Abstract: The illuminated tongue depressor includes a handle having a battery-operated light source and a depressor blade selectively coupled with or uncoupled from the handle for discard and replacement. The blade includes a length extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end and laterally between opposite sides, and includes upper and lower surfaces, a peripheral edge between the upper and lower surfaces defining a relatively thin blade thickness, a root adjacent the proximal end of the blade, a tip at the distal end of the blade, and a light conducting material between the upper and lower surfaces and extending along the blade from the root to at least a portion of the peripheral edge at the tip of the blade.

Abstract: An instrument for vaginal inspection or exploration consists of separate speculum and depressor components, each molded from plastic material. The handles of the components are adapted to be releasably interfitted in a dovetail manner to form a unitary handle, with the handles being longitudinally slidable relative to each other to adjust the separation between the speculum and depressor blades. The dovetail arrangement includes toothed locking flanges on the depressor handle which releasably cooperate with teeth on the sides of the speculum handle. By depressing a transverse web portion or button, the flanges are flexed apart to allow longitudinal adjustment between the handles, using one hand only. The depressor handle includes an intermediate member connected to the depressor blade. This intermediate member is of an arcuate, laterally offset configuration so as to provide unobstructed access to the space between the blades in the longitudinal direction of the blades.

Abstract: An iris dilator includes a body formed of an expansile material being expandable from a dehydrated first size and shape to a hydrated second size and shape. When hydrated, the dilator has a shape complementary to an inside diameter of the iris and a size sufficient to dilate the iris. In addition, a mammalian iris may be dilated by inserting the at least partially dehydrated iris dilator described above into a position radially inwardly from the iris where, in the presence of bodily or surgical fluids, the dilator hydrates and expands to engage and dilate the iris. An apparatus for deforming the dilator to facilitate insertion in use includes top and bottom surfaces which engage top and bottom sides of the dilator, respectively, at least one depression member for forming a depressed area on an edge of the dilator and at least one retainer member for retaining a non-depressed area on the edge of the dilator.

Abstract: A retractor instrument for opening a surgical incision on a human limb having a first tissue holder for grasping an edge of the incision, a second tissue holder for grasping another edge of the incision, a band extending from the first tissue holder to the second tissue holder in a generally circular configuration around the limb away from the incision, and an adjustor connected to the band so as to vary a distance between the first and second tissue holders. The band includes a first band member connected to the first tissue holder and a second band member connected to the second tissue holder. The adjustor is a clamp which is suitable for engaging grooves formed in the first band member. The tissue holders are rake members having a plurality of prongs extending therefrom. The rake members are pivotally connected to the ends of the bands. The first band member and the second band member are arranged in overlapping configuration.

Abstract: A method of surgical repair using a surgical retractor device is provided for opening a shallow surgical hernia site, wherein opposite frame members are provided, each of the opposite pairs having either shallow pointed tip hooks or opposite rounded corner blades. A first plurality of pointed tip hooks is movable in an axial direction toward or away from an opposing, stationary set of pointed tip hooks to facilitate axial movement of said first plurality of pointed tip hooks toward and away from said opposing stationary plurality of pointed tip hooks, by means of the movement of said first, movable plurality of pointed tip hooks on a main bar about parallel strut bars. The positioning of the retractor element renders the connection of the retractor irrotational within the surgical site.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing a surgical instrument at a predetermined attitude and at a predetermined location about an operating table. The apparatus includes instrument gripping means pivotally mounted upon a flexible column, which in turn is pivotally mounted upon locking means configured to slide about an operating table positioning bar. Tensioning means are provided in operative communication with the instrument gripping means, the flexible column and the locking means. Upon actuation of the tensioning means, the instrument gripping means securely grasps a surgical instrument at a predetermined attitude relative the operating table, the flexible column rigidifies in a predetermined posture and the locking means become non-movable relative the positioning bar.

