assembly allows adjustment of retraction by increasing or decreasing a retraction force.
In another broad form the present invention comprises:
- an assembly for retracting soft tissue in a surgical wound, the assembly comprising;
- a retractor blade having a first distal end and a second end which engages an associated detachable first handle,
- a second handle having a first distal end which engages said blade and a second proximal end which includes a hand operable control element and intermediate therebetween an adjustable stop which engages a plate,
- a guide which engages a second end of the first handle to facilitate alignment of the second handle with an opening in the refractor blade;
- wherein the plate engages a skin surface of a patient to resist said retraction by the soft tissue as second handle urges said blade to induce retraction.
According to a preferred embodiment the guide includes a first end which co operates with the first end of the first handle and a second end which receives a distal end of the second handle thereby guiding the second handle into engagement with said retractor blade.
In another broad form of a method aspect the present invention comprises:
- a method for retracting soft tissue in a surgical would during spinal surgery using an assembly comprising;
- a retractor blade having a first distal end and a second end which engages a support member;
- and an adjustable stop which engages a pressure plate which co operates with the retractor blade during refraction by applying pressure to the body of a patient,
- the method comprising the steps of;
- taking the retractor blade and attaching it to the support member;
- inserting the retractor blade into a surgical incision;
- adjusting a clamping assembly which co operates with a retaining member to exert a retraction force on the retractor blade;
- allowing a bearing member to engage a skin surface of a patient;
- manipulating the support member to induce retraction of the soft tissue against a bearing force applied by the bearing member opposite to the direction of retraction.
The method according to one embodiment comprises the further step of inserting the retaining member into a sleeve in the support member prior to engagement with the retractor blade and prior to insertion of the retractor into the incision.
In another broad form the present invention comprises:
- an assembly for retracting soft tissue in a surgical wound, the assembly comprising;
- a refractor blade having a first distal end comprising a blade arm and a proximal end;
- a retaining arm and a clamping assembly which engages the retaining arm having a first end which is slidably retained by said retention arm and a second end which receives and retains a pressure plate assembly; the clamping assembly including means to enable vertical adjustment to alter the vertical position of the plate assembly relative to the retaining arm.
In another broad form the present invention comprises:
- an assembly for retracting soft tissue in a surgical wound, the assembly comprising;
- a retractor blade having a first distal end comprising a blade arm and a proximal end comprising a retaining arm; a clamping assembly which engages the retaining arm having a first end which is slidably retained by said retention arm and a second end which receives and retains a pressure plate assembly; the clamping assembly including means to enable fine clamping adjustment of the pressure plate when the clamping assembly is set in a selected location along the retaining arm; the fine adjustment determining the extent of clamping force exerted between the blade arm and the pressure plate.
According to a preferred embodiment, the clamping assembly is adjustable relative to the retention arm thereby enabling locking adjustment between the clamping assembly and the blade arm. Preferably, the clamping assembly is telescopically adjustable and includes openings which receive a locking pin which enable the clamping assembly to adopt various vertical positions. The plate assembly allows fine horizontal adjustment according to the clamping force required. The plate of said plate assembly engages a skin surface of a patient to provide an opposing force against retraction of soft tissue to maintain the desired refraction force.
In another broad form the present invention comprises:
- an assembly for retracting soft tissue in a surgical wound, the assembly comprising;
- a retractor blade having a first distal end comprising a blade arm and a proximal end comprising a retaining arm; a clamping assembly which engages the retaining arm having a first end which is slidably retained by said retention arm and a second end which receives and retains a pressure plate assembly; the clamping assembly including means to enable horizontal adjustment to selectively alter the distance between the blade arm and the clamping assembly.
The present invention provides an alternative to the known prior art and the shortcomings identified. The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying representations, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying illustrations, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The examples referred to herein are illustrative and are not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the invention. While various embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be appreciated that these are capable of modification, and therefore the disclosures herein are not to be construed as limiting of the precise details set forth, but to avail such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the description.
