초록 ▼

A surgical assembly includes a tensioner having a first end and a second end. A tension member extends from the first end of the tensioner. A mounting member is connected to the second end of the tensioner. An arm extends from the first end of the tensioner and includes a series of relatively moveab

A surgical assembly includes a tensioner having a first end and a second end. A tension member extends from the first end of the tensioner. A mounting member is connected to the second end of the tensioner. An arm extends from the first end of the tensioner and includes a series of relatively moveable links that define an axial bore configured for disposal of the tension member. Each link defines a first mating surface and a second mating surface disposed in a configuration such that tensioning of the tension member interlocks the first mating surface with the second mating surface of an adjacent link in the series to selectively fix the links in a selected orientation.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A surgical assembly comprising: a tensioner;an elastic cable coupled to the tensioner; andan arm extending from the tensioner and including a series of relatively moveable links that define an axial bore, the cable extending through the axial bores, each link defining a first mating surface and a

1. A surgical assembly comprising: a tensioner;an elastic cable coupled to the tensioner; andan arm extending from the tensioner and including a series of relatively moveable links that define an axial bore, the cable extending through the axial bores, each link defining a first mating surface and a second mating surface disposed in a configuration such that tensioning of the tension member interlocks the first mating surfaces with the second mating surfaces in the series to selectively fix the links in a selected orientation,wherein a distal one of the links comprises a mating surface configured to interlock with one of the second mating surfaces and an end defining a cavity configured for receiving a surgical instrument, andwherein the distal one of the links comprises a pair of pawls that are pivotable relative to a body of the distal one of the links from a first configuration in which a portion of each of the pawls is positioned within the cavity to a second configuration in which the portions are spaced apart from the cavity. 2. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the pawls are configured for releasably retaining the surgical instrument within the cavity. 3. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first mating surfaces each have a convex configuration and the second mating surfaces each have a concave configuration. 4. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first mating surfaces each have a spherical dome configuration and the second mating surfaces each define a frustro-conical cavity. 5. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the links defines a first frustro-conical cavity, a cylindrical cavity and a second frustro-conical cavity. 6. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the cylindrical cavity is positioned between the frustro-conical cavities. 7. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the first frustro-conical cavity extends through the first mating surface, the first mating surface having a spherical dome configuration, the second frustro-conical cavity having a maximum width that is greater than that of the first frustro-conical cavity. 8. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the tensioner includes a body and a slide relatively movable therefrom, the slide being connected to the body and configured for manipulation for tensioning the cable. 9. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the tensioner further includes a ratchet mechanism connected with the body and the slide, the body being selectively fixable with the ratchet mechanism. 10. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the tensioner further includes a trigger connected with the ratchet mechanism and configured for manipulation to fix and release the body with the ratchet mechanism. 11. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the ratchet mechanism extends from a front surface of the slide and passes through a slot of the body. 12. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the ratchet mechanism is a rack with serrations that engage or mesh with reciprocal grooves in the slot to selectively fix tension of the cable. 13. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising the surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument is a retractor assembly. 14. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the retractor assembly includes a bar having grooves that are inserted into the cavity. 15. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the pawls are disposed within the grooves such that the distal link releasably retains the retractor assembly. 16. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the pawls extends from a first side of the distal link and another one of the pawls extends from an opposite second side of the distal link. 17. A surgical assembly comprising: a tensioner;an elastic cable coupled to the tensioner; andan arm extending from the tensioner and including a series of relatively moveable links that define an axial bore, the cable extending through the axial bores, the links comprising a first link having a spherical configuration and a second link having an elongated cylindrical configuration, the first links each comprising a first mating surface configured to interlock with a reciprocal second mating surface of one of the second links, the first links each comprising a third mating surface opposite the first mating surface configured to interlock with a reciprocal fourth mating surface of one of the second links, the fourth mating surface being positioned opposite the second mating surface,wherein tensioning of the tension member interlocks the mating surfaces in the series to selectively fix the links in a selected orientation, andwherein the tensioner further includes a ratchet mechanism connected with the body and the slide, the body being selectively fixable with the ratchet mechanism, the tensioner further including a trigger connected with the ratchet mechanism and configured for manipulation to fix and release the body with the ratchet mechanism, the ratchet mechanism extending from a front surface of the slide and passing through a slot of the body. 18. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the first links are cannulated balls and the second links each define a first frustro-conical cavity, a cylindrical cavity and a second frustro-conical cavity. 19. A surgical assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein the second frustro-conical cavity defines the second mating surface and the first frustro-conical cavity defines the fourth mating surface. 20. A surgical assembly comprising: a tensioner;an elastic cable coupled to the tensioner; andan arm extending from the tensioner and including a series of relatively moveable links that define an axial bore, the cable extending through the axial bores, each link defining a first mating surface and a second mating surface disposed in a configuration such that tensioning of the tension member interlocks the first mating surfaces with the second mating surfaces in the series to selectively fix the links in a selected orientation, the first mating surfaces each having a spherical dome configuration and the second mating surfaces each defining a frustro-conical cavity,wherein a distal one of the links comprises a mating surface configured to interlock with one of the second mating surfaces and an end defining a cavity configured for receiving a surgical instrument, the distal one of the links comprising a pair of pawls that are pivotable relative to a body of the distal one of the links from a first configuration in which a portion of each of the pawls is positioned within the cavity to a second configuration in which the portions are spaced apart from the cavity,wherein the tensioner further includes a ratchet mechanism connected with the body and the slide, the body being selectively fixable with the ratchet mechanism, the tensioner further including a trigger connected with the ratchet mechanism and configured for manipulation to fix and release the body with the ratchet mechanism, the ratchet mechanism extending from a front surface of the slide and passing through a slot of the body.