Patent ID: 7588537

Claim:
A connector that retains a surgical retractor, the connector comprising: a body member having a top surface and an opening shaped and sized to receive a nipple of a retractor blade; a retainer pivotally attached to the body member between an open position and a closed position; a lock mechanism, disposed on the retainer, that is shaped to lock the retainer in the closed position, wherein the nipple of the retractor blade is locked in the connector, the lock mechanism comprising a push button including a base at least partially residing within the retainer; and a safety latch pivotally mounted to the top surface of the body member that constrains the lock mechanism when the retainer is in the closed position, the safety latch comprising a shoulder that slides into a recess between the push button of the lock mechanism and the top surface of the body member to constrain the lock mechanism in place while the retainer is in the closed position.