Patent ID: 8100828

Claim:
A surgical instrumentation system to provide a surgical approach to a patient's spine, comprising: a frame including multiple portions lying in at least one plane; wherein said frame includes a first portion lying in a first plane and a second portion lying in a second plane that is transversely oriented to the first plane; and a plurality of retractors attachable to said frame portions, each of said retractors including a blade portion extending transversely to said at least one plane when attached thereto, said blade portion including a tissue contacting surface adapted to contact and retract tissue from the surgical approach; wherein one or more of said retractors is attachable to said first portion and one or more of said retractors is attachable to said second portion; and at least one adjustment mechanism engageable with at least one of said retractors, wherein said at least one adjustment mechanism includes a shaft within a securement device pivotally coupled with said at least one of said retractors at a pivoting coupling location adjacent a proximal end of said at least one of said retractors, said pivoting coupling location toward said frame portions and said securement device movable along said frame portions, the securement clamping device operable to engage said adjustment mechanism to said frame portions; wherein said adjustment mechanisms each include: an adjustment handle; a shaft assembly extending from said adjustment handle and including said shaft and an engagement member at an end of said shaft assembly opposite said adjustment handle; wherein said shaft assembly includes an outer shaft and an inner shaft movably positioned within said outer shaft, said engagement member extending from a distal end of said inner shaft; wherein said adjustment mechanism includes a pair of plates at a distal end thereof, and each of said retractor includes a pair of proximal flanges pivotally coupled to said pair of plates.