Patent ID: 7033369

Claim:
A system for providing minimally invasive access to the spine of a patient, said system comprising: an elongate body having a distal end, a proximal end, an outer surface, and an inner surface, said inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body through which instruments can be inserted to a surgical location, said elongate body having a first configuration for insertion into the patient, and a second configuration for increasing access to the surgical location, wherein in the second configuration, the inner surface defines a cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location that is greater than a cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location, the first location being distal to the second location; and an expander comprising a first elongate member and a second elongate member pivotably coupled with the first elongate member, and a proximal end, the expander configured to be inserted into the passage and to be actuated from the proximal end such that the first and second elongate members engage the inner surface adjacent the distal end to cause opposing portions of the distal end of the elongate body to be moved transversely to increase access to the surgical location.