Abstract: A speculum includes a handle; a lower leaf extending forward and distally from the handle; at least one upper leaf supported on the handle; a lever pivotally coupled to the handle; and a pin extending from the lever and slidably coupled to the at least one upper leaf. Movement of the lever relative to the handle causes the lever to slide the pin and pivotally move the at least one upper leaf relative to the lower leaf from a collapsed position to an open position.

Abstract: A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision).

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed to reduce tissue trauma when a surgeon performs surgery by thoracoscopy. Methods and devices are disclosed for protecting tissues adjacent to an intercostal incision from trauma caused by impingement of instruments into an intercostal incision. In one part, these methods and devices include devices that have controls that stick up out of the incision, permitting adjustment by the surgeon. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for smaller devices that reside entirely under this skin and require no adjustment by the surgeon.

Abstract: A system for estimating a location of an occluded skeleton, a method for estimating a location of an occluded skeleton and a method for reconstructing an occluded skeleton are provided. The method for estimating a location of an occluded skeleton comprises the following steps: Firstly, a trace of a reference central point of a body is estimated according to a plurality of continuously moving images. Next, a human movement state is estimated according to the trace and a motion information of the continuously moving images free of skeleton occlusion. Then, a possible range of the occluded skeleton for maintaining human balance is calculated according to the human movement state. Afterwards, a current motion level of the occluded skeleton is predicted according to a historic motion information of the occluded skeleton. Lastly, the location of the occluded skeleton is estimated according to the current motion level and the possible range.

Abstract: A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.).

Abstract: A surgical retractor and a method of minimally invasive surgery, wherein the surgical retractor includes ribs and a mechanism for microns-resolution transferring of linear and rotational movements of the ribs and wherein each rib can be easily replaced without use of any additional tools. According to an embodiment of the present invention the transmission is simpler. Likewise, an auxiliary handle is added to facilitate the insertion of the ribs into the body of the operated patient, and the vast majority of components of the surgical retractor are made with biocompatible, and FDA approved material ULTEM HU 1000 RESIN transparent (radiolucent) to X-ray radiation and are designated for single use.

Abstract: A mountable, top-loading retractor device that is quickly and easily mountable to a surgical tool support frame. The device has two main sections a mount assembly for attaching to the support frame, and a top-loading retractor assembly pivotably linked to the mount assembly. The mount assembly has opposed upper and lower clamping jaws to a grip a section of the frame when the assembly is operated to set the clamping jaws. The retractor assembly includes a retractor mechanism having a separate arm receivable into the top surface of the retractor assembly and engageable by the retractor mechanism. The arm extends beyond the retractor assembly and is positionable along its length. The distal end of the arm is adapted to attach to a surgical retractor tool, and to apply a force to operate the tool.

Abstract: A connector for a surgical retractor is shown. The connector includes a body member having an opening for receiving a nipple of a retractor blade. The connector also includes a retainer pivotally attached to the body member between an open position and a closed position. A lock mechanism locks the retainer in the closed position so that the nipple of the retractor blade is locked in the connector. A safety latch constrains the lock mechanism when the retainer is in the closed position.

Abstract: A rake retractor is provided which is preferably used in conjunction with a hollow needle having a diameter of 2.5 mm or smaller. The rake retractor broadly includes a shaft coupled to a plurality of free ends. The needle and/or rake retractor are preferably provided with a mechanism for locking the shaft of the rake retractor relative to the needle so that the rake retractor and needle can be fixed in place relative to each other. The free ends or prongs of the retractor at the end of the shaft are biased to an open position. When the rake rectractor is extended through the needle such that the free ends extend outside the needle, the free ends open up in a rake configuration. When the rake rectractor is pulled back relative to the needle such that the needle extends over the free ends, the free ends assume a closed position.

Abstract: A vaginal suppository delivery device includes a pincer body having upper and lower clamp members that cooperate to confine a passage, a sleeve member, and a push rod. The clamp members have connecting and clamp end sections. The sleeve member is movable toward the connecting and clamp end sections of the clamp members so as to permit the clamp end sections to move away from and toward each other, thereby permitting a suppository to be disposed and clamped in a drug receiving groove in the passage. The push rod has an operating end that is operable so as to enable a drug pushing end to push the suppository to move out of the passage after the pincer body has been inserted into a vaginal cavity, thereby delivering the suppository into the vaginal cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting accessory system using fiberoptic illumination. In certain embodiments, the lighting accessory system of the present invention is combinable with a hand tool, for example a forceps, to illuminate the grasping tips of the tool. The lighting accessory system provides an illuminable tool whereby an object may be illuminated and grasped while being illuminated without obstruction by the illumination means. In certain embodiments, the lighting accessory system may be used for medical or surgical tools.

Abstract: Surgical instrument, particularly a surgical retractor, for use in harvesting saphenous veins for use in coronary bypass operations. The retractor includes a handle, a retractor blade member including first and second limbs which define a view area axis, and a light source coupled to the retractor blade member for directing light away from the handle and away from the view area. The retractor may be inserted into a surgical wound to illuminate the surgical field. In use, the surgical retractor may be manipulated by a physician and can be used to expose sections of the vein and to facilitate blunt dissection along the length of the vein.

Abstract: An improved organ retractor includes an elongate handle and a rigid stem extending from one end of the elongate handle. A hollow sleeve is positioned around the stem and is axially slidable along the stem from a retracted position partly inside of said handle to an extended position. The sleeve is bifurcated or divided axially in half adjacent a distal end thereof to define two opposed elongate resilient fingers. The distal ends of each of the fingers are movable from a closed position wherein those distal ends are substantially adjacent each other surrounding the rigid stem to an open position wherein the distal ends are spaced from each other. A connector arm is positioned between each of the fingers and the rigid stem. The connector arms move the fingers to an open position when the stem is in one of the retracted and extended positions and move the fingers to a closed position when the stem is in the other of the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A first inflatable retraction device has a first inflatable chamber and a non-pressurized chamber inside the main chamber. The non-pressurized chamber is expanded by inflating a second inflatable chamber. The non-pressurized chamber enables the main chamber to remain inflated when an aperture is cut in the envelope of the main chamber, through which treatment is carried out. A second inflatable retraction device has an inflatable retractor and a maintainer. The inflatable retractor retracts the organ and the maintainer maintains the organ in its retracted condition after the inflatable retractor is deflated. The maintainer can be inflatable, and can be inside or outside the inflatable retractor. A self-retracting endoscope has an optical assembly with an expandable retractor fitted to its distal end. The distal end of the endoscope is inserted into the body with the retractor in a collapsed condition.