ZYGOMATIC BONE SURGICAL RETRACTOR

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a surgical retractor to be used in the scope of Dental Medicine, more particularly in the Speciality of Oral Surgery, in zygomatic implant placement surgeries.

Background of the Invention

In the scope of Dental Medicine in the Speciality of Oral Surgery, surgical metal retractors are used on a daily basis, enabling the soft tissues and other oral structures to be retracted so as to provide access to the surgical area. In the field of Oral Implantology, Oral Surgery area, and specifically in zygomatic implant placement interventions, there is a need to retract flaps and soft tissues so as to enable direct access to the patient's zygomatic bone in order to proceed with the bone preparation and placement of the zygomatic implants in this region.

Application KR20130136842 relates to a dental instrument easily capable of expanding an incision site in the gum of a patient. One of the drawbacks of this retractor is the fact that its active zone is too small to retract or separate in the region of the zygomatic bone.

A frequently used retractor is the Zygoma ^® retractor, which is used for retracting the soft facial tissues to expose the zygomatic bone during surgical procedures. It has an L-shaped blade with a concave curve that adapts to the zygomatic arch. Additionally, the U-shaped edge is laterally asymmetric to retract the tissues in a manner that is comfortable for the patient. As a result, the profiles of the left side and of the right side guarantee ideal handling on each side of the patient's face.Additionally, it presents an ergonomically designed handle and includes a ring and a tear-shaped orifice to insert the fingers and minimise the risk of slipping. However, one of the drawbacks of this retractor is the weight and size thereof. Due to these features, it requires more than one hand, outside the mouth, to hold it, or if it is the physician holding it, it will become very uncomfortable and heavy within a few minutes.

Another retractor also used is the Malo ^® retractor. It is used to hold and reflect mucoperiosteal flaps and cheeks away from the surgical area. The edge of the retractor provides a sharp edge. The drawbacks of this retractor are once again the weight and size thereof and requiring more than one hand for holding.

Another retractor that is used is the Mandible Ramus® retractor. It is a device that maxillofacial surgeons use to clasp, retract and mobilise the tissues that surround the ramus of the jaw and the ramus itself. This retractor has a notched edge to adjust the ramus of the jaw easily, has straight and downward-curved patterns in order to meet requirements, an ergonomic finger ring guaranteeing ideal handling. However, one of the drawbacks of this retractor is the volume and weight thereof. Additionally, its notched edge is shaped contrary to the curvature of the zygomatic bone and cannot be used for zygomatic implant placement. Yet another known retractor is the Minnesota ^® retractor, which is used to keep mucoperiosteal flaps, cheeks, lips and tongue away from the surgical area. One of the drawbacks of this retractor is not having an appropriately curved shape at one of the ends that is compatible with the anatomy of the zygomatic bone.

It is known that the solutions currently available on the market, regardless of the brand, model or features to retract flaps and soft tissues so as to enable direct access to the zygomatic bone and subsequent placement of the zygomatic implants in this region are quite bulky, heavy and require the presence of additional operators, besides the physician performing the surgical intervention, to hold them outside the mouth during surgeries.

All the other retractors used in zygomatic implant placement surgeries on the market are much bulkier, heavier and longer. The vast majority have an end that fastens on the zygomatic bone in a rectangular shape (]). These retractors with rectangular-shaped end have a major drawback that is the possibility of collision of the drill with said retractors, preventing correct and safe handling of the instruments during surgery.

In light of the foregoing, there is a need to develop a surgical retractor that enables direct access to the zygomatic bone for zygomatic implant placement, with reduced size, that is light, compact and easy to handle, and that enables the physician to perform surgeries without requiring assistance from additional operators.

The objective of the present invention is to develop a surgical retractor that overcomes the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the state of the art.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to a surgical retractor comprising at a first end, a sigma å-shaped zygoma retractor (1), in which said zygoma retractor (1) extends across an intermediate portion (3) up to a second end containing a flap retractor (4), wherein the zygoma retractor (1) forms a tilt angle with said intermediate portion (3) which in turn extends curvedly up to the flap retractor (4).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the surgical retractor further includes an ergonomic cushion (2) arranged on top of the intermediate portion (3) of the surgical retractor (7) for supporting the user's hand. Alternatively, the ergonomic cushion (2) is incorporated into the intermediate portion (3) of the surgical retractor (7).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the surgical retractor (7) is coated so as to prevent the intensity of light from the office chair lamp from obscuring and disturbing the physician's view during the surgical procedure.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the surgical retractor (7) is made of stainless steel.

