System and method for retracting body tissue

A retractor system comprising:

• a frame rail having opposing surfaces;
• a supporting frame arm configured to be affixable relative to the body tissue;
• a frame arm clamp configured to be coupled to said supporting frame arm, wherein the frame arm clamp has 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
• 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,
• wherein said frame rail is provided in separable sections joinable one to the other to form a continuous frame rail of a desired length, and wherein said separable sections each include one end forming a projection, and an opposite end forming a recess, the projection of one section positionable within a recess of another section, to thereby join said separable sections inot the continuous frame rail.

A retractor system, comprising:

• 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 into a continuous frame rail forming an unobstructed surface;
• a supporting frame arm configured to be affixable relative to the body tissue;
• a frame arm clamp to said frame arm, wherein the frame arm clamp has opposed clamping surfaces to engage said frame rail, said frame arm clamp further including a connector connecting said opposed clamping surfaces;
• and
• at least one device clamp having opposed clamping surfaces to engage said frame 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 and slidable continuously along said unobstructed surface of the frame rail when said frame arm clamp is engaged with said frame rail and said at least one device clamp is engaged with said frame rail.