Surgical instrument system and method for providing retraction and vertebral distraction

An instrument for spinal surgery for retracting soft tissue and mounting between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process, the instrument comprising:

• a frame;
• a first retractor blade mounted to the frame;
• a distractor element movably mounted to the frame, the distractor element having a body, a proximal end and a distal end, the distractor element having an insertion thickness, a working thickness and a length, the working thickness being greater than the insertion thickness, the distractor element having a dumbbell-shape and configured for mounting between the superior and inferior spinous processes in a working configuration, the distractor element being generally tapered at the distal end in an insertion configuration, the distractor element configured for insertion between the superior and inferior spinous processes in the insertion configuration with the insertion thickness positioned between the superior and inferior spinous processes and expandable to the working configuration with the working thickness between the superior and inferior spinous processes, thereby distracting the superior and inferior spinous processes, the working thickness being measured between a first edge that is in contact with the superior spinous process and a second edge that is in contact with the inferior spinous process in the working configuration, the insertion thickness being measured between a top surface and a bottom surface that are oriented substantially perpendicular to the first and second edges;
• an insertion shaft attached to the proximal end;
• and
• a first shaft joint mounted between the frame and the insertion shaft.