Brief Description of the Figures

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of the preferred and non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein: FIG. 1 is a side view of the surgical retractor (7) of the present invention, wherein among others, the zygoma retractor (1) with the å-shaped end and ergonomic cushion (2) for supporting the user's hand are shown. The intermediate portion (3) which extends curvedly up to the flap retractor (4) is also shown.

FIG. 2 is a lower view of the surgical retractor (7) of the present invention, wherein the å-shaped zygoma retractor (1) having a central groove (5) and on each side of said central groove (5) a sharp edge (6) are shown.

FIG. 3 is a lower side view of an embodiment of the surgical retractor (7) of the present invention, with the å- shaped zygoma retractor (1) and an ergonomic cushion (2) for supporting the user's hand. The zygoma retractor (1) has a central groove (5) and on each side of said central groove (5) a sharp edge (6).

FIG. 4 is an upper view of an embodiment of the surgical retractor (7) of the present invention, with the å-shaped zygoma retractor (1) and the ergonomic cushion (2) for supporting the user's hand.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail of the å-shaped zygoma retractor (1) showing the central groove (5) and on each side of said central groove (5) the sharp edge (6).

FIG. 6 shows the surgical retractor (7) of the present invention in use inside a patient's mouth with the flap retractor (4) in the outer zone of the patient's mouth.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the surgical retractor (7) of the present invention, wherein the zygoma retractor (1) with the å-shaped end and with the intermediate portion (3) without an ergonomic cushion are shown.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The retractor of the present invention relates to a zygomatic bone surgical retractor which is ergonomic, light, easy to hold and handle during surgeries to place Zygomatic Implants, whereby solving the problems of the prior art.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a surgical retractor as an auxiliary instrument in zygomatic implant placement surgeries to solve the problems existing in the prior art, such that the physician places a zygomatic implant in a safe and precise manner and with the least possible trauma for the patient.

The present invention relates to a zygomatic bone surgical retractor with an elongated and undulated body comprising:

- at a first end, the S-shaped zygoma retractor (1) having a central groove (5) and, on each side of said central groove (5), a sharp edge (6). The zygoma retractor (1) extends across an intermediate portion (3) up to a second flat end, the flap retractor (4); the zygoma retractor (1) is tilted with said intermediate portion (3), forming a tilt angle of 30-60°;

- the intermediate portion (3) which in turn extends curvedly up to the flap retractor (4).

The surgical retractor (7) for zygomatic implants has the shape of an elongated and undulated body so as to enable the physician to grip it in a more ergonomic way, enabling them to perform the surgical procedure with greater comfort and precision of movement.

The zygoma retractor (1) is Sigma å-shaped in order to prevent the collision of this end with the drill during bone preparation of the implant site and accordingly facilitate perfect adaptation and fastening of the surgical retractor to the patient's zygomatic bone.

This zygoma retractor (1) has a tilt angle of 30 - 60° relative to the intermediate portion (3) so as to enable a perfect retraction between the soft tissues and flap and the zygomatic bone and thereby enable direct access to the surgical area during surgery, significantly improving access and visibility of the operating field. Therefore, the zygoma retractor (1) makes zygomatic implant placement easier and more predictable. Optionally, the tilt angle can be 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60° or other values included in the range. Preferably, the tilt angle is about 45°.

The intermediate portion (3) extends curvedly up to the flap retractor (4) for easier and more ergonomic placement of this end inside the oral cavity and to retract the flap, cheek, lip or tongue.

The flap retractor (4) is semilunar-shaped at the end to enable use as flap, cheek, lip or tongue retractor and flap separator as noted in Fig. 3. This shape provides an ideal surface area for retracting the oral tissues without damaging them and at the same time for separating the flap on the zygomatic bone.

