Surgical retractor and blood flow monitor

A surgical retractor instrument which incorporates therein a blood flow monitor. A surgical retractor system is disclosed for manipulation of living tissues and/or organs during diagnostic and/or surgical procedures, providing for the monitoring of the presence or absence of blood flow in the tissue adjacent thereto. The surgical retractor incorporates a surgical retractor blade, which can be of any conventional or desired design or physical shape, depending upon the intended use thereof. The pressure end of the retractor blade is designed with fiber optics for directing light (specifically IR) having predetermined spectral characteristics related to blood onto the adjacent tissues and/or organs. The retractor blade is also designed with receiving fiber optics for receiving light which is directed at and reflected from the tissues and/or organs. A signal processor is coupled to the light receiving optics for monitoring the signal received therefrom to direct the presence or absence of blood flow through the adjacent tissues and/or organs, thereby preventing and minimizing ischemic damage therein.