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 surgical joint includes a first clamping member for engaging a first support member and a second clamping member for engaging a second support member. The first clamping member includes a clamping bore wherein the first support member is positionable within the clamping bore. The second clamping member includes a socket wherein the second support member is positionable within the socket. A shaft is disposed through the first clamping member and is in communication with the second clamping member. An actuating mechanism is coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first clamping member frictionally engages the first support member and the second clamping member frictionally engages the second support member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use in a surgical site includes a first surface that is positionable within or near the surgical site and has an anti-bacterial coating disposed on the surface. The anti-microbial coating includes anti-microbial particles disposed in a polymer matrix wherein the anti-microbial particles are in sufficient concentration and are positioned to provide an anti-microbial effect at the surgical site. Bacterial growth is also inhibited on the coated surface of the instrument.

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 surgical illumination device and method of using includes a mounting platform attachable to a surgical device and light conducting fibers attached to the platform.

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.

Abstract: A retractor retaining device retains an otherwise hand-held retractor in a retracting position within a surgical wound. The retractor retaining device includes a clamp that is attachable to a retractor support that is positioned about the wound. A retaining plate is attached to the clamp and engages a flexible loop. The flexible loop is detachably attached to the retaining plate for engaging a handle of the hand held retractor such that the hand held retractor is retained in the retracting position.

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 shaft 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 shaft wherein when the force providing mechanism is positionable between a first position with the first and second clamping members being in a nonclamping position and a second position with the first and second clamping members being in a clamping position wherein the first and second sockets constrict to retain the first and second surgical rods in selected positions.

Abstract: A method of performing surgical retraction of flesh includes positioning a patient on a surgical table and making an incision into the flesh of the patient. A retractor support is mounted to the surgical table and positioned proximate the incision with a blade positioned within the incision and having a flexible member attached to the blade. The retractor blade is positioned manually to retract flesh. The flexible member in tension is attached to the retractor support thereby retracting the flesh and exposing the surgical site.

Abstract: A retractor for use in a minimally invasive surgical procedure includes a handle having a blade attached to the handle. The blade includes a flesh retaining portion that attaches to and extends from the handle. A flesh engaging portion extends from the flesh retaining portion where a width of the flesh engaging portion is less than or equal to two centimeters. A tab extends from a distal end of the flesh engaging portion and wherein the tab separates flesh from the surgical site.

Abstract: A method of performing a hip joint surgery on a patient positioned on a surgical table where the hip joint includes a pelvis having an acetabulum, a femur and a femoral ball 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 retractor is positioned within the incision and is manually retracted to retract skin and flesh layers proximate the hip joint. The retractor is secured in a selected position by attaching the retractor to the retractor support.

Abstract: A method of performing a shoulder joint surgery involving a scapula having a glenoid cavity, a humerus and a humeral ball on a surgical table includes mounting a retractor support to the surgical table and positioning the retractor support about the shoulder joint. The skin and flesh layers proximate the shoulder joint are incised and the skin and flesh layers are manually retracted with a retractor. The retractor is secured in a selected position by attaching the retractor to the retractor support.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a surgical retractor comprises a support handle and a surgical retractor holding element pivotally attached to the support handle. A rod engages the retractor holder element at a position spaced from the pivotal attachment to the support handle with the rod being movable thereby pivoting the holding element to move the position of the retractor blade of the surgical retractor.

Abstract: A surgical joint includes a first clamping member for engaging a first support member and a second clamping member for engaging a second support member. The first clamping member includes a clamping bore wherein the first support member is positionable within the clamping bore. The second clamping member includes a socket wherein the second support member is positionable within the socket. A shaft is disposed through the first clamping member and is in communication with the second clamping member. An actuating mechanism is coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first clamping member frictionally engages the first support member and the second clamping member frictionally engages the second support member.

Abstract: An assembly for exchanging retractor support arms within a retractor support clamp. The assembly includes a main body having a surface defining a cavity extending into the main body from a first end. A support arm having an end portion with a substantially complimentary configuration to the surface defining the cavity is positionable within the cavity. A retaining mechanism is disposed about the main body and in communication with the end portion where the retaining mechanism retains the end portion within the main body.