Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to surgical retractors and surgical retractor systems configured to provide access to a surgical site, such as a portion of a patient's spine. Also disclosed are retractor blades or blade assemblies connectable to surgical retractors. A self-adjusting retractor blade includes a sheath extending from a proximal end to a distal end, with the sheath having an engagement portion at the proximal end configured for releasable engagement with a surgical retractor system, a channel extending to the distal end, and a blade tip at least partially contained within the channel, the blade tip configured to slide within the channel. The blade tip may be biased in a first position relative to the sheath. Methods of assembling and using the surgical retractors and surgical systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retractor for use in surgical operations can include a first blade assembly comprising a first blade, a first actuator configured to translate the first blade along a first translation direction, a first lock handle configured to limit translation along a direction opposite the first translation direction. The retractor can include a second blade assembly comprising a second blade. The method can include providing a retractor comprising a first blade assembly comprising a first blade, a first actuator, a first lock handle, and second blade assembly comprising a second blade. The method can include translating the first blade along a first translation direction with the first actuator. The first lock handle can limit translation along a direction opposite the first translation direction.