Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a structure including a plurality of legs and a plurality of joints, each leg being connected to at least one second leg at a joint. The structure has a non-expanded state, and an expanded state in which the structure forms a three dimensional structure having an internal volume. The structure has first and second manipulator arms, each of the manipulator arms being connected to at least two joints of the structure. The manipulator arms may be manipulated by a hand of a user. The retractor also includes a connector that holds the first and second manipulator arms in a crossed position. The connector holds the first and second manipulator arms at a point of intersection. The connector allows a user to move the manipulator arms and cause an angle formed by the manipulator arms to change. Movement of the first and second manipulator arms causes the structure to move between the non-expanded state and the expanded state.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a structure including a plurality of legs and a plurality of joints, each leg being connected to at least one second leg at a joint. The structure has a non-expanded state, and an expanded state in which the structure forms a three dimensional structure having an internal volume. The structure has first and second manipulator arms, each of the manipulator arms being connected to at least two joints of the structure. The manipulator arms may be manipulated by a hand of a user. The retractor also includes a connector that holds the first and second manipulator arms in a crossed position. The connector holds the first and second manipulator arms at a point of intersection. The connector allows a user to move the manipulator arms and cause an angle formed by the manipulator arms to change. Movement of the first and second manipulator arms causes the structure to move between the non-expanded state and the expanded state.

Abstract: A nerve mapping system includes an energy based dissection device, a plurality of beacons, and a processing device. The plurality of beacons are disposed in a tissue of a patient. Each beacon is adapted to transmit one or more first electrical signals within the body and receive one or more second energy signals. The processing device is adapted to determine first locations associated with the plurality of beacons, a second location associated with the energy based dissection device, and a third location associated with a nerve within the tissue, based on the one or more second signals, generate a mapping of the first locations, second location, and third location, and cause the first locations, second location, and third location to be displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a structure including a plurality of legs and a plurality of joints, each leg being connected to at least one second leg at a joint. The structure has a non-expanded state, and an expanded state in which the structure forms a three dimensional structure having an internal volume. The structure has first and second manipulator arms, each of the manipulator arms being connected to at least two joints of the structure. The manipulator arms may be manipulated by a hand of a user. The retractor also includes a connector that holds the first and second manipulator arms in a crossed position. The connector holds the first and second manipulator arms at a point of intersection. The connector allows a user to move the manipulator arms and cause an angle formed by the manipulator arms to change. Movement of the first and second manipulator arms causes the structure to move between the non-expanded state and the expanded state.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a structure including a plurality of legs and a plurality of joints, each leg being connected to at least one second leg at a joint. The structure has a non-expanded state, and an expanded state in which the structure forms a three dimensional structure having an internal volume. The structure has first and second manipulator arms, each of the manipulator arms being connected to at least two joints of the structure. The manipulator arms may be manipulated by a hand of a user. The retractor also includes a connector that holds the first and second manipulator arms in a crossed position. The connector holds the first and second manipulator arms at a point of intersection. The connector allows a user to move the manipulator arms and cause an angle formed by the manipulator arms to change. Movement of the first and second manipulator arms causes the structure to move between the non-expanded state and the expanded state.

Abstract: A nerve mapping system includes an energy based dissection device, a plurality of beacons, and a processing device. The plurality of beacons are disposed in a tissue of a patient. Each beacon is adapted to transmit one or more first electrical signals within the body and receive one or more second energy signals. The processing device is adapted to determine first locations associated with the plurality of beacons, a second location associated with the energy based dissection device, and a third location associated with a nerve within the tissue, based on the one or more second signals, generate a mapping of the first locations, second location, and third location, and cause the first locations, second location, and third location to be displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a structure including a plurality of legs and a plurality of joints, each leg being connected to at least one second leg at a joint. The structure has a non-expanded state, and an expanded state in which the structure forms a three dimensional structure having an internal volume. The structure has first and second manipulator arms, each of the manipulator arms being connected to at least two joints of the structure. The manipulator arms may be manipulated by a hand of a user. The retractor also includes a connector that holds the first and second manipulator arms in a crossed position. The connector holds the first and second manipulator arms at a point of intersection. The connector allows a user to move the manipulator arms and cause an angle formed by the manipulator arms to change. Movement of the first and second manipulator arms causes the structure to move between the non-expanded state and the expanded state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical retractor that provides improved access to a surgical space, devised in the shape of a partial polyhedron, and also provides improved visualization of the surgical space with light emitting elements placed within the polyhedron structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an energy based dissection device that automatically provides a nerve protection function. Specifically, the present invention operatively connects nerve monitoring technology and energy based dissection technology to provide a device that provides energy based dissection functionality that cannot operate, or operates differently, upon receipt of real time information from the nerve monitoring functionality that nerve damage may be imminent in the absence of such safety shutdown. The present invention also creates a real-time graphical display of the nerve, including size and location relative to the energy based dissection device to enable the operator to safely and accurately avoid damaging the nerve. Accordingly, the present invention provides a surgical device that removes human error and reaction time issues which prevent unintended dissection and concomitant nerve damage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical retractor that provides improved access to a surgical space, devised in the shape of a partial polyhedron, and also provides improved visualization of the surgical space with light emitting elements placed within the polyhedron structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an energy based dissection device that automatically provides a nerve protection function. Specifically, the present invention operatively connects nerve monitoring technology and energy based dissection technology to provide a device that provides energy based dissection functionality that cannot operate, or operates differently, upon receipt of real time information from the nerve monitoring functionality that nerve damage may be imminent in the absence of such safety shutdown. The present invention also creates a real-time graphical display of the nerve, including size and location relative to the energy based dissection device to enable the operator to safely and accurately avoid damaging the nerve. Accordingly, the present invention provides a surgical device that removes human error and reaction time issues which prevent unintended dissection and concomitant nerve damage.

Abstract: Method and device for detecting life-threatening pneumothorax caused by air in the thoracic or chest cavity by passive auditory detection using an array of transducers placed on the patient's chest and operatively connected to a data processing unit. The unit is programmed to filter out sounds not in the harmonic of the bubbling air associated with a pneumothorax. In addition to passive auditory detection ultrasound techniques and radio active gas detection, are shown to be used.