Abstract: A retractor for use in surgery, has arms (2, 4) pivotal into a V-shaped configuration. Blades (16) are carried by the arms via mounting portions (16a) which can slide along the arms to provide adjustment in position with the blades being locked in that position simply by skewing the mounting portions on the arms.

Abstract: An arterial clamp has opposed clamping posts arranged to lie at opposite sides of an artery to clamp the artery between opposed clamping faces of the posts. The posts are carried by a pair of arms pivotally movable one relative to the other to move the posts into clamping relationship with the artery. A ratchet device releasably locks the arms in a selected clamping position. The clamp including posts, arms, and ratchet device is formed as a one-piece plastics moulding.

Abstract: A retractor for use in surgery, such as chest surgery, comprises two arms (4,6) each adapted to carry a blade (14,16) engageable with one side of an incision, the two arms (4,6) being connected by a pivot (8) at one end portion such that the arms (4,6) can be pivoted between a closed position and an adjustable open position in which the arms define a substantially V-shaped configuration in which the blades (14,16) maintain the sides of the incision in inclined relation. The arms are moved to the open position by means of a curved rack (20) carried by one of the arms (6) and a pinion (28) carried by the other arm (4), the pinion (28) being releasably lockable to retain the arms in the open position by a ratchet and pawl mechanism.

Abstract: An arterial clamp has opposed clamping posts arranged to lie at opposite sides of an artery to clamp the artery between opposed clamping faces of the posts. The posts are carried by a pair of arms pivotally movable one relative to the other to move the posts into clamping relationship with the artery. A ratchet device releasably locks the arms in a selected clamping position. The clamp including posts, arms, and ratchet device is formed as a one-piece plastics moulding.