Abstract: A side-load connector comprises a housing, a port into which an attachment post of a retractor blade is loaded, a sidewall opening, a retaining fork between a housing upper surface and a housing lower surface, and a slider. The port passes through the housing upper surface and the housing lower surface. The sidewall opening passes through a housing sidewall and permits lateral passage of the attachment post through the housing sidewall to the port. The retaining fork includes a front tine and a back tine. The slider is coupled to the retaining fork and configured to slide the retaining fork between a closed position in which the front tine and the back tine engage the loaded attachment post and an opened position in which the front tine does not engage the loaded attachment post.

Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor blade and a retractor arm having a side-load connector. The side-load connector includes a port that passes through an upper surface and a lower surface of the side-load connector. A sidewall opening in the side-load connector permits lateral passage of the attachment post through a sidewall to the port. The side-load connector includes a cam pivotably coupled between the lower surface and the upper surface and a spring that applies a biasing force on the cam. The biasing force biases the cam to a closed position in which the cam extends into the opening and prevents unloading the attachment post from the port via the opening. The cam selectively engages either a first groove or a second groove of the attachment post sidewall. The side-load connector further includes teeth that engage teeth of the retractor body when the cam engages the first groove.

Abstract: A retractor system for securing surgical retractors includes an elastic tether and a cleat. The elastic tether has an elongated side and a predetermined diameter. The cleat includes a base, a head, and a shaft. The base includes an upper surface with a first row of teeth. The head is coupled to the base via the shaft. The head includes a lower surface with a second row of teeth. The first row of teeth are opposite the second row of teeth by less than the predetermined diameter of the tether and are configured to receive and compress the elongated side of the tether. Each tooth of the first row of teeth includes a first gripping surface that extends away from the shaft. Each tooth of the second row of teeth includes a second gripping surface that extends away from the shaft and that is parallel to the first gripping surface of a directly opposite tooth of the first row of teeth.

Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor blade and a handle assembly. The retractor blade includes a base portion, a blade extending from the base portion, and a handle mount affixed to the base portion. The handle assembly includes an attachment portion and a retaining rod. The attachment portion includes a slot configured to receive the handle mount, a first cavity adjoining the slot, a retaining member moveable along the first cavity, and a second cavity adjoining the first cavity. Advancement of the retaining rod through the second cavity and into the first cavity advances the retaining member into the slot and into engagement with the handle mount.

Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor blade and a retractor arm having a side-load connector. The side-load connector includes a port that passes through an upper surface and a lower surface of the side-load connector. A sidewall opening in the side-load connector permits lateral passage of the attachment post through a sidewall to the port. The side-load connector includes a cam pivotably coupled between the lower surface and the upper surface and a spring that applies a biasing force on the cam. The biasing force biases the cam to a closed position in which the cam extends into the opening and prevents unloading the attachment post from the port via the opening. The cam selectively engages either a first groove or a second groove of the attachment post sidewall. The side-load connector further includes teeth that engage teeth of the retractor body when the cam engages the first groove.

Abstract: A distractor system may include a distractor, a first distraction screw, and a second distraction screw. The first distraction screw includes a proximal end and a distal end having threads that affix the screw to bone. First and second arms are coupled to a crossbar via respective first and second ratchets and are configured to receive respective first and second distraction screws. The first ratchet includes a switch configured to select between ratcheted movement of the first arm along the crossbar toward the second arm and ratcheted movement of the first arm along the crossbar away from the second arm.

Abstract: A retractor system for securing surgical retractors includes an elastic tether and a cleat. The elastic tether has an elongated side and a predetermined diameter. The cleat includes a base, a head, and a shaft. The base includes an upper surface with a first row of teeth. The head is coupled to the base via the shaft. The head includes a lower surface with a second row of teeth. The first row of teeth are opposite the second row of teeth by less than the predetermined diameter of the tether and are configured to receive and compress the elongated side of the tether. Each tooth of the first row of teeth includes a first gripping surface that extends away from the shaft. Each tooth of the second row of teeth includes a second gripping surface that extends away from the shaft and that is parallel to the first gripping surface of a directly opposite tooth of the first row of teeth.

Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor blade and a handle assembly. The retractor blade includes a base portion, a blade extending from the base portion, and a handle mount affixed to the base portion. The handle assembly includes an attachment portion and a retaining rod. The attachment portion includes a slot configured to receive the handle mount, a first cavity adjoining the slot, a retaining member moveable along the first cavity, and a second cavity adjoining the first cavity. Advancement of the retaining rod through the second cavity and into the first cavity advances the retaining member into the slot and into engagement with the handle mount.

Abstract: A distractor system may include a distractor, a first distraction screw, and a second distraction screw. The first distraction screw includes a proximal end and a distal end having threads that affix the screw to bone. First and second arms are coupled to a crossbar via respective first and second ratchets and are configured to receive respective first and second distraction screws. The first ratchet includes a switch configured to select between ratcheted movement of the first arm along the crossbar toward the second arm and ratcheted movement of the first arm along the crossbar away from the second arm.