Minimally Invasive Retractor Having Separable Blades

A surgical retractor, comprising:

• a pair of opposed elongate members;
• a coupling region disposed at one end of the surgical retractor and operably coupled to the pair of opposed elongate members, the coupling region having an opening located at a distal end thereof and at least one disengagement region including at least one stress riser extending proximally from the opening along the coupling region;
• and
• at least one living hinge connecting each of the opposing elongate members to the coupling region.

A method of retracting tissue, comprising the steps of:

• inserting a surgical retractor into an incision in a patient's skin, the surgical retractor having a coupling region disposed at one end thereof, the coupling region having an opening located at a distal end thereof and at least one stress riser extending proximally from the opening;
• moving opposed blades of the surgical retractor away from a centerline thereof, thereby enlarging the incision;
• moving the surgical retractor proximally such that the coupling region separates along the at least one stress riser away from the centerline of the surgical retractor;
• separating the opposed blades of the surgical retractor;
• and
• removing the separated blades of the surgical retractor.

A method of performing spine surgery comprising the steps of:

• a) providing at least two retractor assemblies, each retractor assembly including a pair of opposing elongate members and at least one stress riser located at a distal end thereof, the pair of opposing elongate members being flexibly and releasably coupled to a pedicle screw;
• b) securing the first screw to a portion of a first vertebral body;
• c) retracting tissue using the at least one elongate member of the first retractor;
• d) securing the second screw to a portion of a second vertebral body;
• e) retracting tissue using the pair of opposing elongate members of the second retractor;
• f) inserting a rod between the first and second screws;
• g) securing the rod to the first and second screws;
• h) moving the surgical retractor proximally such that the pair of opposing elongate members separates along the at least one stress riser away from the centerline of the surgical retractor;
• and
• h) removing the elongate members from the pedicle screws.