Surgical retractors and methods of using the same

1 . A retractor for use in a surgical procedure, the retractor comprising:

a base having (i) an anterior arm connectable to a first end of the base and having an anterior blade, and (ii) a posterior arm connectable to a second end of the base and having a posterior blade;

an anterior cabin removably connectable to the anterior arm, the anterior cabin for receiving a first auxiliary blade, the first auxiliary blade comprising:

a sheath extending from a proximal end to a distal end,

a blade tip at least partially within the sheath and slidable within the sheath,

an adjustment mechanism configured to translate the blade tip along at least a portion of a length of the sheath, and

a spring in connection with the blade tip, the spring biasing the blade tip distally relative to the adjustment mechanism; and

a posterior cabin removably connectable to the posterior arm, the posterior cabin for receiving a second auxiliary blade, the posterior cabin having an extension, such that the second auxiliary blade is positionable anterior to the posterior blade, the second auxiliary blade being substantially identical to the first auxiliary blade,

wherein each of the first auxiliary blade and the second auxiliary blade is adjustable in length and in angle in at least two planes, and

wherein the distal ends of the first auxiliary blade and the second auxiliary blade are capable of being angled outwardly relative to each other.

2 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the sheath of the first auxiliary blade comprises an engagement mechanism at the proximal end, the engagement mechanism for attaching the first auxiliary blade to the anterior cabin.

3 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the at least two planes are orthogonal to each other.

4 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the first auxiliary blade further comprises a blade arm in connection with the proximal end of the sheath, the blade arm for connecting the first auxiliary blade to the anterior cabin.

5 . The retractor of claim 4 , wherein the blade arm comprises a plurality of teeth for engaging a gear mechanism of the anterior cabin.

6 . The retractor of claim 4 , wherein the blade arm comprises a rod for engaging a clamp of the anterior cabin.

7 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the anterior cabin comprises:

a body defining a channel to receive a portion of the first auxiliary blade;

a hook portion extending from the body towards a center line of the retractor, the hook portion for engaging the anterior arm;

a latch for securing the anterior cabin to the anterior arm; and

a gear mechanism for engaging the portion of the first auxiliary blade.

8 . A retractor for use in a surgical procedure, the retractor comprising:

a base retractor comprising a rack having a first through opening along a first axis and a second through opening along a second axis parallel to the first axis, an anterior arm connectable to the rack through the first through opening and having an anterior blade, and a posterior arm connectable to the rack through the second through opening and having a posterior blade;

a first cabin connectable to the anterior arm, the first cabin for receiving a first auxiliary blade defining a first axis; and

a second auxiliary blade connectable to the posterior arm, the second auxiliary blade defining a second axis,

wherein each of the first auxiliary blade and the second auxiliary blade is adjustable in length and angulation, and

wherein the first and second axes are not parallel to each other so that each of the first auxiliary blade and the second auxiliary blade has an outward bias relative to the anterior blade and posterior blade, respectively.

9 . The retractor of claim 8 , wherein the anterior arm defines a slot for receiving a portion of the first cabin.

10 . The retractor of claim 8 , further comprising a second cabin for connecting the second auxiliary blade to the posterior arm.

11 . The retractor of claim 8 , wherein each of the first auxiliary blade and the second auxiliary blade comprise:

a sheath extending from a proximal end to a distal end; and

a blade tip in connection with the sheath, the blade tip being biased in a first position.

12 . The retractor of claim 11 , further comprising at least one spring for biasing the blade tip in the first position.

13 . The retractor of claim 11 , wherein the blade tip transitions from the first position to a second position relative to the sheath when the blade tip contacts patient anatomy during a surgical procedure.

14 . The retractor of claim 11 , wherein the blade tip is pressed inwardly from the outward bias when the blade tip is pressed inwardly by patient anatomy during a surgical procedure, and wherein the blade tip returns to the outward bias when not pressed inwardly by the patient anatomy.

