US Patent 7276024 Surgical retractor

A retractor for use in surgery, such as chest surgery, comprises two arms (4,6) each adapted to carry a blade (14,16) engageable with one side of an incision, the two arms (4,6) being connected by a pivot (8) at one end portion such that the arms (4,6) can be pivoted between a closed position and an adjustable open position in which the arms define a substantially V-shaped configuration in which the blades (14,16) maintain the sides of the incision in inclined relation. The arms are moved to the open position by means of a curved rack (20) carried by one of the arms (6) and a pinion (28) carried by the other arm (4), the pinion (28) being releasably lockable to retain the arms in the open position by a ratchet and pawl mechanism.