Rib retractor with compliant retractor blade

A retractor comprising:

• means for applying a retraction force;
• first and second arms;
• at least one of the first and second arms configured to mechanically retract in response to the retraction force;
• first and second retractor blades attached respectively to the first and second arms, the first and second retractor blades being asymmetrical;
• wherein the first retractor blade is pivotably attached to the first arm;
• the first retractor blade comprising:
• a first descender portion configured to engage a first rib in response to the retraction force;
• a first hook portion forming a first channel with the first descender portion, the first channel configured to secure the first rib against the first descender portion;
• at least one hump protruding from a back surface of the retractor blade opposite a front surface of the retractor blade, the front surface including the channel;
• wherein the first descender portion and the first hook portion are integrally formed of a compliant material;
• wherein the first hook portion includes at least one gap separating a first plurality of teeth;
• wherein the at least one gap of the first hook portion and the compliant material together are configured to cause substantially an entire length of the first retractor blade in the first descender portion to conform to the first rib in response to the retraction force;
• and
• wherein the at least one hump comprises a first hump and a second hump, and wherein the first hump is configured to receive a first fork of a forked pivot connector to the first arm, and wherein the second hump is configured to receive a second fork of the forked pivot connector.