Typically a surgical wound is opened to expose or partially expose the surgical target. Structures and soft tissues to be retracted are identified. Refractor blade 2 of assembly 1 as shown in
A more complex arrangement is also envisaged, and described below using separate trocar 6 with sheath, and guide system 13. As can be seen in
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- 1. Method and apparatus for precise positioning of the trocar 6 so that it aligns with ideal blade position. I.e. Guide.
- 2. Large plate 11 and nut 12 are replaced with other mechanisms that spread muscle force over body wall. Such mechanism includes a separate plate that a sleeve engages via threads as shown in
FIG. 1 . Both envisaged embodiments of plate and washer variants increase surface area and are shaped to reduce chances of skin injury. - 3. Sleeves which pass through body wall may also be employed with trocar 6.
Purpose of the sleeve
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- a. By having increased width of sleeve over trocar 6, this increases resistance to motion in line of body wall and thus provides a more stable position for the handle.
- b. Such a sleeve 19 may also be attached to plate 11 thereby making plate 11 more stable.
- c. By fixation to plate 11, sleeve 19 transmits forces from handle 6 to plate by presence of large collar 10 which engages nut 12 on handle 6.
- d. Such a sleeve 19 allows trocar 6 to be removed and replaced with a threaded handle. This avoids having unguarded threads passing through body wall.
- e. Length of sleeve and trocar can be made so that adjusting nut 12 on trocar 6 or handle limits depth that trocar or handle can penetrate.
- f. Sleeve 19 may be adjustable relative to plate 11 which controls depth of sleeve 19 within the body.
The following describes how the assembly is used while adopting the guide 13. After wound opening, a guide 13 is positioned both internal and external to the wound. The external guide 13 sits against the skin aligning with internal guide 20 (see
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- 1. Instead of separate trocar and percutaneous handle 6, these pieces could be Integrated into a 1 piece Trocar/handle which is threaded distally to engage with internal blade 2 and proximally for its own nut 12 to engage large washer. This embodiment avoids the use of a sleeve 19. A washer may have slot, so that drops over handle 6 after skin insertion, the nut on handle engaging the washer directly
- 2. Instead of threaded nut, rack and pinion or other mechanisms may be used to apply controlled forces between percutaneous handle and sleeve collar.
- 3. Trocar or percutaneous handle instead of engaging blade may also engage with handle 5.
- 4. Various mechanism e.g. key mechanism, split pins, various axle fittings etc may be used to connect percutaneous handles and blade. The Method of engagement may be varied to suit requirements of handle e.g. if handle is needed to steer blade other than simply by pulling, a larger handle maybe inserted through a larger wound via a series of concentric tubes dilating a channel through which handle is passed.
- 5. Blades can be any shape or size to suit local anatomy or amount of retraction required.
- 6. Blades of different shape are interchangeable
- 7. Blades have cone shaped opening to allow easy positioning and engagement of threaded part of handle.
- 8. Sleeve and plate could be one piece with set depth for sleeve
- 9. It is also envisaged that a targeting guide can be employed instead of having an external guide that opens and closes around handle as shown. External arm is reversibly fixed to plate. Sleeve is separate from plate. Thus a hole in the plate determines a correct alignment. Measurements are taken from a frame about sleeve depth. Frame is unlocked. Sleeve is screwed to correct depth which will push the plate away from the body wall. Trocar and sleeve are inserted through body wall until plate is flush with skin. Targeting guide is then removed. Various variations of elements are possible all with same broad intent and principles of action.
- 10. Guide function may be accomplished by incorporation of sleeve and plate as part of external guide
- 11. Varying the angle of percutaneous handle thru body wall may also impart downward or upwards force on retractor blade when pulled which helps direct force of blade as desired.
- 12. It is also envisaged that a percutaneous handle could be used to support an internal frame or mechanism that in turn supports multiple retractor blades for e.g. a transpsoas approach.
- 13. Internal frames supporting several blades may also be supported by percutaneous handle e.g. peritoneal blade clip on like an odontoid frame. A frame incorporating round bars in order that blades might rotate is envisaged. Blades might be fixed or hinge about sides of such frames.
