US2238563A - Embalming instrument - Google Patents

Description

April 1941- w. H. JACQUES 2,238,563

EMBALMING INSTRUMENT Filed Jan. 24, 1939 INVENTOR. WM. H. JACQUES BY ZYQQM W ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 15, 1941 William H. Jacques, Chicago, 111., assignor to Anna L Jacques, Chicago,.lll.

Application January 24, 1939;,Seri'al No 252,645

V g 2 Claims. This invention relates to an improved embalming instrument, and has special reference to aretractor device used by undertakers, embalmers, and like-persons in the art of embalming in the preparations of bodies for preservation and burial.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide ani-nstrument, as stated above; which is particularly appropriate for embalmers" use and whereby their work may be more conveniently and speedily accomplished; further, to provide an instrument the use of which is several fold; thefirst being for holding open an incision made by the embalmer to separate the tissues and expose the arteries of the body to be operated upon, so that the preservatory substance may be readily injected thereinto, itconsists of a pair of diverging arms, normally stressed apart, secured together and provided with incision engaging means at the outer end thereof for engaging thesides of' the incision tobe retracted without obstructing the field of operation; further, to provide means whereby my instrument may also be employed to secure itself firmly down against the surface of .the body adjacent said' incision and imbed end portions thereof-I within said incision preventing; accidental removalthereof; further; to provide an instrument which willfunction and remain firmly in place upon said body indefinitely or until removed, without the aid of the embalmer many other person; further, .to provide aninstrument which will simplify and expedite the art-of embalming; and finally to produce'an instrument for the above purposes which is simple, practical; easy to use, novel in construction, economical to manufacture and automatic and dependable in its application.

Other objects and advantage of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims. v

With the above objects in view my'invention resides and consists in the novel construction and combination of parts shown in the accompanyin-g sheet of drawings, forming, apart of this specification, upon. which similar characters of reference denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several figures, and of which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of my improved embalming instrument as it would appear in use, the same being shown secured to the edges of an incision cut in the neck of a person being embalmed, said instrument spreading said incision and exposing the artery in said neck to be operated upon. I

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the instrument shown in Figure 1 and illustrates its application in use for holding open an incision cut in the thigh of a person being embalmed and exposing an artery or veintherein.

Figure 3' shows a perspective view of my improved instrument and illustrates how the embalmer grasps said instrument in one hand to compress the arms thereof before the application of same to an incision.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the free end-portions of the arms of my improved instrument imbedded within an incision, said portion spreading the tissues and illustrating how said portions engage the sides of the incision to be retracted without obstructing the field of operation.

Figure 5 shows a side or edge View of one arm of my improved instrument and a fragmentary portion of the spring coil at the inner end thereof.

Figure 6 shows a bottom view of my improved instrument with the armsin the normal diverged position; dotted lines showing position of said armswhen compressed.

Figure '7 shows a perspective view of the instrument shown in Figure 6, said view showing the sharpened needles secured in the outer free end portions of said instrument as seen from a plane below that of said arms.

My instrument, as will be seen in the bottom plan view in Figure 6, is substantially U shaped or horseshoe shaped, consisting of a pair of metallic bowed arms [0 and H and preferably constructed of wire of round cross-section, said arms normally tending to spring apart and away from each other at thefree ends. The arms Ill and H are formed from a single piece of wire the intermediate portion of which is formed into a coilii of substantially circular outline, said coil positioned between and in substantially the same plane'as arms l0 and H, thus forming a smooth outer unobstructed converging angle 14 between the-arms, thus fitting snugly in the hand of the emba lmerduring application of the same to the body as shown in Figure 3.

The outer free ends l5 and N5 of said arms have positioned or formed thereon suitably shaped plates 11 and 18, said plates to be secured thereon by soldering, welding or by any known desired method. The outer end portions l9 and 20 of said plates are formed downwardly, as is clearly shown in Figures 5 and '7, to pro-l vide incision engaging means and to also form support members for tissue piercing members 2I and 22 sharpened at their outer ends as needle points. The plates I! and I8 also form suitable thumb and finger grips as shown in Figure 3, as Well as surface pressure plates as shown in Figure 2.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the foregoing and following description. After the incision 25 has been made in the neck 26, or incision 21 in the leg 23, the embalming instrument or retractor is grasped in either hand by the embalmer, the normally diverging arms II] and I I are then pressed together, the end portions I9 and pressed downwardly into said incision between the opposite edges thereof so that the points 2I and 22 will pierce the tissues therein and adjacent thereto. Upon releasing the pressure on the spring type arms, the opposite edges of the incision and the tissues engaged therein will spread and the artery or vein to be operated upon is exposed for the embalmer to operate thereon.

