Abstract: A bone elevator system includes: a bone hook; a first coupling device; an elevator arm member including a substantially straight first elongate arm and a substantially straight second elongate arm which is offset from and fixedly coupled with the first elongate arm, the first coupling device coupling the first elongate arm with the bone hook, the second elongate arm configured for being coupled, by way of a second coupling device, with an anchoring post.

Abstract: A retractor ring assembly includes a ring holder that has a first selectively engaged connection and a second selectively engaged connection. A first and second ring portion each has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the first and second ring portions are selectively connected to the respective first and second selectively engaged connections of the ring holder. The distal end of the first ring portion has a third selectively engaged connection. The distal end of the second ring portion has a fourth selectively engaged connection. The third selectively engaged connection and the fourth selectively engaged connection are connectable to form a reinforced closed ring configuration, and are disconnectable to form an open ring configuration.

Abstract: A retractor ring assembly includes a ring holder that has a first selectively engaged connection and a second selectively engaged connection. A first and second ring portion each has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the first and second ring portions are selectively connected to the respective first and second selectively engaged connections of the ring holder. The distal end of the first ring portion has a third selectively engaged connection. The distal end of the second ring portion has a fourth selectively engaged connection. The third selectively engaged connection and the fourth selectively engaged connection are connectable to form a reinforced closed ring configuration, and are disconnectable to form an open ring configuration.

Abstract: An adjustable ratchet retractor support apparatus includes in one aspect a rotatable locking mount having first and second surfaces and an axis of rotation perpendicular to the surfaces. First and second rotatable pivot members are disposed respectively on the first and second surfaces for rotation around the axis of rotation. Each of the pivot members include ratchet teeth. First and second curved arm members are mounted respectively on and associated respectively with the first and second pivot members. Each of the arm members is rotatable about a respective axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the locking mount. Each arm member has mounted thereon a ratchet pawl for engagement with the ratchet teeth of the associated pivot member. First and second rotatable clamps are disposed respectively on the first and second pivot members for restraining rotation of the pivot members.

Abstract: A three-dimensional tilt ratchet mechanism that is able to rotate, pivot, and bend forwards or backwards with ease is provided. The mechanism includes a device for multi-dimensional movement and placement of a retractor blade which comprises a first member adapted to receive a stem of a retractor blade. The first member has a locking mechanism effective to enable selective lateral adjustment of the retractor blade relative to the first member. Also provided is a second member to which the first member is mated. The first member is vertically pivotable with respect to the second member to enable selective vertical pivoting adjustment of the retractor blade relative to the second member. A rotator indexing body is mated to the second member and is adapted to mount onto a rim of a surgical support.

Abstract: A retractor systems includes a retractor blade with a blade portion and a handle portion that fit together in a modular way to allow different blades to be removably and interchangeably affixed to the handle assembly. A dovetail mounts the blade in a plane substantially transverse or perpendicular to the shaft. Preferably, the handle assembly translates within a multi-position locking mechanism to allow adjustment of the handle extension along one or more axes, while the in-plane swing of the blade about the shaft conveniently positions the tip of the blade under tissue to be retracted when bone or hard tissue may impede access along a retraction direction parallel to the axis of the shaft. The interchangeable blades may have different sizes between approximately 5 and 15 centimeters length, and are manually affixed to the handle to set the reach and scope of the retractor for a particular operation.

Abstract: A retractor systems includes a retractor blade with a blade portion and a handle portion that fit together in a modular way to allow different blades to be removably and interchangeably affixed to the handle assembly. A dovetail mounts the blade in a plane substantially transverse or perpendicular to the shaft. Preferably, the handle assembly translates within a multi-position locking mechanism to allow adjustment of the handle extension along one or more axes, while the in-plane swing of the blade about the shaft conveniently positions the tip of the blade under tissue to be retracted when bone or hard tissue may impede access along a retraction direction parallel to the axis of the shaft. The interchangeable blades may have different sizes between approximately 5 and 15 centimeters length, and are manually affixed to the handle to set the reach and scope of the retractor for a particular operation.

Abstract: A retractor blade mounts on a shaft having a controlled degree of rotation and swings down to grip and retract tissue from bone or a hard tissue structure. The retractor blade includes a blade portion and a handle portion which may be integrally joined or may fit together in a modular way to allow different blades to be removably and interchangeably affixed to the handle assembly. A dovetail may mount the blade in a plane substantially transverse or perpendicular to the shaft. The shaft translates within a multi-position locking mechanism to allow adjustment of the handle extension along one or more axes, while the in-plane swing of the blade about the shaft conveniently positions the tip of the blade under tissue to be retracted when bone or hard tissue impedes access along the retraction direction parallel to the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A retractor blade having a generally "S" shaped configuration in cross section. The blade is pivotally attached to a rod which may be connected to a table fixed ring retractor. The central portion of the blade moves tissue away from the operative site when the distal end of the blade is placed against a bone and the rod is moved away from the operative site.