- 14. Internal part of the guide may incorporate handle 1 as shown in
FIG. 5 - 15. A series of dilators may be passed over trocar 6 to create protected passage for insertion of various handles that include hooks or keying mechanisms for non threaded engagement with blades.
- 16. Methododology. It is envisaged that handle is passed not only from outside through skin and into wound but also from wound out of skin, in which case handles and blades and other parts are attached after tunneling.
- 17. Handles may be straight or curved with bosses and variations of width with tapers to accommodate external threads and other mechanisms to engage blades and other parts.
- 18. Retractor blades individual may be round or tubular in various shapes.
- 19. Retractor blades may be individual or as part of Multibladed retractors inserted individually or as part of assembly that allows movements of blades. In this embodiment percutaneous handle or handles attaches to some part of assembly adding to stability or ability to control.
- 20. Multiple percutaneous handles may be employed.
- 21. Percutaneous handle may be similar to threaded Steinman pin, inserted with power or hand driver. After insertion, insertion handle or driver may be removed and detachable handle added with nuts and washers for manual control and final positioning
Bearing plate 161 or bearing member 171 could be considerably larger and various shapes to spread clamping force across larger body surface area to accommodate particular anatomical requirements e.g. in cervical surgery.
Other Applications for Percutaneous Retractor Handle Technology
Another spinal operation, where retraction of muscles is difficult is for lumbar pedicle screw insertion. This is difficult because of the force required to get the correct line of entry for screw insertion tools from a conventional midline approach. Strong retraction is required and this has led to very strong devices which may easily injure muscles. Attempts to improve efficiency by using metal retractors which lever off the bone may injure the bone, facet joints or fracture the transverse process. A percutaneous handle would help stabilize and avoid such a need.
Another circumstance where retractor stability is an issue is when using tubular retractors inserted as a series of increasing size tubes. These often require table fixation to stabilize as direction of entry may be displace by tissue forces. Table mounting is often required to stabilize. A percutaneous handle would help stabilize and avoid such a need.
A further circumstance where retractor stability is an issue is when using multi bladed retractors that are inserted as part of an assembly and then inserted within the wound. Opening retractor may move retractor from desired position and often requires the addition of a table mounted arm. An alternate method of stabilizing will be to add percutaneous handle to a. Handle is stable in body wall but this stability can be further increased by addition of counterforce plate which may compress body wall against sides of retractor. Percutaneous handles may also be employed in other forms of surgery e.g. gynaecological or pelvic surgery where approach is via body cavity but application of retractor force would be helpful.
It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the invention broadly described herein without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An assembly for retracting soft tissue in a surgical incision, the assembly comprising;
- a supporting member having first and second ends;
- a retractor blade having a first distal end and a second proximal end retained at the first end of the support member;
- a retaining arm which co operates with the support member and receives and supports a clamping assembly;
- an adjusting assembly which engages the support member and allows the clamping assembly to advance and retract relative to the retractor blade.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the clamping assembly advances and retracts over a distance relative to the distal end of the retractor blade and depending upon the retraction force required.
3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the clamping assembly is adjustable relative to the retaining arm.
4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the clamping assembly includes a clamping member which is adjustable vertically relative to the retaining arm.
5. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the adjusting assembly includes a runner retained on the support member.
6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the runner receives and supports a first end of the retaining arm.
7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein the runner is adjustable incrementally along the length of the support member.
8. An assembly according to claim 7 wherein the runner includes a locking assembly which allows locking of the runner at a selected position along the support member.
9. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein the clamping member is capable of advancing and retracting relative to the retractor blade responsive to travel of the runner along the support arm.
10. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein the runner is incrementally adjustable along the length of the support member via a ratchet assembly.
11. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein the runner is incrementally adjustable along the length of the support member via spaced apart holes in the support member.
12. An assembly according to claim 11 wherein the retaining arm has first and second parts and is capable of telescopic length adjustment.
13. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein the length adjustment of the retaining arm is effected by relative movement between the first and second parts.
14. An assembly according to claim 13 wherein one part is selectively secured to the second part by a retaining pin which engages openings on each said first and second parts.
