Abstract: The self-retaining vaginal retractor comprises an inverted-U-shaped slotted base plate. A top and pair of cooperating side vagina retracting blades are selectively, removably and adjustably secured to the base plate. Each blade comprises a curved tongue portion and an integral slotted handle portion. The blades are secured by adjustably tensionable fasteners extending through the slots. The blades are adjustable both horizontally and vertically. An optional bag is selectively removably secured to snap fasteners mounted on the base. The bag comprises a top portion and a pair of side portions coinciding with the base. A lower portion extends downward from the side portions defining a pouch to hold the blades and fasteners, and catch debris and fluid. Preferably, the fastener comprises a carriage bolt indexed to a slot in the base, extending through a slot in a blade handle and a wing nut.

Abstract: A speculum 10 includes a main body 12 with two dialator fingers 14A and 14B that are connected at their respective proximal ends 16A and 16B to the main body 12. A further dialator finger 28 extends between the fingers 14A and 14B and is fixed to the main body 12. An actuator 20 is pivotally coupled to the main body 12. The actuator 20 is formed with a dialator finger 70 that is located between the fingers 14A and 14B and opposite the fixed finger 28. When the actuator 20 is pivoted the finger 70 immediately commences to pivot away from the remaining fingers 14 and 28. After a predetermined degree of pivot, the actuator 20 comes into contact with the inside of fingers 14 near their approximal ends 16 to cause the distal ends of those fingers to move away from each other. Fingers 14A and 14B are hinged about respective canted hinge axis so that when they are abutted by the actuator 20 they move in a combined upward and sideways motion.

Abstract: A tissue retractor with an adjustable center claw. The retractor includes two pivoted retractor arms. An axially and angularly displaceable, spring biased clamping mechanism is positioned on the pivot axis. In a mounting position, a elongated clamping element aligns with a slot in the center claw. When the center claw is positioned and the clamp moves to its clamping position, the elongated clamping member clamps the center claw in position. The counterfacing surfaces of the center claw and the clamping member are toothed to provide a positive one-way ratchet clamp.

Abstract: A speculum (10) includes a main body (12) with two dilator fingers (14A and 14B) that are connected at their respective proximal ends (16A and 16B) to the main body (12). A further dilator finger (28) extends between the fingers (14A and 14B) and is fixed to the main body (12). An actuator (20) is pivotally coupled to the main body (12). The actuator (20) is formed with a dilator finger (70) that is located between the fingers (14A and 14B) and opposite the fixed finger (28). When the actuator (20) is pivoted the finger (70) immediately commences to pivot away from the remaining fingers (14) and (28). After a predetermined degree of pivot, the actuator (20) comes into contact with the inside of fingers (14) near their proximal ends (16) to cause the distal ends of those fingers to move away from each other. Fingers (14A and 14B) are hinged about respective canted hinge axis so that when they are abutted by the actuator (20) they move in a combined upward and sideways motion.

Abstract: A surgical tissue retractor for use in small tissue incisions such as heart valve surgery. The retractor is comprised of a plurality of retractor blades that can be operated simultaneously or at least one or more blades can be operated independently. Right and left retractor blades are mounted on an actuator mechanism that spreads or expands the blades as a rotatable primary actuator knob is rotated. A third retractable arm is mounted for simultaneous operation with the right and left retractor blade or independent operation through a secondary rotatable actuator knob that extends or retracts a threaded shaft attached to the center retractor blade. The retractor includes a housing having a hangar for use of the retractor in conjunction with a larger retractor such as a sternum spreader or rib spreader retractor.

Abstract: An improved single use vaginal speculum with lateral retracting bills is disclosed. Each of the lateral retracting bills is supported on an axially rotatable shaft mounted to a side of the yoke of the lift mechanism which raises the lower bill assembly away from the lower bill and handle member. The lateral bills separate by action of levers which are moved when the upper bill is rotated about its pivot on the yoke. The lift mechanism may be slid along a channel in the handle when a push button is depressed and latched when the push button is released. The observation opening of the vaginal speculum is enlarged and the lateral bills are supported to prevent their obstructing the observation of the user in examining the cervix and vaginal walls. The handle mounted to the lower bill is rotated rearward from a perpendicular and finger indentations are formed around the handle.

Abstract: The present invention provides hingeable side wall support blades integral with any of vaginal speculum parts that operatively lie circumferential to the view of the vagina, whereby the side wall support blades are movable from a collapsed position near the top or bottom blade to an upright position to press back the vaginal walls.

