Malleable retractor

A method of forming a surgical retractor, comprising:

• forming a strip from a malleable metallic material, the strip capable of being shaped among a first unbent configuration, a second bent configuration, and a configuration opposite the second bent configuration, the second bent configuration having a bend radius of approximately 0.75 cm to approximately 2.0 cm;
• disposing an insulative layer over the strip;
• depositing an elastic and electrically conductive material over the insulative layer;
• and
• disposing an additional layer of insulating material to permit the surgical retractor to be resistant to liquids encountered during surgical procedures, wherein the elastic and electrically conductive material conducts an electric current from a press and hold switch to an illumination source, and wherein the press and hold switch is to cause a plurality of incremental increases in illumination intensity based on holding the switch in a depressed position.

A method, comprising:

• forming a strip from a malleable metallic material, the strip capable of being shaped among a first unbent configuration, a second bent configuration, and a configuration opposite the second bent configuration, the second bent configuration having a bend radius of approximately 0.75 cm to approximately 2.0 cm;
• disposing an insulative layer over the strip;
• depositing an elastic and electrically conductive material over the insulative layer;
• disposing a press and hold switch at a first end portion of the strip to control an illumination source disposed at a second end portion of the strip, wherein the press and hold switch is to cause a plurality of incremental increases in illumination intensity based on holding the switch in a depressed position;
• and
• disposing a flexible charge storage module at the first end portion of the strip.