FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[OOOl] Some embodiments of the invention relate to the field of orthopedic surgery. Further, some embodiments of the invention relate to retractor assemblies that are used during surgery such as, for example, hip replacement surgery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many types of surgery are performed on the human body, including hip replacement surgery. During such procedures, it is known to use the retractor assemblies in order to hold soft tissue in a position that permits the position to access the surgical area. In one common practice, a single retractor, or a number of retractors, will each be manually supported by an assistant. In these systems, the assistant will hold the retractor in position, and may apply a force against the soft tissue at the same time. In the case of relatively complex procedures such as hip replacement surgery, it may be necessary to use two or even a larger number of separate retractors, which may necessitate two or more assistants to manually operate the retractors. This may at some times be somewhat cumbersome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A brief summary of various exemplary embodiments is presented.

Some simplifications and omissions may be made in the following summary, which is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the various exemplary embodiments, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Detailed descriptions of a preferred exemplary embodiment adequate to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventive concepts will follow in later sections.

[0004] In various embodiments, a retractor assembly comprises ^: a first clamp adapted to be mounted to a table! a first vertically oriented post supported by the clamp! a first main arm mounted for at least one of angular and lateral movement relative to the first post, and lockable in a selected position! and a tree assembly configured at one end of the second post, the tree assembly comprising at least two accessory arms, with each accessory arm having a first ball joint on a first end thereof, and a pivot lock knob at an immediate portion thereof, and each accessory arm having a second end configured to accept the mounting of a respective retractor to the accessory arm.

[0005] In other various embodiments, a retractor assembly comprises ^: a first main post! a first main arm mounted to the first main post! a fitting disposed at one end of the first main arm! a first accessory arm operatively supported by the fitting and adopted to operatively support a first retractor! a second main arm mounted to the second main post! a second accessory arm operatively supported by the fitting and adopted to operatively support a second retractor! a third main arm mounted to the third main post! and a third accessory arm operatively supported by the fitting and adopted to operatively support a third retractor. [0006] In alternative various embodiments, a retractor assembly comprises: a first main post a first main arm mounted to the first main post; a fitting disposed at one end of the first main arm! a first accessory arm operatively supported by the fitting and adopted to operatively support a first retractor! a second main arm mounted to the second main post; a second accessory arm operatively supported by the fitting and adopted to operatively support a second retractor! a third main arm mounted to the third main post; a third accessory arm operatively supported by the fitting and adopted to operatively support a third retractor! a second main arm mounted to the first main post! and a fourth accessory arm operatively mounted to the second main arm and adapted for supporting a retractor.

[0007] In still other alternative embodiments, a retractor assembly comprises: a second clamp adapted to be mounted to the table! a second vertically oriented post supported by the clamp! a third main arm mounted for at least one of angular and lateral movement relative to the second post, and lockable in a selected position! a J-shaped hook! and a distractor assembly movable linearly with respect to the third main arm, wherein the distractor is adapted to support the J-shaped hook.

[0008] The foregoing objects and advantages of the invention are illustrative of those that can be achieved by the various exemplary embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages which can be realized. Thus, these and other objects and advantages of the various exemplary embodiments will be apparent from the description herein or can be learned from practicing the various exemplary embodiments, both as embodied herein or as modified in view of any variation that may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention resides in the novel methods, arrangements, combinations, and improvements herein shown and described in various exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retractor assembly according to a preferred embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1, taken from a different angle.

[0012] FIG. 4A is a side view of a subassembly of the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 4B is a front view of the assembly of FIG. 4A.

[0014] FIG. 4C is an end view of the subassembly of FIG. 4A.

[0015] FIG. 5A is a side view of a subassembly of the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 5B is a front view of the assembly of FIG. 5A.

[0017] FIG. 5C is a side view of a subassembly of the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 6A is a side view of a subassembly of the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 6A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE

INVENTION

[0020] Some embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numbers refer to like parts thereof. The following description refers to FIGs. 1 through 3 taken together, except that in some instances specific reference will be made to FIGs. 4A through FIGs. 6B.

[OO2I] A retractor assembly 10 is shown for use with an operating table 12. The operating table 12 is the only suitable table such as, for example, an orthopedic table which has a hinged portion to help position the patient. The patient is not illustrated, but can recline on the orthopedic table during surgery. The table 12 has longitudinal rails 14 and 16 as shown. These rails 14 and 16 provide a support for the retractor assembly.

[ΟΟ22] A table clamp 20 is slidably mounted along the rail 14. The table clamp 20 supports a vertical side post 22. A T-post 24 is mounted to the post 22 on a clamp block 30.

[0023] FIGs. 4A and 4C show additional details of the post 22 and the clamp block 30. The clamp block 30 includes a first clamp 32 which can pivot around the post 22, slide longitudinal along the post 22, and also be fixed on the post 22. The clamp block 30 also has a second clamp 34 which can rotate around the axis B. A lever 36 is part of the second clamp 34, so that movement of the lever can compress the clamp block 30, thereby tightening it. The second clamp 34 holds a T-post 24 as will be described below. [0024] Returning to FIGs. 1 through 3, a T-post 24 is supported by the clamp block 30 and can be moved longitudinally within the clamp block 30. The T-post 24 terminates in four quick connect ends 40, 42 and 44 respectively.