Abstract: A speculum for dilating a body cavity with at least three blades, twice as many supporting members, a rachet mechanism between pairs of directly connected supporting members, and a light source receptacle located on one of the blades with a curved plastic track at the base of the receptacle to transmit light from a removable, commercially available, light source into the cavity created by the speculum. Two of the supporting members, besides helping to move the blades from a closed to an open position and back, can also pivot anteriorly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for carrying out manipulations in the human body, in particular in the uterus. The device includes a hook element provided with at least one hook which is connected via a rod, which is guided in a shaft, to a grip end provided at a proximal end of the device in such a manner that the hook can be pivoted in and out. The invention is distinguished by a glide element which is guided in a sliding manner on the shaft in the longitudinal direction thereof and is provided at its distal end with an approximately bell-shaped expansion.

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: Apparatus for dilating a body cavity comprising at least two elongate elements positioned in generally side-by-side relationship. The elongate elements are movable laterally with respect to each other between a contracted condition wherein first end sections of the elongate elements are closely adjacent one another for insertion into the body cavity, and an expanded condition wherein the first end sections of the elongate elements are circumferentially spaced apart for dilating the body cavity. The elongate elements are arranged to normally occupy the contracted condition, and a control device is provided for selectively moving the elongate elements from the contracted condition to the expanded condition.

Abstract: A self-retaining hand-held surgical retractor includes a main pair of blades mounted to a pair of fulcrumed levers. The proximal ends of two longitudinally extending bars are mounted to a toggle link carried between the handles. The bars pass through arms projecting from the levers above the plane containing the levers. A pair of supplemental blades are mounted to the bars. Closing the handles directly causes both the main pair of blades and the supplemental pair of blades to recede from each other, and also causes the supplemental pair of blades to move rearwardly from the main pair of blades through the action of the toggle link.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a handle having a first blade fixed thereto and extending outwardly therefrom. A blade housing is pivotally mounted to the handle having a second blade fixed thereto spaced from the first blade and extending outwardly therefrom. A pair of levers are pivotally mounted to the handle, each of the levers having a blade normally disposed adjacent each other and between the first and second blades. The blade housing has an open area therethrough whereby, when the first blade is pivoted away from the second blade, the blades on the levers move apart from each other to a position generally vertical with respect to the first and second blades and a surgical instrument can be inserted through the open area between the spread apart blades.

Abstract: A retractor for placement proximate an incision for holding back the edges of the incision, the retractor comprising a pair of substantially elongate retractor portions having outer substantially irregular edges formed along substantially the entire length thereof for engaging and holding back the opposing edges of an incision, and an expansion assembly coupled to the retractor portions for moving the retractor portions between a collapsed position and an expanded position.

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: A cylindrical anal retractor for examining the inside of an anus of a living body including an inserting valve portion inside of which a substantially circular-shaped opening is formed, a handle which serves to dilate the opening by gripping it, and an auxiliary appliance for making the insertion of the inserting valve portion into the anus smooth; the trivalve inserting portion has three plate-like members, which are curved inside, and two of the members are connected to the handle so as to be rotatable about axes extended in an inserting direction of the inserting valve portion. In the anal retractor according to the present invention, therefore, the pain which is given to the patient when the anal retractor is inserted into his or her anus is remarkably reduced.

Abstract: A four blade medical retractor for holding open a body or surgical cavity. A first blade is fixedly mounted to the first leg of an L-shaped frame. A second blade is slidably mounted to the second leg of the frame and includes a spring biased pawl to control motion of the second blade relative to the first blade. A third blade is slidably mounted to the first leg and also includes a pawl to control motion of the third blade along the first leg. A carrier mounted to the second leg holds a fourth blade which is movable both along the length of the second leg and also to and from the third blade.

Abstract: A speculum having a dilator for insertion into a body cavity of a patient and an opening mechanism for opening the dilator to dilate the body cavity. The dilator has at least two dilator blade members which are pivotal. The opening mechanism consists of a collar which is rotatable to contact and bear against the blade members. This causes the blade members to pivot and move apart, thereby opening the dilator. This results in the body cavity of the patient being dilated which allows for easy examination thereof.

Abstract: A speculum for dilating a body cavity includes a base and a number of arms pivotably attached to the base. There is an actuator movably attached to the base for causing each of the arms to move relative to each other from a closed position to an opened position so that a body cavity can be smoothly opened after the arms have been inserted into the body cavity.