RI-000031 A typical type of surgical tool used in thoracic and cardiovascular procedures is the Cooley retractor. They bear the name Denton A. Cooley in honour of the great American heart surgeon who made numerous innovations in cardiac surgery. In order to provide the best exposure and access to the heart and associated structures during surgical procedures, Cooley retractors were created. Typically, these retractors are long and curved, with a handle on one end and a blade or paddle on the other. The handle gives the surgeon or supporting staff a firm grip while the curved blade effectively retracts and exposes the operating region.