Patent ID: 7691120

Claim:
A method for providing access to a spinal location within a patient, comprising: providing an elongate body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a passage extending therethrough, and a locking element, the locking element actuatable between a disengaged position and an engaged position; making an incision in the patient and inserting the distal portion of the elongate body through the incision and positioning at least a portion of the proximal portion outside the patient and at least a portion of the distal portion inside the patient adjacent the spinal location; actuating said elongate body from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration; and manipulating the locking element from the disengaged position to the engaged position to lock said elongate body in the expanded configuration such that the elongate body is prevented from returning to the contracted configuration while the locking element is in the engaged position, wherein manipulating the locking element includes inserting an instrument into said passage to engage the locking element; wherein the actuating and manipulating steps are independent.