Patent ID: 8870760

Claim:
An operative dilator adapted for engagement with a device for providing access to a surgical location within a patient comprising: an elongated body having a length spanning the distance above a patient's skin surface at a proximal end portion and juxtaposed a surgical area at a distal end portion and having an upper proximate end and an opposing lower distal end; said elongated body having a central passageway that extends the entire length of said dilator from said upper proximate end to said opposing lower distal end, said elongated body having an outer wall adapted to conform to an inner surface of a retractor device having a similar configuration as said outer wall, said outer wall including a first pair of opposing semi elliptical surfaces spanning the length of said elongated body from said proximal end to said opposing distal end and a second pair of opposing semi elliptical surfaces spanning the length of said elongated body from said proximal end to said opposing distal end, together said first pair of opposing semi elliptical surfaces and said second pair of opposing semi elliptical surfaces forming a contiguous elongated body outer surface.