Did You Know...
...that Kleenex tissue was originally designed to be a gas mask filter? It was developed at the beginning of World War I to replace cotton, which was then in short supply as a surgical dressing.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7931591 | Surgical retractor A surgical retractor includes a pair of parallel arms that are mounted to a toothed crossbar. One of the arms is fixed to one end of the crossbar, while the other arm is movable along the crossbar by means of a pinion. One or both of the arms includes on its upper s... | 04/26/2011 |
| 7883462 | Suture retainer attachment for use with a surgical retractor A suture retainer for use with a surgical instrument comprises a slot defined in the surgical instrument, the slot having a bottom and lateral slot ends. A retainer block comprises a bottom and lateral block ends. The lateral block ends and the lateral slot ends are... | 02/08/2011 |
| 7824332 | Retractor The invention is a sternal retractor comprising a pair of arms each of which includes a downward extending blade, and one of which includes a proximal portion and a distal portion pivotally mounted on the proximal portion, a curved cross bar on which said arms are d... | 11/02/2010 |
| 7507202 | Retractor for performing heart and thorax surgeries A retractor has a rail, a first holding arm protruding from this rail at an angle at a second holding arm extending approximately parallel to the first holding arm. A distance between the two arms being modifiable. At least one functional element is mounted on one o... | 03/24/2009 |
| 7361172 | Ultrasonic device and method for tissue coagulation An ultrasonic surgical device for the coagulation of animal tissue having an ultrasonic applicator and a movable jaw with a jaw surface adjacent the distal portion of the ultrasonic applicator for movement toward the applicator to a closed position at a predefined c... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7338434 | Method and system for organ positioning and stabilization This invention provides a heart positioning device, method and system for positioning, manipulating, holding, grasping, immobilizing and/or stabilizing a heart. The heart positioning device may include a suction head and a shaft with a means for remotely changing th... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7338441 | Superelastic/shape memory tissue stabilizers and surgical instruments A surgical instrument is used for temporary use in a medical procedure in a mammalian body. The surgical instrument is configured to be changed between two shapes upon application of one or both of heating and cooling. The instrument includes a first member, a secon... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7338442 | Crank retractor handle The present invention relates to an apparatus for adapting a non-cylindrical serrated surgical retractor blade handle to the cylindrical bore of a universal joint. The apparatus includes an adaptor housing having a retractor handle passageway, at least a portion of ... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7294103 | Retractor with inflatable blades A surgical retractor is configured to provide surgical access in thoracic surgery, for example through an intercostal incision. The surgical retractor includes at least one inflated or inflatable member to cushion the ribs and surrounding tissue from injury or traum... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7288065 | Access platform for internal mammary dissection An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and a sternal pad interconnected to a blade. The superior blade is preferably pivotally coupled to the spreader member such th... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7270632 | Surgical retractor having lifting capability A surgical retractor includes a pair of small grips that are disposed at the ends of arms that can be moved toward or away from each other. The grips engage and separate the sides of an incision that has been made in a patient. A lifting mechanism that can be attach... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7270670 | Minimally-invasive surgical system utilizing a stabilizer A minimally-invasive anastomosis system includes a suspension that connects an anastomosis tool to a stabilizer. The stabilizer may be rigidly connected to a retractor or other structure that is fixed relative to the patient. The suspension facilitates anastomosis o... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7238155 | Method and apparatus for creating a working opening through an incision In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed surgical methods and apparatus for accessing and stabilizing the heart. The methods and apparatus facilitate access to an anastomosis site, allows various instruments or devices to be maneuvered and secure... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7226451 | Minimally invasive access device and method A device that provides access to a surgical location within a patient has an elongate body that has a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a passage that extends through the elongate body. The elongate body is capable of having... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7220228 | Surgical retractor blade and system In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed surgical methods and apparatus for accessing and stabilizing the heart. The methods and apparatus facilitate access to an anastomosis site, allows various instruments or devices to be maneuvered and secure... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7214186 | Method and device for retractor for microsurgical intermuscular lumbar arthrodesis An instrument useful in performing lumbar arthrodesis with a minimal approach which spares the lumbar muscles from surgical disruption and includes one of two retractor designs having blades angled approximately 90° with respect to each respective retractor handle.... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7201716 | Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue The invention is a method and apparatus for performing beating heart surgery, in which a single articulating arm supports multiple suction pods. Once the suction pods are applied to the heart surface, tightening a cable fixes the arm in place. Then, the suction pods... | 04/10/2007 |
| 7195592 | Surgical retractor apparatus for use with a surgical port An improved surgical retraction apparatus (and corresponding method of operation) includes a plurality of rigid retraction members disposed about a central axis that move radially with respect to the central axis between a closed state and an open state. In the clos... | 03/27/2007 |
