US Patent 7922657 Surgical retractors and method of operation

A first surgical retractor (302) according to the invention includes a handle (308) that defines an axis (320) and has first and second ends. A retractor blade (306) is secured to the second end of the handle. The blade is of a size and shape to engage the mitral valve of a heart so as to be able to retract the mitral valve and adjacent tissues. A second retractor (304) according to the invention has a relatively narrow, elongate blade (352) that can extend deep into the heart to engage the heart in the region of the atrial appendage so as to be able to retract the atrium and expose the pulmonary veins. The retractors are especially adapted to perform an atrial fibrillation surgical procedure.