Patent ID: 7892174
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical retractor for creating an access path between an incision site and a surgical site during a surgical procedure, comprising: a frame having a base member, a cross member, and a pair of generally parallel curved rails extending between said base member and said cross member; a tubular member coupled to said frame and having a first blade portion and a second blade portion, said first and second blade portions capable of relative movement with respect to each other from a first contracted position to an expanded position by movement of at least one of said blade portions along said rails; at least one side plate connectable to at least one of said rails and in a gap between said first and second blade portions when in the expanded position, said side plate including an attachment mechanism for securing said side plate to said rail, the retractor having a securing mechanism for preventing the attachment mechanism from becoming disengaged from said side plate.