15 . A method of creating and/or maintaining an exposure in a surgical procedure, the method comprising:

providing the retractor of claim 1 ;

attaching the anterior cabin to the anterior arm of the base, the anterior arm having an anterior blade;

attaching the posterior cabin to the posterior arm of the base, the posterior arm having a posterior blade, the posterior blade being substantially parallel to the anterior blade;

securing the first auxiliary blade to the anterior cabin, the first auxiliary blade oriented orthogonal to the anterior blade and having an outward bias relative to the anterior blade; and

securing the second auxiliary blade to the posterior cabin, the second auxiliary blade oriented orthogonal to the posterior blade and having an outward bias relative to the posterior blade,

each of the first auxiliary blade and the second auxiliary blade being independently moveable relative to the anterior blade, the posterior blade, and each other.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein attaching the anterior cabin to the anterior arm of the base retractor comprises:

positioning a hook portion of the anterior cabin over the anterior arm;

depressing a latch contained within a distal portion of the anterior cabin; and

releasing the latch, such that the hook portion of the anterior cabin is secured to a top surface of the anterior arm and the latch is adjacent a bottom surface of the anterior arm.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein attaching the posterior cabin to the posterior arm of the base retractor comprises:

positioning a hook portion of the posterior cabin over the posterior arm, such that an extension of the posterior cabin extends posteriorly past the posterior blade;

depressing a latch contained within a distal portion of the posterior cabin; and

releasing the latch, such that the hook portion of the posterior cabin is secured to a top surface of the posterior arm and the latch is [secured to/adjacent] a bottom surface of the posterior arm.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein securing the first auxiliary blade to the anterior cabin comprises:

connecting a proximal end of the first auxiliary blade to a first blade arm; and

securing the first blade arm to a portion of the anterior cabin.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein securing the first blade arm to a portion of the anterior cabin comprises clamping a portion of the first blade arm within a clamp of the anterior cabin.

20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

retracting the first auxiliary blade into the anterior cabin; and

retracting the second auxiliary blade into the posterior cabin.

21 . A retractor for use in a surgical procedure, the retractor comprising:

a base retractor comprising a rack having a first through opening along a first axis and a second through opening along a second axis parallel to the first axis, an anterior arm connectable to the rack through the first through opening and having an anterior blade, and a posterior arm connectable to the rack through the second through opening and having a posterior blade;

a first cabin connectable to the anterior arm, the first cabin for receiving a first auxiliary blade defining a first axis; and

a second auxiliary blade connectable to the posterior arm, the second auxiliary blade defining a second axis;

wherein each of the first auxiliary blade and the second auxiliary blade is adjustable in length and angulation;

wherein the first and second axes are not parallel to each other so that each of the first auxiliary blade and the second auxiliary blade has an outward bias relative to the anterior blade and posterior blade, respectively; and

wherein the anterior arm defines a slot for receiving a portion of the first cabin.

22 . The retractor of claim 21 , further comprising a second cabin for connecting the second auxiliary blade to the posterior arm.

23 . The retractor of claim 21 , wherein each of the first auxiliary blade and the second auxiliary blade comprise:

a sheath extending from a proximal end to a distal end; and

a blade tip in connection with the sheath, the blade tip being biased in a first position.

24 . The retractor of claim 23 , further comprising at least one spring for biasing the blade tip in the first position.

25 . The retractor of claim 23 , further comprising a screw-actuated adjustment mechanism configured to translate the blade tip along at least a portion of the sheath.

26 . The retractor of claim 25 , further comprising at least one spring for biasing the blade tip in the first position.

27 . The retractor of claim 23 , wherein the blade tip transitions from the first position to a second position relative to the sheath when the blade tip contacts patient anatomy during a surgical procedure.

28 . The retractor of claim 23 , wherein the blade tip is pressed inwardly from the outward bias when the blade tip is pressed inwardly by patient anatomy during a surgical procedure, and wherein the blade tip returns to the outward bias when not pressed inwardly by the patient anatomy.