Patent ID: 8360971

Claim:
A surgical retractor system comprising: a head with an opening, wherein the head is linearly movable along a support in a direction along a first axis and rotatable about a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis; a blade comprising a nipple including a recess that runs circumferentially around an exterior surface of the nipple and terminates at a flange, wherein the opening is configured to receive the nipple, and wherein the nipple is longer than the opening such that the flange extends beyond an end of the opening when the blade is attached to the head; an actuator configured to move the head linearly along the first axis, wherein the linear movement causes rotational movement of the head about the second axis; an angling device comprising a handle, the angling device configured to receive the nipple; a first securement engaging the nipple to releasably secure the blade to the angling device; and a second securement disposed between the head and the blade, wherein the second securement allows releasable rotation of the blade with respect to the head about a third axis that is generally perpendicular to both the first axis and the second axis, wherein rotation of the blade about the third axis is facilitated through rotation of the angling device.