Patent ID: 7909832

Claim:
A surgical method for accessing a location in a patient, comprising: placing an unexpanded retractor through tissue to the location; pivoting a first portion and a second portion of the retractor about an axis disposed between a proximal end and an opposite distal end of the retractor, the first and second portions having a length; expanding the retractor to an expanded configuration; defining a passage through the expanded configuration of the retractor between the proximal end and the distal end of the retractor, the passage being between the first and second portions of the retractor, wherein at least a portion of the passage intersects the axis; maintaining an aperture between the first and second portions while in the expanded configuration; inserting an implant into the passage; observing the implant while in the expanded position through the aperture in the retractor between the first and second portions along a substantial portion of the length of the first and second portions; passing the implant through the passage to the location; unexpanding the retractor before removing the retractor; and removing the retractor from the patient.