Illuminated surgical access system including a surgical access device and integrated light emitter

1. An illuminated surgical access system for providing access to a surgical site of a patient during surgery, comprising:

a retractor comprising one or more adjustable blades in which depth of the blade is adjustable, the adjustable blade comprising an opaque inner layer and an opaque outer layer, the inner layer defining an interior path therethrough for accessing the surgical site, the outer layer defining an outer surface of the retractor;

a light transmission medium disposed between the opaque inner layer and the opaque outer layer for transmitting light from a proximal end of the retractor to a distal end of the retractor, wherein the inner layer is constructed as a separate layer from the light transmission medium to protect the light transmission medium; and

an integrated light emitter in proximity to the distal end of the one or more adjustable blades of the retractor to illuminate a surgical site accessed by the retractor.

2. The surgical retractor of claim 1 wherein the one or more adjustable blades comprise telescoping blades.

3. The surgical access system of claim 1 , wherein the light transmission medium comprises fiber optic cabling.

4. The surgical access system of claim 1 wherein the light emitter is configured to transmit infrared light.

5. The surgical access system of claim 1 wherein the light emitter is configured to transmit ultraviolet light.

6. The surgical retractor of claim 1 wherein a proximal end of the retractor is configured to minimize reflection of external light.