A method and apparatus for creating a surgical work space by lifting the abdominal wall and retracting abdominal organs during surgery utilizes a pair of lifting rods each hinged at their distal ends to opposite ends of an elongate cross-member. One of the lifting rods is slidable within a strap fastened...http://www.google.com.au/patents/US5501653?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5501653 - Abdominal wall lifting retractor with hinged cross-member