| 7192435 | Self centering closure device for septal occlusion The present invention provides an occluder with a plurality of flexible rings that comprise a self centering mechanism to keep the occluder properly centered in a defect. The self centering mechanism is located between the left and right sides of the occluder. Becau... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7189201 | Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue within a patient's body cavity. In one embodiment, the tissue immobil... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7189231 | Electrosurgical methods and apparatus for making precise incisions in body vessels Methods and apparatus employed in surgery involving making precise incisions in vessels of the body, particularly cardiac blood vessels in coronary revascularization procedures conducted on the stopped or beating heart are disclosed. Such incisions are created by ap... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7186215 | Lifting tool for surgical retractors A lifting tool for use with a standard rib or chest retractor device where the tool acts to obliquely lift and spread open an incision, the chest wall and ribs, the tool having a pair of extended hook members disposed generally parallel and co-planarly on a mounting... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7156806 | Stabilized table rail clamp A clamping device which secures a retractor support apparatus to an operating table having a side rail. The clamping device has a first clamping member disposed between a side of the operating table and the side rail. The clamping device also includes a second clamp... | 01/02/2007 |
| 7147599 | Surgical retractor with improved arms A surgical retractor comprising a laterally extending rack having a first arm connected to the rack spaced from a movable second arm connected to the rack. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second arms have first segments connected to the rack connected to ... | 12/12/2006 |
| 7141015 | Expandable and pivotally adjustable surgical retractor A surgical retractor is disclosed comprising first and second arms, each arm having a utility end and a handle end; first and second blades connected to the utility end of the first and second arms, each blade being pivotally adjustable about the longitudinal axis o... | 11/28/2006 |
| 7052457 | Self-retaining retractor A disclosed retraction device for gynecological surgery on a patient comprises, in one embodiment according to the invention, a frame hinged on a handle, the frame comprising a track; and at least one retractor slidably mounted on the track by a jig that does not co... | 05/30/2006 |
| 7048683 | Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissue to thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area wit... | 05/23/2006 |
| 7029472 | Distraction device for the bones of children A distraction device enabling management of the evolving deformation of the trunk of a child during growth. The device is easy to implant on account of its compact shape and includes two rods which can be bent and deformed on the ends thereof and which are mounted o... | 04/18/2006 |
| 7011628 | Methods and devices for minimizing the loss of blood through a severed sternum during cardiac and/or thoracic surgery The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for stanching the effusion of blood from the exposed ends of the sternal halves of an incised sternum during cardiac and/or thoracic surgical procedures. According to an aspect, there is provided a device for sta... | 03/14/2006 |
| 6994669 | Apparatus and method for cardiac surgery The invention provides a stabilizer having a foot to stabilize a patient's heart. The stabilizer has a first foot which is larger than a second foot. The first foot has lateral surfaces which are used to retract other parts of the heart while contact surfaces stabil... | 02/07/2006 |
| 6979291 | Surgical retractor having curved arms A surgical retractor having a lateral rack with two longitudinal arms extending therefrom. At least one of the arms has a curved segment. It is preferable that the curved segment extend at least one third the length of the arm and be concavely oriented toward the op... | 12/27/2005 |
| 6960209 | Electrosurgical methods and apparatus for making precise incisions in body vessels Methods and apparatus employed in surgery involving making precise incisions in vessels of the body, particularly cardiac blood vessels in coronary revascularization procedures conducted on the stopped or beating heart are disclosed. Such incisions are created by ap... | 11/01/2005 |
| 6951538 | Retractor and method for spinal pedicle screw placement To avoid traditional muscle dissection required in the placement of a screw for a pedicle screw fixation, a retractor is provided having a guide of an appropriate length to provide access from the skin surface to the dorsal aspect of the vertebra over the pedicle. T... | 10/04/2005 |
| 6939297 | Apparatus and methods for cardiac surgery The invention provides a stabilizer having a foot to stabilize a patient's heart. The stabilizer has a first foot which is larger than a second foot. The first foot has lateral surfaces which are used to retract other parts of the heart while contact surfaces stabil... | 09/06/2005 |
| 6932764 | Multipurpose circular retractor A multipurpose retractor is disclosed for use in surgical operations. The retractor can also be used as a speculum. The retractor is made from metal plates, springs, strings, hinges, rods and a worm gear system. The retractor can expand from having a very small diam... | 08/23/2005 |
| 6932765 | Apparatus for retaining otherwise hand-held retractors A retractor retaining device retains an otherwise handheld retractor in the retraction position. The device includes a flexible loop that is detachably attached to a retractor support proximate the surgical wound with the loop engaging a proximal end or handle of th... | 08/23/2005 |
| 6929606 | Retractor and method for spinal pedicle screw placement To avoid traditional muscle dissection required in the placement of a screw for a pedicle screw fixation, a retractor is provided having a guide of an appropriate length to provide access from the skin surface to the dorsal aspect of the vertebra over the pedicle. T... | 08/16/2005 |
| 6896654 | Surgical retractor having low-friction actuating means and contoured blade arms A retractor for performing surgery, for instance cardiac surgery on the coronary organs of a patient, which has a driving member to which the surgeon input is applied in the form of a mechanical force or torque, a thoracic structure engaging member which interfaces ... | 05/24/2005 |
| 6730022 | Surgical retractor and tissue stabilization device having an adjustable sled member The present invention relates to surgical retractors and devices for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during a surgical procedure, more particularly to surgical retractors and stabilizing devices used in connection with minimally invasive coronary artery... | 05/04/2004 |
| 6685632 | Surgical instruments for accessing and stabilizing a localized portion of a beating heart Surgical devices for stabilizing the heart which facilitate anastomosis under beating heart conditions. Various instruments or devices may be maneuvered and secured on a retractor device to provide stabilization of the heart. An instrument mount is provid... | 02/03/2004 |
