Abstract: A surgical aid for retaining displaced material in a surgical site in its displaced position. The aid consists of a wire core of aluminum or aluminum alloy or stainless steel and a covering of a suitable elastomer, such as dimethyl polysiloxane polymer, organo-metallically bonded or otherwise contiguous thereto. The aid is malleable, non-toxic and compatible with cell metabolism. It can be clamped to a retractor frame fixed relative to a surgical site and has major advantages over the use of sponges, towels and other surgical aids now in use. The aid has a body portion and a handle portion which can be held by an assistant or clamped to the frame, allowing the assistant to assume a more productive role in the operation or dispensing with him completely.

Abstract: An instructional aid for holding the tips of a pair of skis together is disclosed. This aid is suitable for a novice skier learning to ski. It enables the skier to keep the skis in a snowplow position. The aid has a first and second clamping means adapted to be mounted on the tips of a pair of skis. One of the clamping means has a U-bend with a shank portion which extends downwards and hooks into an eyelet on a second clamping means attached to the tip of the other ski. The shank may easily be disengaged from the eyelet by the skier but not when the skis are in the snowplow position. Thus the skier need not remove the skis to separate the connection.