[0025] Mounted to the quick connect 40 is a small fixed angle arm 46. The small fixed angle arm 46 terminates on its own quick connect 48. Attached to the quick connect 48 is an accessory arm 50. FIGs. 5A through 5C show further details of an accessory arm 50. This illustration also corresponds to the components of the other accessory arms 60 and 80. Returning to FIGs. 1- 3, the accessory arm 50 includes a connector 52, which connects to the quick connect 48, and which also has a ball and socket joint permitting a range of two-dimensional pivotal motion around the ball. The connector 52 may also include a ball and socket connection. Each ball and socket connection includes a tightening lockdown feature to fix it at a desired angle. The accessory arm 50 also has a pivot 54 which can be locked in position by a handle 56. The accessory arm 50 terminates in a connector 58 which also has a ball turn fitting. This connector 58 is adapted to receive a retractor, such as the illustrated straight hohmann retractor 1000.

[0026] Returning to the T-post 24, an accessory arm 60 is connected to the quick connect 42. This accessory arm 60 includes components 62, 64, 66 and 68 which correspond to items 52, 54, 56 and 58 described above. The accessory arm 64 thus supports a retractor 2000, such as the illustrated femur retractor 2000. [0027] Returning to the T-post 24, connected to the quick connect 44 is a large fixed accessory arm 70 that has at one end in its own quick connect 72, to which is connected another accessory arm 80. This accessory arm 60 includes components 62, 64, 66 and 68 which correspond to items 52, 54, 56 and 58 described above. The accessory arm 64 thus supports a retractor 2000, such as the illustrated femur retractor 2000.

[0028] Also supported on the post 22 by a clamp block 100 is an arm 102. The clamp block 100 is substantially similar in configuration to the clamp block 30. The arm 102 terminates at the ball joint 104 that supports an arm 106. A quick connect 108 leads to an accessory arm 110. The accessory arm 110 includes components 112, 114, 116 and 118 which correspond to components 52, 54, 56 and 58 as described above.

[ΟΟ29] From the above, it will be appreciated that the above-described componentry provides for convenient positioning and locking of up to four retractors, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000. The wide range of degrees of freedom of are presented so that the retractors can be provisioned with a wide range of locations on the table at varying heights, and at varying spatial angles.

Also the arm 102 may be attached to post 222 instead of post 22.

[0030] Mounted to the rail 16 is a table clamp 220 which supports a vertical side post 222. A clamp block 230, similar to the clamp block 30, supports an arm 240. The arm 240 supports a ratcheting or rack and pinion femur distractor assembly 250, which is illustrated in more detail in FIGs. 6A and

6B. As shown in FIGs. 6A and 6B, the femur distractor 250 includes a rack 252 which can be laterally driven by a knob 254 having gear teeth, relative to a slider 256 which is mounted to a clamp 258 which grips the arm 240. A lever 260 compresses the clamp 258 to lock the distractor 250 onto the arm 240. Thus, the hook connection end 262 of the distractor 250 can be moved relative to the arm 240. Since the distractor 250 is arranged in the vertical configuration projecting down from the arm 240, it will be appreciated that rotation of the knob 254 can raise or lower the hook connection 262. The hook connection 262 is adapted to support in a swinging fashion a J-hook 5000. The J-hook 5000 is adapted to support the weight of a femur.

[0031] From the above it will be appreciated that the assembly provides a convenient method for positioning a femur T-hook and for mechanically raising and lowering the J-hook by turning a knob. A ratchet feature may also be incorporated along with or instead of the rack and pinion drive system.

[0032] Retractor 1000 may be a straight hohmann retractor. Retractor

1000 may be used to retract soft tissue or bones. During various stages of an operation, retractor 1000 and/or similar retractors may be mounted to one or more accessory arms to provide constant exposure of the surgical site.

[0033] Retractor 2000 may be a two pronged stout trochanteric retractor.

Retractor 2000 may be placed around the lesser trochanter of the femur.

Retractor 2000 may be used to retract the proximal femur medially.

Retractor 2000 may be secured to post 22 via accessory arm 60 and T-post 24 such that retractor 2000 comes from a direct medial location. [0034] Retractor 3000 may be a smooth stout trochanteric retractor. Retractor 3000 may be placed around the greater trochanter of the femur. In various alternative embodiments, retractor 3000 may be a two pronged stout trochanteric retractor similar to retractor 2000. Retractor 3000 may be used to assist in femoral elevation. Retractor 3000 may be mounted to post 22 via accessory arm 80 and T-post 24 such that retractor 3000 comes from a posterior proximal location. In various alternative embodiments, retractor 300 may be mounted to post 222 via an arm 102 and accessory arm 110. This alternative embodiment may allow retractor 3000 to be used from a lateral, posterior, proximal location.

[0035] Retractor 4000 may be an angled hohmann retractor. Retractor 4000 may be used to retract soft tissue or bones. During various stages of an operation, retractor 4000 and/or similar retractors may be mounted to one or more accessory arms to provide constant exposure of the surgical site.

[0036] FIG. 1 also depicts a wrench 99 which is a movable tool that can be used to secure or release the quick connects. The accessory arm 110 supports an angled hohmann and retractor 4000 as shown.

[0037] Although the various exemplary embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain exemplary aspects thereof, it should be understood that the invention is capable of other embodiments and its details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects. As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, variations and modifications can be affected while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure, description, and figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not in any way limit the invention, which is defined only by the claims.