Patent ID: 6340345
Filing Date: 2002-01-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical retractor blade and handle assembly comprising:a surgical retractor blade; a handle; and attaching means for removably attaching the surgical retractor blade to the handle such that the surgical retractor blade moves relative to the handle with more than one degree of freedom by forming a ball and socket joint between the surgical retractor blade and the handle such that the surgical retractor blade moves relative to the handle with at least two degrees of freedom; wherein said attaching means comprises: on the surgical retractor blade, a shaft ending in a ball; and on the handle, a portion with (i) a circular opening for engaging with the ball to define the ball and socket joint and (ii) a slot extending from the circular opening for receiving the shaft for engaging the ball with the opening and disengaging the ball from the opening; and wherein: the slot has a width D1; the shaft has a diameter D2 in a first direction and a diameter D3 in a second direction; and D213.