Surgical retractor with integrated handle and system

1 . A retractor, comprising:

a neck comprising a neck top side, a neck bottom side, a neck proximal end, a neck distal end, a neck first lateral sidewall between the neck top side and the neck bottom side, and a neck second lateral sidewall between the neck top side and the neck bottom side, wherein the neck second lateral sidewall is opposite the neck first lateral sidewall, and wherein the neck first and second lateral sidewalls traverse the neck from the neck proximal end to the neck distal end;

a first sidewall opening in the neck first lateral sidewall and toward the neck proximal end;

an accessory cable channel comprising a channel first sidewall, a channel second sidewall opposite the channel first sidewall, and a channel bottom surface, wherein the channel first and second sidewalls extend into the neck top side to the channel bottom surface, wherein the channel bottom surface laterally spans from the channel first sidewall to the channel second sidewall, and wherein the channel first sidewall, the channel second sidewall, and the channel bottom surface run longitudinally along the neck from the first sidewall opening in the neck and toward the neck distal end;

a blade comprising a blade proximal end couped to the neck distal end and a blade distal end that extends downwardly from the neck distal end;

a nipple on the neck top side and positioned toward the neck proximal end, wherein the nipple protrudes above the neck top side;

wherein the nipple is configured to couple the neck to a retractor connector; and

wherein the neck provides a handle between the nipple and the blade.

2 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein a length of the handle between the blade and the nipple is greater than 2 inches.

3 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein a length of the handle between the blade and the nipple is between 2 inches and 6 inches.

4 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the neck bottom side comprises depressions forming a grip of the handle.

5 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the neck bottom side comprises depressions that conform to a person's fingers.

6 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein:

the blade comprises a blade front side that extends longitudinally from the blade proximal end to the blade distal end and an accessory channel in the blade front side; and

the accessory channel extends longitudinally between the blade proximal end and the blade distal end and is configured to receive an accessory.

7 . The retractor of claim 1 , comprising an accessory channel that extends from a hole in the neck top side, through the neck top side, and longitudinally into the blade.

8 . The retractor of claim 7 , wherein the blade comprises:

a blade front side that extends longitudinally from the blade proximal end to the blade distal end; and

an opening in the blade front side that exposes an interior surface of a portion of the accessory channel that extends longitudinally into the blade.

9 . The retractor of claim 7 , wherein the accessory cable channel extends to the accessory channel.

10 . The retractor of claim 9 , comprising:

a second sidewall opening in the neck second lateral sidewall and toward the neck proximal end; and

wherein the accessory cable channel extends to both the first sidewall opening in the neck first lateral sidewall and the second sidewall opening in the neck second lateral sidewall.

11 . The retractor of claim 7 , wherein the blade comprises:

a blade first longitudinal side that extends longitudinally between the blade proximal end and the blade distal end;

a blade second longitudinal side that is opposite the blade first longitudinal side and that extends longitudinally between the blade proximal end and the blade distal end; and

the blade first longitudinal side comprises a first fastener channel that runs longitudinally between the blade proximal end and the blade distal end.

12 . The retractor of claim 11 , wherein the blade second longitudinal side comprises a second fastener channel that runs longitudinally between the blade proximal end and the blade distal end.

13 . The retractor of claim 11 , wherein the first fastener channel comprises a proximal opening configured to receive a fastener and a distal opening configured to permit a distal end of the received fastener to extend from the first fastener channel.

14 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the neck and the blade are radiolucent.

15 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the blade forms a 90° angle±10° with the neck.

16 . A retractor system, comprising:

a retractor arm comprising an elongated member and a retractor connector coupled to an end of the elongated member; and

a retractor comprising a neck, a blade extending downwardly from a distal end of the neck, a nipple protruding upwardly from a top side of the neck at a position toward a proximal end of the neck, and an accessory channel that extends downwardly through the neck and into the blade;

wherein the retractor connector comprises a port configured to receive the nipple of the retractor and couple the retractor to the retractor arm via the nipple of the retractor;

wherein the neck provides a handle between the nipple and the blade;

wherein the blade encloses a first portion the accessory channel; and

wherein an opening in a front side of the blade exposes one or more interior surfaces of a second portion of the accessory channel.

17 . The retractor system of claim 16 , wherein a length of the handle between the blade and the nipple is greater than 2 inches.

18 . The retractor system of claim 16 , wherein a bottom side of the neck comprises depressions that conform to a person's fingers.

19 . The retractor system of claim 16 , wherein:

the retractor comprises an accessory cable channel in the neck; and

the accessory cable channel comprises a channel bottom surface that runs from the accessory channel to at least one of a first opening in a first sidewall of the neck and a second opening in a second sidewall of the neck.

20 . The retractor system of claim 19 , wherein the neck and the blade are radiolucent.