TISSUE RETRACTOR APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE

1 . A tissue retractor comprising:

a first retractor having a first main frame with a first distal blade; and

a second retractor having a second main frame with a second distal blade;

the first distal blade and second distal blade being configured to engage each other on opposite sides of a spinal implant creating an expandable passageway P between the first main frame and second main frame.

2 . The tissue retractor of claim 1 , wherein the first distal blade includes a first hook section and the second distal blade includes a second hook section.

3 . The tissue retractor of claim 2 , wherein the first distal blade and second distal blade include an interior face and an exterior face, the first hook section and the second hook section include a first clamp, a second clamp, and a center cuff, whereby the first clamp and the second clamp project towards the interior face of the first distal blade and second distal blade.

4 . The tissue retractor of claim 1 , wherein the first and second main frames each include a proximal section, a middle section, and a distal section, the first and second distal blades being on distal section.

5 . The tissue retractor of claim 4 , wherein the proximal sections of the first retractor and the second retractor include a curved portion that curves towards an exterior portion of the first retractor and the second retractor.

6 . The tissue retractor of claim 1 , wherein the first and second main frames include a plurality of holes configured to engage an instrument to translate the first retractor apart from the second retractor to expand the passageway P.

7 . The tissue retractor of claim 1 , wherein the first and second main frames include a frame width Wf and the first and second distal blades include a blade width Wb, whereby the blade width Wb is greater than the frame width Wf.

8 . The tissue retractor of claim 1 , wherein the first and second distal blades are symmetrical with first and second main frames with respect to a y-axis.

9 . The tissue retractor of claim 1 , wherein the first and second distal blades are asymmetrical with first and second main frames with respect to a y-axis.

10 . A tissue retractor comprising:

a first retractor and a second retractor, whereby the first retractor and the second retractor are configured to provide a clamping force between the first retractor and the second retractor to expose bodily tissue and a passageway P;

the first retractor and the second retractor each include a main frame, wherein the main frame includes a proximal section, a middle section, and a distal section;

the distal sections of the first retractor and the second retractor include a first blade and a second blade, respectively, wherein the first blade includes a first hook section and the second blade includes a second hook section;

the first blade operably couples with the second blade to clamp down on a medical device, a spinal implant, a medical screw, or the like, while allowing a surgeon to hold back soft tissue with the first blade and the second blade.

11 . The tissue retractor of claim 10 , wherein the first blade and second blade include a proximal portion, a distal portion, an interior face, and an exterior face;

the distal portion of the first blade and second blade includes the first hook section and second hook section, respectively;

the first hook section and the second hook section include a first clamp, a second clamp, and a center cuff, whereby the first clamp and the second clamp project towards the interior face along a z-axis of the first blade and second blade;

the proximal portion of the first blade and the second blade includes a curved design towards the central axis connecting the first blade to the middle section.

12 . The tissue retractor of claim 10 , wherein the middle section of the first retractor and the second retractor include a perforated frame including a plurality of holes in a spaced apart relationship along the longitudinal axis of the first retractor and the second retractor, whereby the holes are separated by a diameter Dp.

13 . The tissue retractor of claim 12 , wherein the first blade and the second blade include a width Wb and a length Lb, the width Wb is generally shown along an x-axis direction and the length Lb is generally shown along a y-axis.

14 . The tissue retractor of claim 13 , wherein the width Wb and the length Lb are generally selected for the type of bodily tissue to be retracted or to be exposed.

15 . The tissue retractor of claim 13 , wherein the perforated frame includes a width Wf, whereby the blade width Wb is greater than the perforated frame width Wf.

16 . The tissue retractor of claim 11 , wherein the proximal portion of the first retractor and the second retractor include a curved portion that curves towards the exterior portion of the first retractor and the second retractor generally in the z-axis direction.

17 . The tissue retractor of claim 11 , wherein the first hook section and the second hook section includes a first curved element and a second curved element that curves towards the interior face of the first blade and the second blade, respectively, to connect the exterior face with the first clamp and second clamp.

18 . The tissue retractor of claim 10 , wherein the first blade and the second blade include a shape selected from the group consisting of polygonal, rectangular, square, trapezoidal, elliptical, triangular, parabolic, C-shaped, U-shaped, and the like.

19 . A method if using a tissue retractor in a surgical procedure comprising:

inserting a first retractor and a second retractor of the tissue retractor through an opening or incision in the skin;

engaging the distal ends of the first and second retractors on opposite sides of a spinal implant;

translating the proximal ends of the first and second retractors away from each other forming a passageway P; and

moving one or more surgical tools through passageway P to perform the surgical procedure.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein:

the first retractor having a first main frame with a first distal blade; and

the second retractor having a second main frame with a second distal blade;

the first distal blade and second distal blade being configured to engage each other on opposite sides of the spinal implant creating the expandable passageway P between the first main frame and second main frame.