15. An assembly according to claim 14 wherein the clamping assembly is retained on one of said first and second parts of the retaining arm and is capable of transverse movement relative to the retaining arm.
16. An assembly according to claim 15 wherein a clamping member of the clamping assembly includes a pressure plate.
17. An assembly according to claim 16 wherein the retractor blade is integral with the support member.
18. An assembly according to claim 17 wherein the retaining arm engages the support member via a slot in the retaining arm.
19. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein the clamping assembly includes a boss which allows selective vertical adjustment of the clamping member along the retaining arm.
20. An assembly according to claim 19 wherein the boss is spring biased to a position which locks the clamping member against the retaining arm.
21. An assembly according to claim 20 wherein the boss includes a manually operable locking screw which locks the runner to the support member.
22. An assembly according to claim 21. wherein the boss includes a pin which selectively engages spaced apart recesses in said retaining arm.
23. An assembly according to claim 22 wherein the retractor blade is releasable from the first end of the support member.
24. An assembly according to claim 23 wherein the support member includes along at least one face an array of teeth which co operate with the ratchet assembly.
25. An assembly according to claim 24 wherein the location of the runner along the support member is incrementally adjustable by co operation between the teeth and ratchet assembly.
26. An assembly according to claim 25 wherein the retractor blade is curved in the direction of the clamping member.
27. An assembly according to claim 26 wherein the curvature of the retractor blade places the distal end of the retractor blade closer to the retaining arm than the second end of said blade.
28. An assembly according to claim 27 wherein the blade is elastically deformable.
29. An assembly according to claim 28 wherein the clamping member further comprises a bearing member which directly engages the body of a patient when the retraction assembly is in use thereby allowing the retractor to retain soft tissue.
30. An assembly according to claim 29 wherein a retraction force is increased or decreased by selective adjustment of the position of the runner.
31. An assembly according to claim 29 wherein a retraction force is increased or decreased by selective adjustment of the position of the clamping member.
32. An assembly according to claim 31 wherein the bearing member provides an opposing force against retraction of soft tissue to maintain the desired retraction force through the retractor blade.
33. An assembly according to claim 32 wherein the retraction assembly is adjustable to allow the clamping assembly to travel in the direction of the support member and in a direction parallel to the support member.
34. A method for retracting soft tissue in a surgical would during spinal surgery using an assembly comprising;
- a retractor blade having a first distal end and a second end which engages a support member;
- and an adjustable stop which engages a pressure plate which co operates with the retractor blade during refraction by applying pressure to the body of a patient, the method comprising the steps of;
- taking the retractor blade and attaching it to the support member;
- inserting the retractor blade into a surgical incision;
- adjusting a clamping assembly which co operates with a retaining member to exert a retraction force on the retractor blade;
- allowing a bearing member to engage a skin surface of a patient;
- manipulating the support member to induce retraction of the soft tissue against a bearing force applied by the bearing member opposite to the direction of retraction.
35. A retractor blade for use with a retracting assembly for retracting soft tissue in a surgical incision, the assembly comprising;
- a supporting member for supporting the retractor blade;
- an adjusting assembly which allows the assembly to advance and retract relative to induce retraction force in the retractor blade;
- the retractor blade having a proximal end which engages the retracting assembly and a distal end which is characterised in having a formation which is capable of engaging an anatomical structure to resist pull out of the blade.
36. A retractor blade according to claim 35 wherein the formation at the distal end is a sharp point.
37. A retractor blade according to claim 36 wherein the formation is disposed in a plane at an angle to a plane at the distal end of the blade.
38. A retractor blade according to claim 37 wherein the formation points in the general direction of a force opposing retraction.
Type: Application
Filed: May 23, 2013
Publication Date: Feb 6, 2014
Applicant: Retrospine Pty Ltd (Kingswood)
Inventors: Kevin SEEX (Kingswood), Donald FRY (Kingswood)
Application Number: 13/901,070
International Classification: A61B 17/02 (20060101); A61B 17/08 (20060101);