Codman & Shurtleff, Inc.

Johnson & Johnson Professional, Inc.

Rene J Cabrera

John R Bookwalter

Kenneth R Hayes

George W Guay

Wesley C Walker

Thomas W Eagar

John J McMorrow

Kyle S Moore

Nelson P Torres

Francisco A Amaral

Joseph L Chaudoin

Thomas W Eager

John J Amaral

A three-dimensional tilt ratchet mechanism that is able to rotate, pivot, and bend forwards or backwards with ease is provided. The mechanism includes a device for multi-dimensional movement and placement of a retractor blade which comprises a first member adapted to receive a stem of a retractor blade. The first member has a locking mechanism effective to enable selective lateral adjustment of the retractor blade relative to the first member. Also provided is a second member to which the first member is mated. The first member is vertically pivotable with respect to the second member to enable selective vertical pivoting adjustment of the retractor blade relative to the second member. A rotator indexing body is mated to the second member and is adapted to mount onto a rim of a surgical support. The second member is rotatable with respect to the rotator indexing body such that the first member, the second member and the retractor blade are able to selectively rotate about the longitudinal axis of the rotator indexing body.

Three-dimensional tilt ratchet mechanism

A retractor systems includes a retractor blade with a blade portion and a handle portion that fit together in a modular way to allow different blades to be removably and interchangeably affixed to the handle assembly. A dovetail mounts the blade in a plane substantially transverse or perpendicular to the shaft. Preferably, the handle assembly translates within a multi-position locking mechanism to allow adjustment of the handle extension along one or more axes, while the in-plane swing of the blade about the shaft conveniently positions the tip of the blade under tissue to be retracted when bone or hard tissue may impede access along a retraction direction parallel to the axis of the shaft. The interchangeable blades may have different sizes between approximately 5 and 15 centimeters length, and are manually affixed to the handle to set the reach and scope of the retractor for a particular operation. Preferably a blade is formed of a radiolucent polymer, permitting unobstructed imaging when the retractor is occluded during surgery on a joint, or during an anterior approach to the spine. The blade may be formed with its surface dished or curved in one or more directions, or may have a lip or flare adapted for a contacting or retracting a particular tissue or structure. The surface of the blade swings down to engage muscle along a path substantially tangent to a hard tissue structure or bone from which the tissue is to be retracted.

Surgical retractor assembly

A retractor blade mounts on a shaft having a controlled degree of rotation and swings down to grip and retract tissue from bone or a hard tissue structure. The retractor blade includes a blade portion and a handle portion which may be integrally joined or may fit together in a modular way to allow different blades to be removably and interchangeably affixed to the handle assembly. A dovetail may mount the blade in a plane substantially transverse or perpendicular to the shaft. The shaft translates within a multi-position locking mechanism to allow adjustment of the handle extension along one or more axes, while the in-plane swing of the blade about the shaft conveniently positions the tip of the blade under tissue to be retracted when bone or hard tissue impedes access along the retraction direction parallel to the axis of the shaft. The retractor handle has a regular cross-section with one or more protruding lobes or ridges extending along the axial direction such that the edge-to-edge diameter of the handle varies with angular position about the axis, and peaks at one or more lobes or opposed pairs of lobes so that the ridges jam by interference against the walls of a channel in a clamping assembly. Preferably the blade is formed of a radiolucent polymer and may have its surface dished or curved in one or more directions, or may have a lip or flare adapted for contacting or retracting a particular tissue or structure.

Surgical retractor assembly with controlled rotation

A retractor blade having a generally 'S' shaped configuration in cross section. The blade is pivotally attached to a rod which may be connected to a table fixed ring retractor. The central portion of the blade moves tissue away from the operative site when the distal end of the blade is placed against a bone and the rod is moved away from the operative site.

Orthopaedic retractor blade

A multi-position ratchet mechanism for holding a surgical retractor blade which permits a retractor blade to be rotated into the wound and retracted at the same time to duplicate the natural 'toe-in' method of retraction achieved with the hand. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet holder to which is pivotally attached a ratchet pivot housing. The retractor blade is mounted in an opening projecting through ratchet pivot housing and held in position by a retractor pawl attached to the ratchet pivot housing. The ratchet pivot housing also has a curved ratchet which depends into a cooperating slot in the ratchet holder and engages a ratchet release bar which is mounted on the ratchet holder and spring biased into the ratchet slot. One end of ratchet release bar is positioned under an actuating surface of the retractor pawl. The application of pressure on the actuating surface will release both ratchets to allow adjustment of the retractor blade.

Multi-position ratchet mechanism

A surgical tool for intercepting laser energy after it has energized a target site but before it energizes adjacent tissue. The instrument includes substrate of material having a high thermal conductivity for transmitting laser energy away from the surgical site and a highly absorbent surface material for absorbing radiant energy at the wavelength of the incident laser.

Laser instrument

A quick-release ratcheting holder for a surgical retractor which includes a spring detent to keep the holder from coming off the ring member when the retractor is relaxed.

Growing community of inventors

Stoughton, MA, United States of America

Rene J Cabrera