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: 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: 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.