Multi-position spherical retractor holder

A device for securing a retractor to a rectangular cross-sectional support arm, the retractor having a handle and a blade, the device comprising:

• a housing comprising a main member and a retaining member, the retaining member being operably attached to the main member wherein the main member and the retaining member cooperate to engage the support arm and wherein the main member further comprises a spheroidal member retaining portion wherein the spheroidal member retaining portion is of a unitary construction;
• a spheroidal member disposed within the spheroidal member retaining portion such that the spheroidal member retaining portion contacts a substantially complete circumference of the spheroidal member, the spheroidal portion being captivated therein, the spheroidal member having a through bore, the through bore adapted to engage the handle of the retractor;
• and
• a tightening mechanism operably attached to the main member and in communication with the retaining member wherein the tightening mechanism is positionable between a first position wherein the housing is movable on the support arm and a second position wherein the tightening mechanism causes a first frictional engagement between the retaining member and the main member with the support arm such that the housing is fixed in a first selected position.

A clamp for use in a retractor support system, the retractor support system having first and second retractor support members, the clamp comprising:

• a spheroidal body attached to the first retractor support member;
• a housing wherein a portion of the housing of unitary construction continuously surrounds the spheroidal body along at least one circumferential plane and rotatably captivates the spheroidal body, the housing attachable to the second retractor support member;
• and
• a mechanism for bending the portion of the housing surrounding the spheroidal member such that the portion of the housing frictionally engages the spheroidal body sufficiently to retain the spheroidal body in a first selected position.

A method of positioning a retractor blade in three dimensions within a surgical site, the retractor blade having a retractor handle operably attached thereto, the retractor handle operably attached to a retractor holder, the method comprising:

• disposing the retractor holder on a support member, the retractor holder having a spheroidal member rotatably attached to a main body of the retractor holder wherein the main body contacts a substantially complete circumference of the spheroidal member;
• disposing the retractor handle through a through bore in the spheroidal member;
• rotating the spheroidal member to adjust a vertical position and a horizontal position of the retractor blade;
• and
• adjusting a depth of the retractor blade by manipulating the retractor handle through the through bore in the spheroidal member.

A method of adjusting a position of a retractor blade within a surgical site, the method comprising:

• disposing a retractor handle, the retractor handle operably attached to the retractor blade, through a through bore disposed through a spheroidal member, the spheroidal member rotatably attached to a main body of a retractor holder;
• adjusting a horizontal position and vertical position of the retractor blade by rotating the spheroidal member within the main body of the retractor holder;
• and
• adjusting a depth of the retractor blade by manipulating a position of the retractor handle within the through bore disposed in the spheroidal member.

A device for securing a retractor, to a rectangular cross-sectional support arm, the retractor having a handle and a blade, the device comprising:

• a housing comprising a main member and a retaining member, the retaining member being operably attached to the main member wherein the main member and the retaining member cooperate to engage the support arm and wherein the main member further comprises a spheroidal member retaining portion including a surface for frictional engagement;
• a spheroidal member disposed within the surface for frictional engagement within the spheroidal member retaining portion, the spheroidal portion being rotatably captivated therein, the spheroidal member having a through bore, the through bore adapted to engage the handle of the retractor;
• and
• a tightening mechanism operably attached to the main member and in communication with the spheroidal member retaining portion and in communication with the retaining member wherein the tightening mechanism is positionable between a first position wherein the spheroidal member is rotatable within the spheroidal member retaining portion and a second position wherein the tightening mechanism causes the surface for frictional engagement to bend sufficiently such that the spheroidal member is frictionally retained in a first selected position.

A device for securing a retractor to a rectangular cross-sectional support arm, the retractor having a handle and a blade, the device comprising:

• a housing comprising a main member and a retaining member, the retaining member being operably attached to the main member wherein the main member and the retaining member cooperate to engage the support arm and wherein the main member further comprises a spheroidal member retaining portion comprising a surface defining an aperture wherein the surface defining the aperture includes a substantially uninterrupted circumference;
• a spheroidal member disposed within the surface defining the spheroidal member retaining portion, the spheroidal portion being rotatably captivated therein, the spheroidal member having a through bore, the through bore adapted to engage the handle of the retractor;
• and
• a tightening mechanism operably attached to the main and in communication with the spheroidal member retaining portion wherein the tightening mechanism is positionable between a first position wherein the spheroidal member is rotatable within the spheroidal member retaining portion and a second position wherein the tightening mechanism causes a first frictional engagement of a substantially complete circumference of the spheroidal member with the spheroidal member retaining portion of the main member such that the spheroidal member is fixed in a first selected position by bending the spheroidal member retaining portion.