Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Field of the imrenbion :
This invention relates generaAy to game hunting equipment but more parbcuiarly
to a
tooi that spreads open and maintains an open configuration to the rib cage of
a dead
game.
Background of the imrentfon :
Tools designed to open the rib cage of humans for the purpose of surgery have
been
known for years, far example, US patent 2,642,862 shows an early example of a
surgiaal retractor which Is good for holding the rib cVe open but requires the
strength
of the surgeon to open it in the first place.
US patent 3,196,865 requires a pair of such devices to provide retracting on
each
sides, each element containing a plurattity of small components that favor
proliferation
of germs and bacterfa.
US patent 4,337,763 is provided with means #or iliuminating the interior the
body
cavity.
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US patent 4,627,421 shows a retractor with pivoting arms which reduces the
amount
of pressure exerted on the small ribs of the upper part of the rib cage when
the rib
cage is retracted for open heart surgery. A cursor moves along a cross-bar
such that
as the cursor is moved along the cross-bar, the opening will be retracted In a
triangular shape.
US patent 4,726,356 shows a cardiovascular retractor which is adapted to be
mounted on a thoracic retractor. The cardiovascular retractor includes a clamp
support which is mounted along an axis of a thoracic retractor and a retractor
blade
clamp adjustably secured to a rod of the clamp support. The clamp has a blade
grip
which grasps a retractor blade.
US patent 5,067,477 shows a low wear bearing system for a surgical retractor
including usuaiiy four bearings recessed in the retractor housing, each
bearing having
a generally rectangular projection extending into a corresponding slot in the
rack of
the rack and pinion type retractor.
US patent 5,088,472 shows a sternat retractor comprising a pair of arms with
sternum
engaging blades thereon and a curved cross bar on which said arms are disposed
such that in use the retractor can open the bottom of the sternum more than
the top
of the sternum to minimize damage and injury to the upper ribs and numbness
which
sometimes results in the hands of open chest surgery patients.
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US patent 5,897,490 shows an apparatus for pivoting a surgical retractor
having two
arms. The apparatus has a bridge for engaging at least one arm of the surgical
retractor. The bridge has a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis
extending therebetween. An arm extender comprising a bridge coupling and a
blade
is attached to the bridge and engages with the tissue of the surgical patient.
The
apparatus also has a iifting assembly comprising an elevator. The lifting
assembly is
for applying an upward force to the proximal end of the bridge.
US patent 5,908,382 shows an intermammary harvesting retractor comprised of a
retractor frame having a fixed or stationary arm on one end of a crossbar and
a
movable arm mounted on the crossbar by a crank mechanism. The crank mechanism
allows the movable arm to be adjusted toward or away from the stationary arm.
A
support tower is mounted on the free end of the retractor crossbar to allow
the angle
of the retractor to be adjusted after placement in an incision. Adjustable
lifter blades
are provided on the movable arm to also adjust the lift angle of the upper
ribcage.
US patent 6,099,468 shows a retractor for use in partial sternotomy and
includes a
toothed crossbar to which a pair of small, parallel grips are attached. The
first grip is
attached to an arm which is fixed to one end of the crossbar. The second grip
is
attached to an arm which is movably attached to the crossbar by a pinion,
thereby
permitting the second grip to be moved along the crossbar toward or away from
the
first grip. A first rod is connected to the fixed arm by means of a bracket,
while a
second rod is connected to the movable arm by means of a similar bracket.
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US patent 6,331,158 shows a methods and apparatus for accessing and
stabilizing
the heart, it allows various instruments or devices to be maneuvered and
secured in
place, and provide stabilization of the heart.
These tools are generally quite expensive and are well beyond the means of the
average game hunter. Moreover, the needs of the game hunter are quite
different
than the needs of the surgeon, so substantially different methods for opening
a rib
cage can be used for the needs of game hunters. There is therefore a need for
an
inexpensive, safe, and practical tool for opening game rib cages.
