Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a side loading socket configured to receive a connector head. A linearly moveable slide retains the connector head within the socket cavity. The slide has a convex face outwardly from the socket cavity which assists in “snapping” in a connector head. A convex inner face assists in retaining an inserted connector head. A notch in the tip of the slide assists in preventing rotation of a connector head having opposing locking pins when one of the pins is received in a recess at the back of the socket cavity. A grip is connected to the slide which may move the slide from a locked to a released position within a slot in the socket body.

Abstract: A lid for use with an open top container threadably engages with the open head container to secure the lid to the container. A seal is located between tapered surfaces of the lid and the container member such that compression of the seal occurs gradually as the lid is threadably secured onto the container member. The lid is equipped with a torquing tool which pivots at along a ridge at the edge of the lid. In a stored configuration, the torquing tool has a handle which is at least partially contained within a chamber in the lid. A base of the torquing tool has a top surface which is coplanar with a top surface of a portion the lid in the stored configuration. To utilize the torquing tool, the handle is rotated about the pivot, to an extended position. The handle may then assist an operator in twisting the lid relative to the container member.

Abstract: A rongeur having a crossbar with a cutter and a shaft with a footplate. The crossbar moves towards the footplate through movement of an actuator connected to the crossbar about an arcuate path about a first pivot. This results in a portion of the crossbar moving initially away from the shaft as the cutter moves towards the footplate to create a gap, and then back towards the shaft as the cutter contacts the footplate. A spring mechanism biases the crossbar in a ready position with a first distance separating the cutter and the footplate. When the cutter contacts the footplate, the crossbar is in a cutting position. When the crossbar is between the ready position and the cutting position, it is in an intermediate position with a gap between the crossbar and the shaft. A retainer is positioned in an engaged position to maintain the crossbar in an intermediate position for cleaning. The retainer is preferably a disposable O-ring which is disposed after each use.