Patent ID: 7473222

Claim:
A retractor assembly for percutaneous surgery in a patient, comprising: a first retractor portion having a proximal end and a distal end positionable in an incision; a second retractor portion having a proximal end and a distal end positionable in the incision opposite said first retractor portion, said first and second retractor portions defining an axis extending therebetween; a separation instrument coupled between said proximal ends of said first and second retractor portions and being offset to one side of said axis, said separation instrument being operable to move said first and second retractor portions along said axis from an insertion configuration wherein said first and second retractor portions are adjacent one another to a second configuration wherein said first and second portions are separated from one another; and an intermediate retractor assembly removably mountable to said separation instrument, said intermediate retractor assembly including a length adjustable arm extending from said separation instrument toward said first and second retractor portions to a retractor blade, said retractor blade being transversely oriented to said adjustable arm and being positionable in the incision between said first and second retractor portions with said adjustable arm mounted to said separation instrument, said adjustable arm being configured to adjust in length between said retractor blade and said separation instrument while maintaining its mounted position to said separation instrument, said length adjustable arm including a ratcheting configuration normally preventing lengthening of said adjustable arm while permitting shortening of said adjustable arm, wherein said intermediate retractor assembly further comprises: a linking arm including a first end engageable to said adjustable arm and an opposite second end; and a second retractor blade removably engageable to said second end of said linking arm.