Patent ID: 7766825

Claim:
A method for treating bone comprising: providing a surgical retractor comprising: a handle having a longitudinal axis, proximal and distal ends, and a longitudinally elongated outer surface for being held by an operator, wherein the handle defines an enclosed perimeter of an opening; a first coupling mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the handle, wherein the first coupling mechanism comprises a knob having a threaded axial bore, wherein the knob is disposed within the opening and the knob is rotatable in the opening about the longitudinal axis of the handle; and a blade member having a proximal end and a distal end, and a threaded coupling element configured and dimensioned to be received in the threaded axial bore of the knob; a second coupling mechanism disposed on a backside of the handle proximate the proximal end of the handle; attaching an endoscope to the second coupling mechanism and positioning the endoscope with respect to the blade member for viewing a surgical site; making an incision in soft tissue and elevating the soft tissue fascia off a bone segment proximate the surgical site; passing a portion of the blade member through the incision; retracting the fascia off the bone segment with the blade member to form a cavity; circumventing at least in part a bone segment with a portion of the blade member; stabilizing the blade member on the bone segment; viewing the bone segment through the endoscope; and performing a surgical procedure proximate the bone segment.