Importance

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Abstract

An improved laparoscopic medical retractor for separating body parts during a surgical procedure to thereby create or maintain a surgical cavity. The retractor comprises an interior rod having a distal end and a proximal end and an exterior tube positioned to receive the central rod, the exterior tube having a distal end and a proximal end. A plurality of straps having their distal ends are coupled to the distal end of the interior rod and have their proximal ends coupled to the distal end of the exterior tube. The straps are flexible whereby movement of the distal end of the exterior tube distally toward the distal end of the interior rod will cause the straps to assume a generally spherical configuration, the total diameter of the retracted device being less than 1.5 centimeters. Coupling means secure the interior rod and exterior tube against relative axial movement with respect to each other so that a surgeon may move the expanded retractor to enlarge a surgical cavity in which it is located.

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First Claim