Abstract: A multi-position ratchet mechanism for holding a surgical retractor blade which permits a retractor blade to be rotated into the wound and retracted at the same time to duplicate the natural "toe-in" method of retraction achieved with the hand. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet holder to which is pivotally attached a ratchet pivot housing. The retractor blade is mounted in an opening projecting through ratchet pivot housing and held in position by a retractor pawl attached to the ratchet pivot housing. The ratchet pivot housing also has a curved ratchet which depends into a cooperating slot in the ratchet holder and engages a ratchet release bar which is mounted on the ratchet holder and spring biased into the ratchet slot. One end of ratchet release bar is positioned under an actuating surface of the retractor pawl. The application of pressure on the actuating surface will release both ratchets to allow adjustment of the retractor blade.

Abstract: Arched arms fit over the contour of the chest cavity. Retractor blades are attached to the arms at one end by pivot pins allowing complete rotation vertically of the arms relative to the blades. The blades are attached to the pivot pin by joints which are slightly rotatable in a horizontal direction. Opposite the blade end, a rack bar is rigidly secured to one arm and slides through a slot in a housing at the end of the other arm, A pinion and handle in the housing moves the rack to separate the blades at the other end and bring them together again.

Abstract: A rectangular top post slides into an operating table post base opening just large enough to receive it. Rulon (TM) rods are inserted in slots around the opening. The rods are secured permanently in the slots and the rods protrude into the opening evenly at six points spaced around the opening. The Rulon (TM) rods provide a tight-fitting restraint on the bar, but because of the slidability along the surface of the rods, the post may be moved manually up or down with a minor effort. The tight sliding fit maintains the post rigidly in place without moving up or down or twisting once the bar is in a set position. Motion is only possible in a vertical direction. A casing attached to the top of the top post houses a rack and pinion drive with a rack arm extending out over a patient. Surgical apparatus, such as retractors, are attached to the rack arm.

Abstract: The moving parts of the clamping mechanism are enclosed within a hollowed out enlarged casing at the base of the stabilizer post. The hooked base of the post forms the bottom of the clamp. Inside the post casing the hooked top of the clamp is attached to two side panels with angled slots. A screw through a back panel engages a large rectangular nut fitted with angled protruding blocks on each side of the nut. The nut protruding blocks fit into the angled slots of the side panels. The bolt is rotataly fixed at one end so turning it moves the nut forward and backward along the screw. When the bolt is turned and the nut moves horizontally on the bolt, the side panels move up and down. The hooked top of the clamp moves up or down engaging and releasing a side rail of an operating table between the clamp elements. A relatively flat knob to turn the screw is the only protrusion from the post casing at the base.

Abstract: A threaded rod has a ball at one end and a stationary jaw at an opposite end with an end cap covering the end of the rod. A threaded collar pushes a movable jaw along the threaded rod toward the stationary gripping jaw by turning the collar clockwise. The movable collar has a cylindrical dome which covers the threaded rod and the end cap. An interior sleeve secured to the threaded collar at one end by an interior ring has a ridge at the other end of the interior sleeve which pulls the movable jaw away from the stationary jaw by turning the collar counter-clockwise to release the jaws. The ball on one end of the clamp is inserted in an existing float and lock ball system attached to a stabilizing post on an operating table bed. The clamp secures surgical apparatus in place over the patient on the operating table.

Abstract: A hollow tubular needle body open at a distal end, tapers inwardly to define a distal end opening of reduced cross-section relative to the balance of the biopsy needle hollow tubular body bore. The distal end of the hollow tubular needle body is provided with an axially oblique sharp cutting edge terminating in a pointed tip to facilitate skin penetration. A hollow tubular needle body is of racetrack cross-section, formed by opposed parallel straight walls joined at opposite ends to respective arcuate walls. Laterally projecting ribs provided within the hollow tubular needle body at the juncture between one arcuate wall and the opposed, parallel straight walls support a thin flexible strip formed guillotine cutting blade, having a lateral width less than the distance between the opposed parallel straight body walls facing the one arcuate wall for longitudinal sliding movement toward and away from the needle body distal end.