Abstract: Improved medical suturing devices, systems, and methods for maintaining a position and orientation of a suture needle at a fixed location relative to a suturing device. An exemplary device include a clamp having opposing grasping surfaces for grasping the needle at a first location, and a needle contacting surface for contacting the needle at a second location, the second location a distance axially away from the first location so as to inhibit unintended movement of the needle relative to the device, which may include rotation of the needle about the first location and rotation of the needle about its axis. In many embodiments, the device includes a first and second clamp and a mechanism for alternating grasping of the needle between the first and second clamp. The device may also be incorporated into a single-clamp needle grasping device.

Abstract: Improved medical suturing devices, systems, and methods may hold a suture needle at a fixed location relative to a handle of the device, allowing the surgeon to grasp and manipulate the handle of the suturing device to insert the needle through tissues in a manner analogous to use of a standard needle gripper. Cycling the handle from a closed position to an open position and back to the closed position may alternate the device between gripping the needle with a first clamp (for example, along a proximal portion of the needle) to gripping the needle with a second clamp (for example, along a distal portion of the needle) and optionally back to gripping with the first clamp, with the needle often staying at a substantially fixed location relative to the altering device body. Related single-clamp needle grasping devices can be bent plastically by a surgeon, and/or have bodies that are grasped by a hand while a portion of the hand actuates a handle.

Abstract: Medical suturing devices, systems, and methods will be useful for endoscopic or open surgeries, including ear, nose, and throat procedures. Articulation motions may be transferred from a handle to needle grasping jaws using an axial movement of a shaft. Portions of the devices may be disposable, replaceable, and/or reusable, with different needle-grasping jaws and/or different elongate extension bodies having different configurations optionally being selectably coupleably to an articulatable handle and housing so as to allow the user to configure the device for a particular procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Rongeur for surgical use. The disclosed Rongeur has a push button actuator which, upon activation, allows the long parts of the Rongeur to be easily separated for thorough cleaning and sterilization for reuse.

Abstract: A rotatable arm is provided which provides an ability to rotate a working end of an instrument such as a surgical retractor. Rotation of a key hub transfers torque to a drive hub which causes an extension or retraction of a lead screw along a center axis of the rotating arm. The extension or retraction forces a drive pin to bear against sides of helical slots of a driven tip, producing a rotation of the driven tip along a pitch line of the helical slots. The driven tip is connected to the working end such that the two rotate together. The rotatable arm has a low profile, a non-reversible torque transmission, and may be hermetically sealed.

Abstract: Suturing systems may comprise a cartridge and a drive unit which are detachable from each other. The cartridge often has a cartridge body, a plurality of jaws, and a cartridge interface. The drive unit has a drive unit body, a linkage, and a drive unit interface which will typically include a latch. A latch input is coupled to the latch so that a movement of the input moves the latch to the released position. The cartridge interface or the drive unit interface includes a channel while the other includes a shaft which is fittingly receivable in the channel. Opposed motions of the input and cartridge during cartridge removal avoid inadvertent detachment during use.

Abstract: A slide and snap clamp provides a first clamping member with first and second clamping sections. The first clamping section is located adjacent the hinge while the second clamping section and the hinge on opposite sides of the first clamping section. An actuator is used to transition the first clamping member from an unlocked or locked configuration with a rail in one of the first and second clamping sections. The first and second clamping sections are configured to receive the rail A at a predetermined cross sectional perimeter in either of the first and second clamping sections. The operator selects which of the two clamping sections be utilized the actuator can be transitioned and locked position thereby securing the rail to the first clamping member.

Abstract: A surgical retractor having laterally extending rack with a first arm connected to the rack spaced from the second arm. A retractor clamp has a slot which engages one of the arms. Extending from the clamp is a leg with a mount which receives a connector head of a retractor blade. One or more retractor clamps may be advantageously positioned on either of the arms at a desired location. In the preferred embodiment, the mount is rotatable relative to a member housing the slot such that a retractor blade connected to the mount may be pivoted into and out of an incision. Furthermore the housing member is configured so that a hand held gripper may be connected to the connector head of a retractor blade as it extends through the mount.