SUMMARY OF THE IN\/ N~ . TiON
In view of the foregoing, there does not appear to be a device responding to
the
needs of game hunters. Therefore, the present Invention, which will be
described
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages addressed
to the
needs of game hunters and which are:
To provide an inexpensive rib cage retractor.
To provide for a simple to use rib cage retractor.
To attain these ends, the present invention uses a bar clamp/spreader as is
known in
the art, such a tool has an end piece which is removable and that, when placed
on
the opposite end of the bar, acts as a spreader. Since the typical bar clamp
is
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generally aimed at carpentry projects, it has been found necessary to modify
the
pads of the clamping means with more appropriate pads. The modified pads
generally comprise a fork engageable into the split stemum of a cut ribcage.
Optionatty, a light source to light the interior of the rib cage, as is found
in some of the
prior art, can be Incorporated in the ratcheting handle.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of
the
invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be
better
understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be
better
appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be
described
hereinafter and which wifi form the subject matter of the claims appended
hereto.
In this respect, before exptaining at least one embodiment of the invention in
detail, it
is to be understood that the invention is not limited In Its application to
the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the
following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it
is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the
purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon
which this
disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of
other
structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the
present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as
including such
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equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the
present invention.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various
features of
novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity
in the
claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of
the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by
its uses,
reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in
which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHEPREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Fig. I Perspective view of the rib cage retractor.
Fig. 2 Side view of a fork.
Fig. 3 Front view of a fork.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMEN_T
A rib cage retractor (10) has two retracting means (11, 11') set along a rod
(14). A
ratchet handle (16) slidingly engaging the rod (14) has one retracting means
(11)
extending integrally therefrom and has a trigger (18) which acts as separating
means
for separating each retracting means (11, 11'). The ratchet handle (16) slides
along
the rod (14) when actuated by the trigger (18) and thus Incrementally
separates the
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retracting means (11, 11'). A release tab (20) allows for free motion of the
ratchet
handle (16) along the rod (14).
The retracting means (11, 11') are terminated by pads known as forks (12, 12')
which
can be, as in the illustrated examples, part of the retracting means (11, 11')
or they
can be separate components substituted to existing pads found on currently
available
bar clamps. The forks (12, 12') are inserted into the split sternum (20) of a
cut rib
cage (22) and the rib cage retractor (10) is engaged in such a way that the
ratchet
handle (16) is on the outside of the rib cage (22). Actuating the trigger (18)
moves
one fork (12) along the rod (14) farther apart from the other fork (12') and
thus
spreads open the rib cage (22). The forks (12, 12') have preferably two prongs
(13,
13') with one prong (13) being on the exterior side of the rib cage (22),
pushing flesh
(21), while the other prong (93') is on the interior side of the rib cage
(22). Preferably
the prongs (13, 13') are set between % inch to 3 inches apart, center to
center. Each
prong (13, 13') is itself made out of 4 corner points (15) used for pricking
the flesh. In
the illustrated example of Figs. 2-3, the number of points (15) is four but it
should be
understood that there could be at least one point (15), two, three, or more
than four
such points (15) all within the scope of this invention. Each point (15) is
between %
inch long to 2 inch long. Each point (15) is separated by the next one by a
generally u U shaped space. The range in dimension Is to accomodate the size
of
various game.
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Optionally, a light source (24) with a switch (26) can be Integrated into the
ratchet
handle (16) to provide illumination towards the interior of an animal (not
shown). A
battery access panel (17) is made into the handle (16).
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present
invention, the same should be apparent from the above description.
Accordingly, no
further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be
provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be reaiized that the
optimum
dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include
variations In size,
materials, shape, form, function and manner of-operation, assembly and use,
are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent
relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the
specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles
of the
invention. Further, since numerous modiflcations and changes will readiiy
occur to
those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the
exact construction
and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications
and
equivalents may be resorted to, faiiing within the scope of the invention.
