Patent ID: 7150714

Claim:
A minimally invasive surgical exposure system, comprising: a support frame having opposing horizontally oriented sides, the sides being arranged to lie in a common plane generally perpendicular to one another in use, at least selected ones of the sides of the support frame being provided with holding fixtures for engaging a retractor blade; at least one retractor blade having a fastening element which is engageable with a selected holding fixture of the support frame, the at least one retractor blade having a substantially elongate, planar body portion having a length which extends in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the support frame when in use; the planar body portion of the retractor blade defining within the blade at least one visualization channel including an upper extent and a lower extent, the visualization channel enclosed within the blade from the upper extent to the lower extent, the lower extent being located proximate a site within a surgical portal when in use; a light source being incorporated integrally with the blade, the light source being located in communication with the visualization channel for illuminating the site; and wherein a power source is also incorporated integrally with the blade for powering the light source.