Abstract: A medical retractor for holding open a body cavity. A base plate includes a pair of blades mounted and depending therefrom. A second plate is pivotally mounted to the base plate and has a second pair of blades slidably mounted thereto and depending therefrom. One of the blades is fixedly mounted whereas the three remaining blades are slidably mounted to the plates by arms having teeth engaging releasable locks on the plates. The second plate has a flat smooth surface defining the upper boundary of the retractor providing a snag free environment for the surgeon.

Abstract: Retractor for wounds, incisions or cavities, with the retractor having a plurality of at least three detachable blades which open out one from another upon actuation of a single control, thereby forming a polygonal aperture. The opening mechanism includes a cam and is contained in a box situated outside the operating field. The present invention is more specifically intended for use in abdominal surgery or, in the gynecological field, for vaginal and cervical surgery or examination.

Abstract: Retractor for wounds, incisions or cavities, with the retractor having a plurality of at least three detachable blades which open out one from another upon actuation of a single control, thereby forming a polygonal aperture. The opening mechanism is contained in a box situated outside the operating field. The present invention is more specifically intended for use in abdominal surgery or, in the gynecological field, for vaginal and cervical surgery or examination.

Abstract: A mechanism to set in motion the rectilinear transfer of a moving body sliding in relation to a support is disclosed. A servomotor drives a shaft in rotation. The rotation is transformed by pulleys and belts. Two belts are staggered along the shaft axis and are wound on two pulleys of the same diameter. A first end of each of these belts is attached to the corresponding pulley, while the second end of each of these belts is attached to the moving body, the winding directions being opposite so that each rotation in one direction or the other of the shaft causes the winding of one of the belts and the unwinding of the other. Application is to Cartesian displacement robot arms and devices of rectilinear transfer with cross-motions back and forth and up and down.

Abstract: A production-line robot comprising an operative arm provided at its outer, pivoted end with a support mechanism is coupled via the latter to one of a plurality of tools associated with the robot, the tools being supported in their inoperative position by lock plates or bolts operable by the tool holder of the robot arm. The lock plates may comprise a tool receiving support provided with centering members with which a tool bearing plate is adapted to co-operate in the inoperative tool position, the bearing plate and the end support of the robot comprising mutual centering mechanisms, at least one of them being provided with controlled coupling and uncoupling members so that the robot can pick up and become coupled with one tool automatically and, after using this tool, deposit same upon the corresponding receiving support for subsequently picking up and becoming coupled with another tool waiting on its relevant receiving support.