Abstract: The present invention relates to a spreadable retractor, including a rake plate having a pair of laterally separated rake mountings; a pair of rakes, one of the rakes moveably mounted to each of the laterally separated rake mountings, wherein each of the rakes comprises a rake shaft extending away from the rake plate; and a rake spreader mounted to the rake plate at a position between the laterally separated rake mountings, the rake spreader operably linked to and configured to spread the pair of rakes apart from each other. The spreadable retractor of the present invention provides the ability for surgical personnel to use a single device to both lift and spread tissues and bones in the vicinity of a surgical incision.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spreadable retractor, including a rake plate having a pair of laterally separated rake mountings; a pair of rakes, one of the rakes moveably mounted to each of the laterally separated rake mountings, wherein each of the rakes comprises a rake shaft extending away from the rake plate; and a rake spreader mounted to the rake plate at a position between the laterally separated rake mountings, the rake spreader operably linked to and configured to spread the pair of rakes apart from each other. The spreadable retractor of the present invention provides the ability for surgical personnel to use a single device to both lift and spread tissues and bones in the vicinity of a surgical incision.

Abstract: A surgical instrument support device and method for positioning a surgical instrument relative to a surface of a surgical support platform are disclosed. The support device includes a base member, an elongated support member, an extender bar, and a securing mechanism. The base member is fixably mountable to the surgical support platform. The elongated support member has one end mounted to the base member for pivotal movement of the elongated support member relative to the base member within a pivot plane that is nonparallel to the surface of the surgical support platform. The extender bar is adapted for mounting a surgical instrument with respect thereto and is disposed at the other end of the elongated support member. The extender bar projects from the elongated support member such that the pivotal movement of the elongated support member raises or lowers the extender bar and the surgical instrument mounted with respect thereto with respect to the surface of the surgical support platform.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a support system for a surgical retractor device includes a pair of vertically extending support members, releasably attachable to a patient support platform, at least one horizontally extending cross bar attached to and supported by the pair of vertically extending support members, and at least one lifting device disposed on the at least one cross bar and attached for retraction to a retractor assembly. The first embodiment may further include a horizontal extension, upon which may be mounted a lifting device. The first embodiment may further include a second cross bar, upon which a second lifting device may be mounted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a low profile support member for a surgical retraction apparatus which includes a support member in which a lower portion of the support member has a rectilinear portion for insertion into an anchoring receptacle; an upper portion of the support member has a first horizontal extension; a splined coupling adaptor connects together the lower and upper portions, in which the splined coupling adaptor includes a splined segment having a key-like splined portion and a lock-like splined portion; and an extender portion having both a vertical extension and a second horizontal extension. The extender portion is mountable on the first horizontal extension.

Abstract: The present invention provides a set of rakes for retraction of the patient's ribs and thoracic region in, e.g., a reoperative midsternotomy surgical procedure, for providing additional support as the surgical cavity is enlarged during the course of dissection of, e.g., the internal mammary artery during its harvest for use in a coronary bypass procedure. The present invention provides as a retraction device a xiphoid rake for providing support to a body portion in a surgical procedure which includes forming a surgical cavity by a xiphoid entry, wherein the xiphoid rake is substantially stronger than conventional retractor rakes and provides a large body-supporting portion for providing greater sternal support as required in the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a support system for a surgical retractor device includes a pair of vertically extending support members, releasably attachable to a patient support platform, at least one horizontally extending cross bar attached to and supported by the pair of vertically extending support members, and at least one lifting device disposed on the at least one cross bar and attached for retraction to a retractor assembly. The first embodiment may further include a horizontal extension, upon which may be mounted a lifting device. The first embodiment may further include a second cross bar, upon which a second lifting device may be mounted.

Abstract: The present invention includes a set of rakes for use as surgical retractors in a surgical procedure in which the set of rakes includes a progressively longer body-supporting base portion. The present invention further includes a C-shape surgical retraction device including a rake end for lifting a first body portion, a pad end for depressing a second body portion and, e.g., a ring for attaching a lifting device, in which the device is adapted for use in a mid-cab surgical procedure. The present invention provides a set of rib rakes for retraction of the patient's ribs and thoracic region in a mid-cab procedure, in which each retractor rake has a progressively larger body-supporting portion, for providing additional support as the surgical cavity is enlarged during the course of dissection of, e.g., the internal mammary artery during its harvest for use in a coronary bypass procedure.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a support system for a surgical retractor device includes a pair of vertically extending support members, releasably attachable to a patient support platform, at least one horizontally extending cross bar attached to and supported by the pair of vertically extending support members, and at least one lifting device disposed on the at least one cross bar and attached for retraction to a retractor assembly. The first embodiment may further include a horizontal extension, upon which may be mounted a lifting device. The first embodiment may further include a second cross bar, upon which a second lifting device may be mounted.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a surgical retractor includes a Z-shape rake plate, one or more rakes for applying a retractor force to a portion of a patient's body, and pivoting mounting means for mounting the rakes to the rake plate. Means are provided to adjust the extension of the rakes relative to the rake plate, and various connections are provided for connecting the rakes to the rake plate. The rake plate is Z-shape to facilitate placement relative to a surgical cavity of a patient. A method of holding open a surgical cavity includes the placing of rakes relative to the cavity and adjusting the position of the respective rakes relative to the rake plate to thereby retract the portion of the patient's body and provide access to the surgical cavity.

Abstract: A surgical support apparatus for a limb of a patient includes a support assembly, such as a sling, for supporting the limb during a surgical procedure, and a mounting assembly slidably coupled to the support assembly by at least one slide rod and at least one slide tube, the support assembly being vertically positionable relative to the mounting assembly. A method for supporting and positioning a patient's body part during surgery comprising the steps of attaching the body part to a sling or other support assembly, and adjusting the position of the body part by positioning the support assembly relative to a mounting assembly slidably coupled thereto, the mounting assembly including at least one slide rod and at least one slide tube to effect vertical positioning of the support assembly relative to the mounting assembly.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a rake plate, and plural rakes for applying retractor force to a body. The rakes are pivotably mounted to the rake plate, and the length of the rakes may be adjusted relative to the rake plate. Various connections are provided for connecting the rakes to the rake plate. Also, the rake plate is concave to facilitate placement relative to a surgery cavity of a patient. A method of holding open a surgery cavity includes the placing of the rakes relative to the cavity and adjusting the length of the respective rakes.