The surgical retractor (7), object of the present invention, is a surgical retractor produced in stainless steel to be autoclavable and consequently reused whenever required.

The surgical retractor, object of the present invention, has substantially smaller dimensions than the known retractors, it is light, ergonomic and above all efficient thanks to the Sigma å-shaped zygoma retractor (1).

The surgical retractor of the present invention may have a coating with a material that improves the visual acuity of the physician using the instrument at the site of the surgery, with reduced light reflection provided by the black matt coating, for example, Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC). This coating prevents the intensity of light from the office chair lamp from obscuring and disturbing the physician's view during the surgical procedure. Any type of coating suitable for use on these instruments can also be used.

FIG. 5 shows the Sigma-shaped zygoma retractor (1) in detail. This is divided into two parts: a V-shaped central groove (5) and on each side of said central groove (5), a sharp edge (6), which corresponds to the two å-shaped apexes. The V-shaped central groove (5) serves to prevent any collision between the drill and the retractor during the bone preparation process of the implant site. The two sharp ends (6), corresponding to the two apexes of the å shape, serve to support and stabilise the surgical retractor on the zygomatic bone.

In operation, after the physician makes the incision and initially separates the flap, he uses the surgical retractor (7) with the second end called flap retractor (4) to continue to separate the same more easily and to retract the soft tissues as far as the zygomatic bone. Once the soft tissues have been retracted and separated up to the zygomatic bone, the physician turns the surgical retractor (7) such that the first end, the zygoma retractor (1), is positioned inside the patient's mouth at the level of the zygomatic bone, next to the zygomatic bone. The zygoma retractor (1) will exert upward pressure toward the curvature of the bone such that when the sharp ends (6) slide on the curvature of the zygomatic bone, they stabilise thereon and give stability and support to the surgical retractor (7) to stay fastened on the zygomatic bone. With an upward movement in relation to the zygomatic bone, the intermediate portion (3) of the surgical retractor (7) will retract the soft tissues and terminate the separation of the flap giving the operator a perfect vision of the surgical area, as can be noted in FIG. 6. At this point, the physician holds the surgical retractor (7) with one hand embracing the ergonomic cushion (2) with the palm of the hands and the 4 fingers, the thumb holding at the front portion of the surgical retractor (7), next to the flap retractor (4) as can be seen in Fig. 6, whereas the other hand remains free to prepare the implant site and place the zygomatic implant. The physician keeps this position of the hand and of the surgical retractor (7) until he finishes placing the implant.

The present invention has several advantages, namely:

- It is a light retractor, making it is less tiring to hold at the end of several minutes of intervention and also makes it possible to dispense with the additional assistance from operators holding it during surgeries;

- It is an ergonomic retractor, that is, it is adapted to the features and needs of the user, being very comfortable to use and handle;

- It is a more economical retractor, due to the reduced size and weight thereof; - It enables the visibility of the surgical field to be enhanced and increased during surgical procedures;

- It enables greater safety during surgical procedures;

It enables greater precision during surgical procedures;

- It enables greater comfort for the physician during surgical procedures.

The surgical retractor (7) may also have an ergonomic cushion (2) arranged on top of, or incorporated into the intermediate portion (3) of the surgical retractor (7), for supporting the operator's hand, so as to facilitate and enable usage thereof for a longer time, in a comfortable and safe way. The palm of the operator's hand embraces the ergonomic cushion (2) the thumb being in contact with the lower portion of the surgical retractor (7), that is, below said ergonomic cushion (2) while the remaining hand fingers keep in contact with the side and upper portions of the surgical retractor (7).

The ergonomic cushion (2) is made of the same material as the surgical retractor (7), stainless steel, suitable for supporting the operator's hand.

This surgical retractor (7) is multipurpose as it can be used either as a retractor for zygomatic implants by using the Sigma å-shaped zygoma retractor (1), or as flap and soft tissues separator next to the zygomatic bone or as lip, flap, cheek or tongue retractor by using the flap retractor (4).

When used as an auxiliary instrument in zygomatic implants placement, this surgical retractor (7) is an instrument which, due to the sensitive and delicate zone in which it is used, must be handled by a specialised operator to avoid accidents and injuries to the patient owing to lack of knowledge or experience.