Patent ID: 7976463

Claim:
An instrument for positioning at least one retractor blade in an incision, comprising: a length adjustable arm including a link member having a first end engageable with an instrument and an opposite second end; a blade holder extending from said second end and movably coupled with said link member, said blade holder extending from said second end of said link member to a blade engaging end; and a latch coupled to said link member, said latch being biased to a normally engaged position with said blade holder to maintain a desired relative positioning between said first end of said link member and said blade engaging end of said blade holder, said latch including a main body portion having a first end coupled adjacent said second end of said link member and extending from said first end thereof along said link member to a hinge, and further comprising a hinge member spaced from said main body portion and extending from said hinge toward said first end of said main body portion, said hinge member coupled to said link member at a location adjacent to and offset from said first end of said main body portion.