US 11,806,002 B2
Retractor system and retractor arm with detachable handle
Daniel K. Farley, Traverse City, MI (US)
Assigned to THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC., Traverse City, MI (US)
Filed by Thompson Surgical Instruments, Inc., Traverse City, MI (US)
Filed on Feb. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/163,882.
Prior Publication US 2022/0240915 A1, Aug. 4, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/02 (2006.01); A61B 90/50 (2016.01); A61B 90/57 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/02 (2013.01) [A61B 90/50 (2016.02); A61B 2017/0046 (2013.01); A61B 2090/571 (2016.02)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A retractor system, comprising:
an articulated arm comprising an articulated arm distal end, an articulated arm proximal end, a plurality of arm segments between the articulated arm distal end and the articulated arm proximal end, wherein an arm segment of the plurality of arm segments comprises a permanent handle mount adapted to detachably couple a handle to the articulated arm; and
a retractor connector that extends from the articulated arm distal end, the retractor connector adapted to couple a retractor blade to the articulated arm;
wherein the retractor connector comprises a connector body coupled to the articulated arm and a connector head coupled to the connector body via an adjustable pivot;
wherein the adjustable pivot comprises a worm gear and a worm drive engaged with the worm gear; and
wherein rotation of the worm gear adjusts an angle between the connector body and the connector head.