Abstract: A tissue retractor with particular use in spinal surgery comprises a pair of pivotally linked arms, each with a blade mounted thereto by a ball and socket joint to allow the blades free movement relative to the arms. The blades have anchoring end to anchor to bone, which preferably are sharp piercing tips. The balls and the sockets are preferably detachable from each other. The retractor is operable by placing the blades in a wound opening; securing the anchoring ends to a portion of bone at positions a distance apart from each other to define a desired surgical field; and operating the retractor to cause the blades to separate and to retract tissues surrounding said wound opening by outward pivoting of the blades relative to the position of the anchoring ends. A supplemental retractor blade or blades may be provided by a linking armature for additional retraction generally perpendicularly to a retraction action provided by the main retractor blades.

Abstract: The illuminated iris retractor probe system is a medical device for use in ophthalmic surgery, particularly anterior segment and posterior segment surgery where visualization of ocular structures is required. The device utilizes a handpiece to support a 23-gauge sheathed fiber optic element that transmits the illumination. The 23-gauge dimension of the sheathed fiber optic element allows it to be inserted through self-sealing incisions of 1.5-2.0 mm in size in the peripheral cornea, thereby allowing the incision to be self-sealing and thus avoiding the operative intervention and postoperative complications of sutures. The tip of the illuminated iris retractor probe has a backward bend or hook whose peripheral end is flush with the illumination end of a fiber optic element which is surrounded by a metal sheath. The specific angle of the hook and its location allows the probe to retract the iris during anterior segment procedures.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for expanding a perivascular cavity at a surgical site includes an elongated retractor having a tip at the distal end for convenient insertion into a perivascular cavity, and having a slidable coupler near the proximal end for convenient coupling to an elevator element supported in a retractor frame. The elongated retractor supports an endoscope thereon to facilitate visualization of surrounding tissue during insertion into the perivascular cavity. With the retractor inserted in the cavity, the retractor frame is positioned on the skin in alignment with and straddling the cavity, and the elevator element is selectively coupled to the retractor to elevate the retractor relative to the base of the retractor frame, thereby to expand or distend the cavity to provide ample access to tissues and vessels for surgical manipulations within the cavity.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes an elongated elastic member having first and second end portions. A retractor hook portion is connected to the first end portion of the elastic member. The second end of the elastic member has a receptacle for connecting a pair of jaws thereto. A pair of jaws is provided, each being mounted to the elastic member at the receptacle. A jaw closing member is provided for urging the jaws to clamp together in a "closed" position. Two sockets are provided in the receptacle, each of the sockets accepting one of the jaws. A portion of the elastic member is positioned in between the two jaws to provide elasticity that urges the jaws to clamp the jaw together.

Abstract: An improved surgical retractor stay has an integrally formed handle body and elongated elastic member with a tail that can engage a slot of a retractor. The improved construction preferably includes an injection molded one piece handle and elongated member so that void spaces are eliminated. A wire hook member includes multiple folded sections that are encapsulated by the handle (e.g., during injection molding of the handle about the hook member). An exposed portion of the hook member extends beyond the distal tip of the handle body and provides a sharp end portion that is used to engage selected body tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in surgery includes an instrument body having a middle portion and first and second ends. The instrument body is S-shaped along its length, with the middle portion being straight. At least one of the first or second ends is serrated for use in dissection of tissue.

Abstract: In a surgical retractor having a frame on which at least two retractor elements are mounted, if desired, so as to be displaceable, to enable individual adjustment of the forces exerted by the retractor elements on the surrounding tissue, it is proposed that the frame have at least one support foot which carries attachment means for fixing on a bone.

Abstract: A retractor apparatus for use in conducting a surgical operation through an incision in a patient. The retractor includes a retractor support, a plurality of surgical retractors, and a stretchable sleeve. The surgical retractors are mounted to the retractor support such that at least two of the surgical retractors are facing each other. The stretchable sleeve encircles the surgical retractors to form a continuous surface around the surgical retractors for engagement of tissue.

Abstract: An elevator device for an abdominal wall in videolaparoscopic surgical operations is provided, which comprises mechanical elements (8) for tensioning an abdominal wall (10) and movement means (2) for the mechanical tensioning elements (8), in which the mechanical tensioning elements (8) are embodied by shaped needles having sharpened ends (14a) adapted to be introduced into the subcutaneous tissue (9) of the abdominal wall (10), and in which the movement means (2) comprises raising members (6) and spacing members (28) to move the shaped needles (8) away from each other, adapted to carry out raising of the abdominal wall (10) and tensioning of same transversally of said raising.

Abstract: A guide for a cannula extending through a tissue and into a cavity in which a surgical procedure is to be performed. The guide has first and second plates cooperatively defining a through passageway for a cannula. Structure connects between the first and second plates to allow selective altering of the relative positions of the first and second plates to thereby change the configuration of the through passageway defined cooperatively between the first and second plates. A conversion unit can be used to draw the plates away from each other to enlarge an incision into which the first and second plates extend.

Abstract: A surgical retractor and method for use thereof. The retractor is comprised of an elongate shaft having at one end a screw made of coiled, round wire which terminates at a sharp point for attachment to an organ and a connector at the other end of the shaft. Preferably, the connector comprises an enlarged portion having a polygonal cross section for engagement by a wrench. The retractor is inserted into the peritoneal cavity of a patient through a laparoscopic port and the screw is threaded into the wall of the organ to be retracted, for example, the gallbladder. The organ is resected and thereafter drawn out of the cavity using the retractor.

Abstract: A retractor for use in invasive surgery. The retractor includes a superelastic or shape memory alloy shaft having proximal and distal ends. A handle is attached to the proximal end, while the distal end has a shape trained into it adapted to grasp animal tissue. The distal end is designed to release at an amount of force lower than that which would cause tissue damage. Thus, should excessive force inadvertently be applied, the retractor will safely release before tissue damage occurs. A further advantage of the retractor is its ability to safely maintain retraction from a more remote location.

Abstract: A surgical retractor and method for use thereof. The retractor is comprised of an elongate shaft having at one end a screw made of coiled, round wire which terminates at a sharp point for attachment to an organ and a connector at the other end of the shaft. Preferably, the connector comprises an enlarged portion having a polygonal cross section for engagement by a wrench. The retractor is inserted into the peritoneal cavity of a patient through a laparoscopic port and the screw is threaded into the wall of the organ to be retracted, for example, the gallbladder. The organ is resected and thereafter drawn out of the cavity using the retractor.

Abstract: An openable retractor for use in an operation wound/surgical incision in the region of a patient's spine. The retractor includes two mutually-hinged halves (2, 4), each of which comprises an upper hinge part (6, 6') which, on the side thereof remote from the hinge, merges with a downwardly-extending shaft (8) at a radial distance from the hinge axis or its extension, a wound widening and restraining part (10) which projects laterally from the lower part of the shaft in a direction away from the hinge axis and which is intended for engagement with muscle tissue on one side of the operation wound, and a latching device (68) which is intended to be applied in the region of the hinge formed by the hinge parts (6, 6') of respective retractor halves and which functions to lock the retractor halves in an outwardly angled active position (functional position).