Retractor system and side load connector for surgical retractor blade

A retractor system, comprising:

• a self-retaining retractor comprising a crossbar and a retractor arm comprising a proximal end coupled to the crossbar via a ratchet;
• a retractor blade comprising a retractor body, an attachment post extending from the retractor body, and a blade extending from the retractor body;
• and
• a side-load connector coupled to the retractor arm, the side-load connector comprising a connector upper surface, a connector lower surface, connector sidewalls adjoining the connector upper surface and the connector lower surface, and a lock comprising a push button, one or more bearings, and a second spring configured to apply a second biasing force that biases the lock toward a locked position;
• wherein a port passes through the connector upper surface and the connector lower surface;
• wherein an opening in the connector sidewalls permits loading of the attachment post by permitting lateral passage of the attachment post into the port;
• wherein a cam of the side-load connector is pivotably coupled between the connector lower surface and the connector upper surface;
• and
• wherein a spring applies a biasing force on the cam that biases the cam to a closed position in which the cam extends into the opening and prevents unloading the attachment post from the port via the opening;
• wherein, when in the locked position, the lock engages a groove of the attachment post loaded in the port and prevents longitudinally sliding the attachment post along the port in a direction away from the connector lower surface;
• wherein the push button has a ramped recess positioned to receive a bearing of the one or more bearings, the push button movable between a locked position in which a shallower portion of the ramped recess aligns with the bearing and a released position in which a deeper portion of the ramped recess aligns with the bearing;
• wherein the second spring is configured to bias the push button to the locked position causing the shallower portion to press against the bearing and urge the one or more bearings to engage the groove of the attachment post loaded in the port;
• and
• wherein the push button, when in the released position, aligns the deeper portion with the bearing, permitting the one or more bearings to disengage from the groove of the attachment post loaded in the port.