Patent ID: 7491168

Claim:
A surgical retractor, comprising: a first base component having a first blade coupled thereto and a first connector arm in the form of a ratchet arm extending therefrom, the first connector arm being integrally formed with the first base component; a second base component having a second blade coupled thereto and a second connector arm in the form of a ratchet arm extending therefrom, the second connector arm being integrally formed with the second base component, and the second base component being coupled to the first connector arm for relative motion with respect to the first base component; a third base component having a third blade coupled thereto and a third connector arm extending therefrom, the third connector arm being integrally formed with the third base component, and the third base component being coupled to the second connector arm relative motion with respect to the first base component; the first, second, and third base components being configured to define a major plane and to define an access portal through the major plane through which surgery can be performed; and a fixing mechanism on the second base component for fixing the position of the second base component with respect to the first connector arm and a fixing mechanism on the third base component for fixing the position of the third base component with respect to the second connector arm, the fixing mechanisms on the second and third components comprising a tab for engaging the respective ratchet arms wherein the first and second connector ratchet arms pass through an interior of the second and third base components respectively, and the fixing mechanism tabs engaging the ratchet arms in the interior of the respective base components.