Patent attributes
An endoscopic retractor includes a tube having a proximal end and a distal end with a push rod extending therethrough. The proximal ends of the push rod is provided with a threaded portion. A rotatable handle is coupled to the proximal end of the tube and threadably engages the threaded portion of the push rod such that rotation of the handle causes a translation of the push rod. The distal end of the tube is provided with a clevis through which the distal end of the push rod extends. A multi-segment canopy is coupled to the clevis and the push rod via an articulate linkage. Translation of the push rod in the distal direction causes the canopy to be moved from a starting substantially cylindrical configuration with its axis nearly collinear with the axis of the tube to an opened quasi-planar configuration. Further translation of the push rod in the distal direction causes the quasi-planar canopy to be rotated in the clevis to an angle of approximately ninety degrees relative to the axis of the tube.
