Abstract: A flip control support connection in a surgical retractor system includes a receptacle head having a through-hole for receiving a nipple on a retractor blade in either of two directions. In one direction, flats on the receptacle head mate with flats on the nipple so the blade is rotationally fixed relative to the receptacle head and its handle. The handle/receptacle head can be hand-detached from the nipple/blade, flipped to the opposing orientation, and hand-reattached to provide a second mode of tissue retraction. In the second mode of tissue retraction, the flats on the receptacle head do not mate with the flats on the nipple, and the nipple/blade is free to pivot during retraction relative to the receptacle head/handle.

Abstract: A U-type clamp has two arms and a base and tightens around cylindrical stock. The surface of the clamp that makes contact with the cylindrical stock is not itself entirely cylindrical in its loosened state. The preferred embodiment involves a first cylindrical profile extending around about ¾ of the contact surface which is intended to match the curvature of the post. The final ¼ or so of contact surface has a larger radius of curvature than the first cylindrical profile. The second cylindrical profile may also be offset relative to the first cylindrical profile.

Abstract: A clamp is used to attach generally rectangular bar stock, such as existing Bookwalter/Codman rings, to a post in a surgical retractor system. The clamp interacts with corners of the ring at any of a wide range of widths and thicknesses, while still retaining a simple and intuitive tightening action such as through a rotational collar which absorbs some of the clamping force as a hoop stress. In the preferred arrangement, the clamp makes a tripod top/planar bottom contact with the generally rectangular bar stock of the ring. An articulating joint permits best fold up of the clamp, with a ball shaft which is constrained within the bisecting plane of the joint clamp. A spherical nut is used on the clamp bolt in one of the clamps, which permits some change in orientation of the clamp bolt when the clamp bolt is tightened using a cammed handle.

Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a support frame clamp member, a retraction shaft clamp member and a handle linked to the support frame clamp member and the retraction shaft clamp member for moving the clamp members between loosened and tightened positions. The handle includes a cam, and the handle/cam is unitarily formed by metal injection molding. The handle includes relatively uniform thickness throughout to better accept the shrinkage induced by the metal injection molding process. The base used for a bottom position of the cam is adjustable and spring loaded, to better support a wider range of manufacturing tolerances on the cam as well as the other components of the clamp without over stressing the metal injection molded handle during use. The handle includes a gripping portion with a planar portion inducing alignment of the clamping force as desired for best operation of the clamp.

Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a support frame clamp member, a retraction shaft clamp member and a handle linked to the support frame clamp member and the retraction shaft clamp member for moving the clamp members between loosened and tightened positions. Both the support frame clamp member and the retraction shaft clamp member permit transverse attachment. The shaft clamp and the support frame permit pivoting of the retraction shaft relative to the support frame. The handle is always in alignment with the retractor shaft, with a gripping portion extending above and in line with the shaft but attached to the clamp below the shaft. With this clamp and handle configuration, the clamp maintains a very low profile while still allowing easy access to the handle from above during the tightening and/or loosening motions, permitting a single handed “scissors action” tightening.

Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a support frame clamp member, a retraction shaft clamp member and a handle linked to the support frame clamp member and the retraction shaft clamp member for moving the clamp members between loosened and tightened positions. The shaft clamp and the support frame permit pivoting of the retraction shaft relative to the support frame. The handle is disposed to move through a throw of less than 90°, always outside the support frame and always in alignment with the retractor shaft. For a standard orientation of the clamp, the tightening throw is vertically upward, on a handle which is balanced and aligned relative to the pivot axis and possibly relative to the connection of the frame clamp to the support frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a leg during a surgical procedure includes a support for mounting to a surgical table. A harness is positioned about a thigh and is secured to the support thereby supporting the thigh in an elevated position.

Abstract: A method of performing a hip joint surgery on a patient includes positioning the patient on a surgical table where the hip joint includes a pelvis having an acetabulum, a femur and a femoral ball. The method includes mounting a retractor support to the surgical table. The retractor support is positioned about the hip joint and about an incision into the skin and flesh layers proximate the hip joint. A blade portion of a retractor is positioned within the incision and the skin and flesh layers are manually retracted proximate the hip joint. A handle portion of the retractor is pivoted with respect to the blade portion to position the handle portion in a selected position. The handle portion is secured in a selected position by attaching the handle portion to the retractor support.

Abstract: A shaped surgical retractor blade is used in a surgical retractor assembly. The shaped retractor blade is not formed of sheet material but rather is formed to have a non-uniform thickness between the tissue contacting side and the surgical arena side. The non-uniform thickness can be provided by a longitudinally running rib running between two recesses on surgical arena side of the retractor blade. The recesses provide openings through which the surgeon can better view the surgical arena. The rib provides additional bending strength to the retractor blade. The tissue contacting side of the blade can have a convex curvature, minimizing the possibility of tissue damage at the location that the blade contacts the tissue. The retractor blade can have a constant longitudinally extending section and a distal, tapering section.

Abstract: A port for providing access to a surgical site in a patient's body includes a plurality of segments that when positioned substantially adjacent to each other form a substantially uninterrupted outer perimeter and an internal access portal to the surgical site The port also includes a locking mechanism for retaining the plurality of segments substantially adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a first clamping member comprising a first clamping surface for engaging a first surgical rod and an attachment end. A second clamping member is mounted with respect to the first clamping member wherein the second clamping member comprises a second clamping surface for engaging a second surgical rod. A slide pin is disposed through and positioned within the attachment end of the first clamping member and wherein the shaft is in communication with the second clamping member. A force providing mechanism is disposed between the first and second clamping members and disposed about the slide pin wherein when the force providing mechanism and the slide pin are movable with respect to each other and place the first and second clamping members in either a loosened position or a tightened position.

Abstract: A retractor system includes an adjustable arm having a proximal end and a distal end where a cable is disposed through the adjustable arm from the proximal end to the distal end. A housing is attached to a proximal end of the adjustable arm. The proximal end has a carriage movably disposed therein that engages one end of the cable. A tensioning mechanism is positioned within the housing wherein the tensioning mechanism applies a force to the cable to provide tension to the cable when the carriage is in a non-tensioning position. An activating device engages the carriage where manipulation of the activating device moves the carriage and provides tension to the cable which stiffens the adjustable arm.