Patent ID: 7264589
Filing Date: 2007-09-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of performing a joint replacement surgery on a patient, the method comprising: positioning the patient on the surgical table in a selected position; making an incision in the patient about the joint to be surgically repaired; mounting a retractor support apparatus to the operating table; positioning the retractor support apparatus about the incision; mounting at least one flesh engaging retractor to the retractor support apparatus wherein the flesh engaging retractor engages the flesh of the patient and exposes the joint to be surgically repaired; mounting a retractor to the retractor support apparatus wherein a retractor blade of the retractor engages and dislocates a first bone from a second bone of the joint to be surgically repaired; and displacing the first bone from the second bone of the joint to be surgically repaired such that the surgical procedure can be performed on either the first bone or the second bone or both the first and second bones.