In the use of the instrument just described, the spread or degree to which the incision and tissues will be spread is substantially controlled by the length of the incision, the expansive action of the coil I2, and by the size of the retractor; various size retractors can be obtained for various size incisions or operations, however one size is usually sufficient for the average embalming operation. Owing to the shape and curvature of this novel retractor, the arms I and II as well as the coil I4 will lie snugly against the neck or body in such a manner that the embalmer can have free access to the vein or artery exposed, said retractor being secured to the body by said piercing members 2I and 22 without obstructing the field of operation and thus allowing the embalmer to use both his hands for performing the operation, as neither hand is needed to hold said retractor in place, said piercing members 2| and 22 preventing dislodgment or slipping of members I9 and 20 out of the incision.

Upon successful completion of the operation, the arms I0 and I I are again moved towards each other so that the points 2| and 22 will slip out of the flesh tissues, allowing members I9 and 20 to slip out of the incision and thus allowing said incision to close or be closed and. sealed.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction and manner of use of my improved retractor will be fully understood. The instrument may also be very easily and quickly manipulated and properly inserted in position. As the device comprises only few primary elements it will further be seen that the instrument can be manufactured at very small cost and is also extremely durable and efi'icient in practical use.

While in the drawing and in the above description I have shown and described but one form of retractor, this being the preferred construction and arrangement of the various parts, it will be understood that the device is susceptible of considerable modification without departing from the essential feature or sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention. 1 The invention therefore,

20 are inserted and is to be limited merely by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is:

1. An embalming retractor comprising two arms normally resiliently diverging with end portions bowed inwardly and downwardly whereby the retractor is formedon an are, a resilient loop disposed intermediate said arms from which the arms diverge, a surface plate having a uniplaner section secured at the outer extremity of each arm and arranged substantially in the same plane, the outer end portions of the uniplaner section of said plates being directed inwardly toward each' other; an incision engaging member projecting from said outer portion, said member being disposed downwardly with respect to the uniplaner section and from the same side of the arms, aneedle shaped tissue engaging prong carried by the under surface of said member; said prong disposed downwardly and outwardly with respect to its supporting surface forming an angle with the uniplaner surface plate whereby when the retractor prongs are positioned within, the incision in the body of a dead personbeing embalmed, the arms and plates of said retractor will be supported and caused to liesnugly against the surface of the body adjacent said incision, thereby leaving said incision unobstructed and with said prongs piercing the flesh and imbedding themselves within the incision tending to draw said surface plates into tighter contact with said body and preventing accidental dislodgment of said retractor. 2. A unitary embalming retractor structure comprising two arms normally resiliently diverging with end portionsbowed inwardly and downwardly whereby the retractor is formed on an are, a resilient loop disposed intermediate said arms from which the arms diverge, a surface plate having a uniplaner section permanently fixed at the outer extremity of each arm and arranged substantially in the same plane, the outer end portions of the uniplaner section of said plates being directed inwardly toward each other; an incision engaging member projecting from said outer portion, said member being disposed downwardly with respect to the uniplaner section and from the same side of the arms, a single needle shaped tissue piercing prong permanently carried by the under surface of said member, said prong disposed at an angle downwardly and outwardly with respect to its supporting surface forming an angle with the uniplaner surface whereby when the retractor prongs are positioned within the incision in the body of a dead person being embalmed the arms and plates of said retractor will be supported and caused to lie snugly against the surface of the body adjacent said incision, thereby leaving said'incision unobstructed and with said prongs piercing the flesh and imbedding themselves within the incision tending to draw said surface plates into tighter contact with said body and preventing accidental dislodgment of said retractor. H. JACQUES.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,258,565. April 15, 191 1,

WILLIAM H. JACQUES It is hereby certified that the above numbered patent was erroneously issued to Anna J. Jacques, as assigneeof the entire interest therein, whereas said patent should have been is sued to the inventor, William H.

Jacques, and Anna J. Jacques as assignee bfone-half interest only in" said invention, as shown by the record of assigrntents in this office; and

that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed and sealed this 5rd day of June, A. -43. 19in.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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