Patent ID: 7645232

Claim:
A retractor comprising: a proximal portion comprising a first side portion having a first longitudinal edge and a second side portion having a second longitudinal edge, the first and second longitudinal edges each having a length such that when inserted within the patient, at least part of each longitudinal edge extends outside the patient while at least part of each longitudinal edge extends inside the patient, the first and second side portions being movable relative to each other from a first configuration in which the first and second longitudinal edges are positioned in close proximity to each other to a second configuration in which the first and second longitudinal edges are spaced apart by a selected distance, wherein when in the second configuration, a cross-sectional area of said proximal portion is constant along the length of the first and second longitudinal edges; and a distal portion coupled with the proximal portion, the distal portion having an outer surface and an inner surface partially defining a path, said distal portion capable of having an expanded configuration when inserted within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of said path at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said path at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location; wherein the retractor is configured such tat the distal portion is moveable into the expanded configuration while the proximal portion remains in the first configuration.