Patent ID: 7503894

Claim:
A method of illuminating a surgical cavity, the cavity including a first portion and a second portion, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of retractors each having a first portion including a lustrous surface and a second portion including a lackluster surface, wherein each said retractor comprises a curved body, said retractor including a recess, said retractor further comprising: a first retractor portion having a substantially lustrous surface including a buffed metal surface; and a second retractor portion having a substantially lackluster surface including a mass finished metal surface; inserting the first portion of each retractor into the surgical cavity; expanding the cavity with the retractors; transmitting light into the cavity via a light emitting portion of at least one of the retractors; focusing a first amount of light into the first portion of the cavity via the light emitting portion; and dispersing a second amount of light into the second portion of the cavity via the substantially lustrous surfaces of the retractors, wherein said light emitting portion of said retractor comprises a light conduit, said light conduit including a projection releasably engaged with said recess of said retractor, whereby said light conduit is releasably coupled to said retractor.