Abstract: A slide and snap clamp provides a first clamping member with first and second clamping sections. The first clamping section is located adjacent the hinge while the second clamping section and the hinge on opposite sides of the first clamping section. An actuator is used to transition the first clamping member from an unlocked or locked configuration with a rail in one of the first and second clamping sections. The first and second clamping sections are configured to receive the rail A at a predetermined cross sectional perimeter in either of the first and second clamping sections. The operator selects which of the two clamping sections be utilized the actuator can be transitioned and locked position thereby securing the rail to the first clamping member.

Abstract: A retractor clamp assembly includes a clamp positionable about a support ring. A retractor shaft extends from the clamp and has a connector at the end with a retractor blade connected thereto by a stem. The connector is preferably equipped with a first slot limiting the side to side angular range of motion of the retractor blade stem relative to the retractor shaft, and a second slot limiting the top to bottom range of motion of the retractor blade stem relative to the retractor shaft. This allows the retractor blade to be maintained and/or positioned in an optimum position relative to retracted tissue while allowing the retractor shaft to be selectively positioned by a user.

Abstract: A retractor clamp assembly includes a clamp positionable about a support ring. A retractor shaft extends from the clamp and has a connector at the end with a retractor blade connected thereto by a stem. The connector is preferably equipped with a first slot limiting the side to side angular range of motion of the retractor blade stem relative to the retractor shaft, and a second slot limiting the top to bottom range of motion of the retractor blade stem relative to the retractor shaft. This allows the retractor blade to be maintained and/or positioned in an optimum position relative to retracted tissue while allowing the retractor shaft to be selectively positioned by a user.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprising a laterally extending rack having a first arm connected to the rack spaced from a movable second arm connected to the rack. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second arms have first segments connected to the rack connected to intermediate segments which are connect to third segments at the end of the arms. The intermediate segments are angled toward one another which allow the ends of the arms to be closer than the stationary segments connected to the rack. Additionally, the arms are preferably rotatable along longitudinal axes relative to the rack and can be locked in a fixed angular position.

Abstract: A surgical retractor has a body and a socket laterally receiving a connector head. The socket cavity is offset from a loading axis extending to the mouth of the slot. The slot laterally receives the connector head as directed towards the socket cavity where it is retained in a locked configuration. The socket cavity is offset from the loading axis.

Abstract: A connector head for a retractor blade provides connector head adapted to cooperate with a first and a second side loading socket. The connector head includes a first and a second loading portion, the second loading portion located above the first loading portion. A cap is preferably located between the first and second loading portions to separate the first and second loading portions from one another. The first loading portion includes a base which rests on a ledge surface of the retractor blade. The base and the cap may have sloped edges to assist in locating a socket between shoulders of the cap and base. The first loading portion has a diameter which is less than the diameter of the base an cap to define a first channel. The second loading portion has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the cap and top to provide a second channel. Two sockets from separate retractor instruments may connect to the connector head at the same time.

Abstract: Surgical retractor apparatus is shown having at least two independently operable clamping locations for receiving pivot balls therein. These two clamping locations lock and unlock their respective pivot balls independent of locking of the other pivot ball. Furthermore, the locking mechanisms utilized to lock the pivot balls also utilize the lock the angular position of the extension rod relative to the clamp. An adjuster intermediate the clamping positions allows for the movement of the clamping location relative to each other.

Abstract: Surgical retractor apparatus is shown having at least two independently operable clamping locations for receiving pivot balls therein. These two clamping locations lock and unlock their respective pivot balls independent of locking of the other pivot ball. Furthermore, the locking mechanisms utilized to lock the pivot balls also utilize the lock the angular position of the extension rod relative to the clamp. An adjuster intermediate the clamping positions allows for the movement of the clamping location relative to each other.