Patent ID: 8062218

Claim:
A surgical access instrument comprising: a flexarm retractor comprising: a base, a first retractor appendage coupled to the base wherein the first retractor appendage has a length and lateral sides along its length, a flexible arm coupled to the base at a proximal end of the flexible arm such that a distal end of the flexible arm is movable relative to the base, and a second retractor appendage coupled to the flexible arm at the distal end of the flexible arm wherein the second retractor appendage has a length and lateral sides along its length; and a transverse retractor coupled to the base of the flexarm retractor comprising: an assembly comprising: a frame, a threaded shaft rotatably coupled with the frame, a first carriage coupled with the threaded shaft that is configured to translate along the threaded shaft when the shaft is turned, and a second carriage coupled with the threaded shaft that is configured to translate along the threaded shaft when the shaft is turned, a first transverse retractor appendage coupled with the first carriage, wherein the first retractor appendage has a length and lateral sides along its length, and a second transverse retractor appendage coupled with the second carriage, wherein the second retractor appendage has a length and lateral sides along its length; wherein the first retractor appendage, the second retractor appendage, the first transverse retractor appendage, and the second transverse retractor appendage are configured to be aligned substantially along their respective lengths and an access portal to the surgical site is formed among a lateral side of the first retractor appendage, a lateral side of the second retractor appendage, a lateral side of the first transverse retractor appendage, and a lateral side of the second transverse retractor appendage; wherein a first portion of the threaded shaft that is coupled with the first carriage has right-hand threads and a second portion of the threaded shaft that is coupled with the second carriage has left-hand threads such that rotation of the threaded shaft in a first rotational direction causes the first and second transverse retractor appendages to move together simultaneously and rotation of the threaded shaft in a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction causes the first and second transverse retractor appendages to move apart simultaneously; wherein the threaded shaft comprises a central shaft on a common axis with and disposed through the first portion of the threaded shaft and the second portion of the threaded shaft, and wherein the first portion of the threaded shaft and the second portion of the threaded shaft are separate pieces; wherein the central shaft may be translated along the common axis relative to the first portion of the threaded shaft and the second portion of the threaded shaft; and wherein translating the central shaft in a first direction results in the central shaft being rotationally disengaged from the second portion of the threaded shaft.