Abstract: A first embodiment of a support system for a surgical retractor device includes a pair of vertically extending support members, releasably attachable to a patient support platform, at least one horizontally extending cross bar attached to and supported by the pair of vertically extending support members, and at least one lifting device disposed on the at least one cross bar and attached for retraction to a retractor assembly. The first embodiment may further include a horizontal extension, upon which may be mounted a lifting device. The first embodiment may further include a second cross bar, upon which a second lifting device may be mounted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a low profile support member for a surgical retraction apparatus which includes a support member in which a lower portion of the support member has a rectilinear portion for insertion into an anchoring receptacle; an upper portion of the support member has a first horizontal extension; a splined coupling adaptor connects together the lower and upper portions, in which the splined coupling adaptor includes a splined segment having a key-like splined portion and a lock-like splined portion; and an extender portion having both a vertical extension and a second horizontal extension. The extender portion is mountable on the first horizontal extension.

Abstract: The present invention provides a set of rakes for retraction of the patient's ribs and thoracic region in, e.g., a reoperative midsternotomy surgical procedure, for providing additional support as the surgical cavity is enlarged during the course of dissection of, e.g., the internal mammary artery during its harvest for use in a coronary bypass procedure. The present invention provides as a retraction device a xiphoid rake for providing support to a body portion in a surgical procedure which includes forming a surgical cavity by a xiphoid entry, wherein the xiphoid rake is substantially stronger than conventional retractor rakes and provides a large body-supporting portion for providing greater sternal support as required in the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a support system for a surgical retractor device includes a pair of vertically extending support members, releasably attachable to a patient support platform, at least one horizontally extending cross bar attached to and supported by the pair of vertically extending support members, and at least one lifting device disposed on the at least one cross bar and attached for retraction to a retractor assembly. The first embodiment may further include a horizontal extension, upon which may be mounted a lifting device. The first embodiment may further include a second cross bar, upon which a second lifting device may be mounted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable plate retractor assembly which includes a pivotable mounting plate to which a rake and a cable plate assembly are attached. The length of both the rake and the lifting plate portion of the cable plate assembly is threadably adjustable relative to the mounting plate. A method of retracting a portion of a patient's body adjacent a surgical cavity includes making a first surgical incision, placing a rake in a position for retraction, retracting a first portion of the patient's body with the rake, making a second surgical incision, inserting a first end of a cable with a lifting plate thereon into the surgical cavity, drawing the first end of the cable through the second incision whereby the lifting plate is retained in the patient's body at a second end of the cable, adjusting the position of at least one of the rake and the lifting plate relative to the mounting plate, and retracting a second portion of the patient's body by raising the lifting plate.

Abstract: The present invention includes a set of rakes for use as surgical retractors in a surgical procedure in which the set of rakes includes a progressively longer body-supporting base portion. The present invention further includes a C-shape surgical retraction device including a rake end for lifting a first body portion, a pad end for depressing a second body portion and, e.g., a ring for attaching a lifting device, in which the device is adapted for use in a mid-cab surgical procedure. The present invention provides a set of rib rakes for retraction of the patient's ribs and thoracic region in a mid-cab procedure, in which each retractor rake has a progressively larger body-supporting portion, for providing additional support as the surgical cavity is enlarged during the course of dissection of, e.g., the internal mammary artery during its harvest for use in a coronary bypass procedure.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a support system for a surgical retractor device includes a pair of vertically extending support members, releasably attachable to a patient support platform, at least one horizontally extending cross bar attached to and supported by the pair of vertically extending support members, and at least one lifting device disposed on the at least one cross bar and attached for retraction to a retractor assembly. The first embodiment may further include a horizontal extension, upon which may be mounted a lifting device. The first embodiment may further include a second cross bar, upon which a second lifting device may be mounted.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a surgical retractor includes a Z-shape rake plate, one or more rakes for applying a retractor force to a portion of a patient's body, and pivoting mounting means for mounting the rakes to the rake plate. Means are provided to adjust the extension of the rakes relative to the rake plate, and various connections are provided for connecting the rakes to the rake plate. The rake plate is Z-shape to facilitate placement relative to a surgical cavity of a patient. A method of holding open a surgical cavity includes the placing of rakes relative to the cavity and adjusting the position of the respective rakes relative to the rake plate to thereby retract the portion of the patient's body and provide access to the surgical cavity.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a rake plate, and plural rakes for applying retractor force to a body. The rakes are pivotably mounted to the rake plate, and the length of the rakes may be adjusted relative to the rake plate. Various connections are provided for connecting the rakes to the rake plate. Also, the rake plate is concave to facilitate placement relative to a surgery cavity of a patient. A method of holding open a surgery cavity includes the placing of the rakes relative to the cavity and adjusting the length of the respective rakes.