| abstract |
A retractor for tissue comprising a deformable metal blade having a pair of opposite faces and a peripheral edge bounding and interconnecting the faces. A sheath comprising a flexible material which is non-adherent to brain tissue, such as silicon elastomer, includes a cover portion that covers at least part of the blade, having an exposed bearing face for bearing against soft tissue, such as brain tissue, and a flexible skirt portion extending from the said cover portion and projecting beyond the peripheral edge. The sheath may be reinforced by a mesh and have an irregular surface, if desired. |