Abstract: A surgical adaptor comprises a first member is attachable to a first surgical instrument having a projection that defines an axis, A second member is attachable to a second surgical instrument such that the second surgical instrument is movable in at least two degrees of freedom relative to the axis. Surgical systems, instruments and methods are disclosed.

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 surgical adaptor comprises a first member is attachable to a first surgical instrument having a projection that defines an axis. A second member is attachable to a second surgical instrument such that the second surgical instrument is movable in at least two degrees of freedom relative to the axis. Surgical systems, instruments and methods are disclosed.

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 surgical adaptor comprises a first member is attachable to a first surgical instrument having a projection that defines an axis. A second member is attachable to a second surgical instrument such that the second surgical instrument is movable in at least two degrees of freedom relative to the axis. Surgical systems, instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Surgical retractor systems including removable angling devices and methods of use are provided. A surgical retractor system can include a head with an opening, a blade including a nipple, and an angling device including a handle. The nipple can include a first recess that runs circumferentially around an exterior surface of the nipple and terminates at a flange. The opening can be configured to receive the nipple. The nipple can be longer than the opening such that the flange and at least a portion of the recess extend beyond an end of the opening when the blade is attached to the head. The angling device can be configured to receive the flange such that the angling device can be removably attached to the flange. The angling device can be used to manipulate the position of the blade when the angling device is attached to the flange.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide surgical retractors that include an arm and a blade, the arm including an opening and a first notched surface comprising a plurality of notches that extend radially outward from the opening, the blade including a nipple and a second notched surface comprising a plurality of notches that extend radially outward from the nipple. Attaching the blade to the arm such that the notched surfaces mate can secure the blade relative to the arm such that the blade cannot swivel radially about the opening. Certain embodiments provide methods for securing a retractor blade that can include inserting a nipple on a retractor blade into an opening and mating a first notched surface comprising a plurality of notches that extend radially outward from the opening with a second notched surface comprising a plurality of notches that extend radially outward from the nipple.

Abstract: Surgical retractor systems including removable angling devices and methods of use are provided. A surgical retractor system can include a head with an opening, a blade including a nipple, and an angling device including a handle. The nipple can include a first recess that runs circumferentially around an exterior surface of the nipple and terminates at a flange. The opening can be configured to receive the nipple. The nipple can be longer than the opening such that the flange and at least a portion of the recess extend beyond an end of the opening when the blade is attached to the head. The angling device can be configured to receive the flange such that the angling device can be removably attached to the flange. The angling device can be used to manipulate the position of the blade when the angling device is attached to the flange.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide surgical retractors that include an arm and a blade, the arm including an opening and a first notched surface comprising a plurality of notches that extend radially outward from the opening, the blade including a nipple and a second notched surface comprising a plurality of notches that extend radially outward from the nipple. Attaching the blade to the arm such that the notched surfaces mate can secure the blade relative to the arm such that the blade cannot swivel radially about the opening. Certain embodiments provide methods for securing a retractor blade that can include inserting a nipple on a retractor blade into an opening and mating a first notched surface comprising a plurality of notches that extend radially outward from the opening with a second notched surface comprising a plurality of notches that extend radially outward from the nipple.

Abstract: A filter for absorbing odoriferous matter from ambient air has a single body with a line of weakness that extends across at least a portion of the body and divides the filter element into at least two separately usable sub-filters. The line of weakness permits the separation of the single filter element into the sub-filters without the use of a tool. The filter element can be used in combination with varying size air purification units. The filter element can be placed in the filter housing of a large air purifier or after separation the sub-filters can be used in multiple correspondingly sized smaller air purifiers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the selection of location information sources (e.g., position determining equipment sites and handset-based location finding capabilities) to provide location information for a mobile communications unit (e.g., a cellular phone) are disclosed. Embedded within a request for location information on a particular mobile communications unit are one or more specifications regarding the quality of the requested location information. Such specifications is used to determine if any location information sources are able to provide the location information with the desired location information quality. Upon locating a location information source capable of providing the requested location information, the source is invoked to provide the particular location information. Once the location information is provided by the location information source, it is provided to the requesting party.