Surgical retraction apparatus

An apparatus for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to a patient it is being used on, said apparatus comprising:

• a) a bridge for engaging at least one arm of a surgical retractor, said bridge having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said bridge including a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge for releasably attaching said bridge to said surgical retractor;
• and
• b) a lifting assembly comprising an elevator for applying an upward force to said proximal end of said bridge, whereby when said apparatus is attached to a surgical retractor the lifting assembly pivots said retractor upward about said distal coupling, said elevator including a bridge coupling for attaching said lifting assembly to said proximal end of said bridge, said bridge coupling comprising a rotatable connection for allowing said bridge to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

An apparatus for pivoting a surgical retractor with respect to a patient it is being used on, said apparatus comprising:

• a) a bridge for engaging at least one arm of a surgical retractor, said bridge having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, said bridge including a distal coupling attached to said distal end of said bridge for releasably attaching said bridge to said surgical retractor;
• and
• b) a lifting assembly comprising a base and a frame extending upwardly therefrom having a top and a bottom, and an elevator movably attached to said frame so that it can move between said top and said bottom, said elevator is able to apply an upward force to said proximal end of said bridge, whereby when said device is attached to a surgical retractor the lifting assembly pivots said retractor upward about said distal coupling, said elevator including a bridge coupling for attaching said lifting assembly to proximal end of said bridge, said bridge coupling comprising a rotatable connection for allowing said bridge to rotate about its longitudinal axis.