Abstract: A swivel ring surgical retractor in a generally circular form is disclosed. The retractor has a fixed portion which is attached to the operating table or other support and a portion which can swivel in relationship to the fixed portion. The swivel portion is attached to the fixed portion of the retractor with a threaded shaft which forces two sunburst clamping inserts into engagement to secure the swivel portion to the fixed portion. The swivel portion can be adjusted or removed from the fixed portion by unthreading the shaft to disengage the sunburst clamping inserts to adjust the position of the swivel portion or to remove the swivel portion from the fixed portion.

Abstract: A laparoscopic retractor device comprising an elongate rigid frame member insertable through a laparoscopic trocar sleeve into a patient's body, a rigid retractor member pivotably attached to a distal end of the frame member, and one or more components on the retractor member for enabling modification of an effective length or width of the retractor member. A variable length retractor member may have modular extension elements or a telescoping insert.

Abstract: A retractor for use in laparoscopic surgery comprises a substantially rigid tubular outer member and a retractor member at least partially inserted in the tubular member for slidable motion in an axial direction relative thereto. The retractor member is provided with a distal end portion having limited flexibility which enables a bending of the distal end portion upon application of a bending force greater than a predetermined threshold. In addition, the distal end portion has a spring bias tending to return the distal end portion to a linear configuration upon relaxation of bending force below the threshold. A camming surface is provided on the tubular member at the distal end thereof for bending the distal end portion during a distally directed longitudinal stroke of the retractor member relative to the tubular member, whereby at least a terminal part of the distal end portion extends at an angle with respect to the tubular member.

Abstract: A floor-borne fitness apparatus with variable stepping heights includes an upper stepping floorboard and substructural parts which can increase the height and/or the inclination of the floorboard. The apparatus has at least one attachment element which can cooperate with an exercise expander band. The floorboard cooperates with the substructural parts in such a way as to form a positively engaging support unit. Such construction prevents the unintended tilting of the apparatus.

Abstract: A retractor instrument for use in laparoscopic surgery, comprises an elongate frame or holder and a substantially rigid retractor member movably mounted to the frame. A first retainer component is mounted to frame for maintaining the retractor member in substantially parallel relation to the frame during an insertion of the retractor instrument through a patient's abdominal wall and partially into the patient's abdominal cavity in a laparoscopic procedure. A second retainer component is connected to the frame for maintaining the retractor member in an angled orientation with respect to the frame during utilization of the retractor instrument to displace an internal body organ of the patient in the laparoscopic procedure.

Abstract: A pupil expander has an elongated plastic resilient hollow ring which is C-shaped in cross section, and formed into a partial circle. The ends of the ring member have perforated tabs thereon, and are connected together by a strap. The pupil expander is compressed into an elongated shape. Forcep tips are inserted into the ends of the ring member to hold the ring member during insertion of the expander into the anterior chamber of the eye through an incision in the eye outside the location of the iris. An elongated tool can be inserted into the eye if required to facilitate the engagement of the ring member with the iris. The ring member is allowed to gradually expand and engage the inner periphery of the iris and to be received within an elongated outer peripheral opening in the ring member as the forcep tips are gradually withdrawn.

Abstract: A method for sheathing speculum arms, utilizing the combination comprising a holder sheet structure having spaced sections; first and second sheaths extending in substantially parallel relation between the sections, the sheaths respectively associated with the sections, the sheaths defining entrance openings for penetration by the respective arms whereby the arms are insertible into the sheaths, to carry the sheaths; and the holder sheet structure then being separable from the sheaths whereby the speculum arms carrying the sheaths are then usable for vaginal examination.

Abstract: The integral exercise device is made from a flexible plastic material and is designed to be rolled up into a compact unit when not in use. The exercise device includes a main body portion having apertures for receiving the user's feet or other body part, a connector portion that slides underneath a stationary object such as a door, and a shoulder portion that abuts one side of the door during use. The shoulder portion opposes the forces imposed by the user during exercising to maintain the user's feet in the desired position. The main body portion of the exerciser may be positioned by the user to any desired height. A fastener retains the exerciser in its rolled-up condition for easy transportation and storage.