System and Method Retracting Body Tissue

A method for retracting body tissue, comprising:

• preparing an access path to a portion of a spine;
• positioning a frame rail having opposing surfaces;
• connecting a supporting frame arm to a surface that is affixable relative to the body tissue;
• connecting a frame arm clamp to said frame arm, and having opposed clamping surfaces each shaped to conformingly engage said opposing surfaces, said frame arm clamp further including a connector connecting said opposed clamping surfaces and configured to move said clamping surfaces into contact with said opposing surfaces by rotating a nut;
• and
• engaging at least one device clamp having opposed clamping surfaces each shaped to engage said opposing surfaces, said device clamp further including a connector connecting said opposed clamping surfaces and configured to move said clamping surfaces into contact with said opposing surfaces, said at least one device clamp slideable along said frame rail when said at least one device clamp is engaged with said frame rail, said at least one frame arm clamp and said at least one device clamp movable past each other along said frame rail when said at least one frame arm clamp is engaged with said frame rail and said at least one device clamp is engaged with said frame rail,
• implanting an implant into a portion of the spine.

A method for retracting body tissue, comprising:

• positioning a frame rail, said frame rail formed in separable portions, each portion including a projecting portion and a recessed portion, the projection portion mateable with the recessed portion to connect the separable portions;
• coupling a supporting frame arm to a surface that is affixable relative to the body tissue;
• coupling a frame arm clamp to said frame arm, and having opposed clamping surfaces to engage said frame rail, said frame arm clamp further including a connector connecting said opposed clamping surfaces;
• and
• engaging at least one device clamp having opposed clamping surfaces to engage said fram rail, said at least one device clamp slideable along frame rail, said at least one frame arm clamp and said at least one device clamp movable past each other along said frame rail when said at least one frame arm clamp is engaged with said frame rail and said at least one device clamp is engaged with said frame rail.