Retractor system, swivel lock, and surgical retractor blade

A retractor blade connector, comprising:

• a swivel gear comprising a swivel gear port and a rotational axis, wherein the swivel gear engages a retractor blade when an attachment post of the retractor blade is inserted into the swivel gear port;
• a swivel gear detent positioned to selectively engage the swivel gear and prevent the swivel gear and attached retractor blade from rotating about the rotational axis;
• and
• a first plunger movable among at least:
• a locked position in which the first plunger urges the swivel gear detent into engagement with the swivel gear and prevents rotation of the swivel gear and attached retractor blade about the rotational axis;
• an unlocked position in which the first plunger permits the swivel gear and attached retractor blade to rotate past the swivel gear detent;
• a retractor blade detent positioned to selectively engage the attachment post of the retractor blade when the attachment post is inserted through the swivel gear port;
• and
• a second plunger movable between at least a locked position in which the second plunger urges the retractor blade detent into engagement with the attachment post of the retractor blade and prevents withdrawal of the attachment post of the retractor blade when the attachment post is inserted through the swivel gear port.

A retractor system, comprising:

• a retractor arm comprising an elongated member and a retractor blade connector coupled to an end of the elongated member, the retractor blade connector including a swivel gear comprising a swivel gear port and a rotational axis;
• and
• a retractor blade attached to the retractor arm via the swivel gear, the retractor blade comprising a retractor body, an attachment post extending from the retractor body and through the swivel gear port, and a blade extending from the retractor body;
• wherein the retractor blade connector comprises:
• a swivel gear detent positioned to selectively engage the swivel gear and prevent the swivel gear and attached retractor blade from rotating about the rotational axis;
• and
• a first plunger movable among at least a locked position in which the first plunger urges the swivel gear detent into engagement with the swivel gear and prevents rotation of the swivel gear and attached retractor blade about the rotational axis, and an unlocked position in which the first plunger permits the swivel gear and attached retractor blade to rotate past the swivel gear detent;
• a retractor blade detent positioned to selectively engage a groove in the attachment post of the retractor blade;
• and
• a second plunger movable between at least a locked position in which the second plunger urges the retractor blade detent into the groove in the attachment post of the retractor blade and prevents withdrawal of the attachment post of the retractor blade.

A retractor system, comprising:

• a retractor arm comprising an elongated member and a retractor blade connector coupled to an end of the elongated member, the retractor blade connector including a swivel gear comprising a swivel gear port and a rotational axis;
• and
• a retractor blade attached to the retractor arm via the swivel gear, the retractor blade comprising a retractor body, an attachment post extending from the retractor body and through the swivel gear port, and a blade extending from the retractor body;
• wherein the retractor blade connector comprises:
• a swivel gear detent positioned to selectively engage the swivel gear and prevent the swivel gear and attached retractor blade from rotating about the rotational axis;
• and
• a first plunger movable among at least a locked position in which the first plunger urges the swivel gear detent into engagement with the swivel gear and prevents rotation of the swivel gear and attached retractor blade about the rotational axis, and an unlocked position in which the first plunger permits the swivel gear and attached retractor blade to rotate past the swivel gear detent;
• and
• wherein the swivel gear comprises axial teeth that engage teeth of the retractor blade and cause the swivel gear and retractor blade to rotate about the rotation axis in unison.

A retractor system, comprising:

• a retractor arm comprising an elongated member and a retractor blade connector coupled to an end of the elongated member, the retractor blade connector including a swivel gear comprising a swivel gear port and a rotational axis;
• and
• a retractor blade attached to the retractor arm via the swivel gear, the retractor blade comprising a retractor body, an attachment post extending from the retractor body and through the swivel gear port, and a blade extending from the retractor body;
• wherein the retractor blade connector comprises:
• a swivel gear detent positioned to selectively engage the swivel gear and prevent the swivel gear and attached retractor blade from rotating about the rotational axis;
• and
• a first plunger movable among at least a locked position in which the first plunger urges the swivel gear detent into engagement with the swivel gear and prevents rotation of the swivel gear and attached retractor blade about the rotational axis, and an unlocked position in which the first plunger permits the swivel gear and attached retractor blade to rotate past the swivel gear detent;
• and
• wherein the swivel gear comprises a circumferential ring of depressions;
• and
• wherein the swivel gear detent comprises a ball bearing that engages a depression of the swivel gear when the first plunger is in the locked position.