#$%^&*AU2015202539B220170518.pdf#####METHODS AND DEVICES TO DECREASE TISSUE TRAUMA DURING SURGERY ABSTRACT In an aspect there is disclosed a thoracic (K2) retractor for performing a thoracotomy. The retractor comprises a drive element (K40) defining a direction of retraction at least two arms (K4) oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of retraction, at least one of the at least two arms moveable both linearly along and rotationally about the drive element and at least one self-balancing tissue engager (K52) associated with each arm. The at least one self-balancing tissue engager comprises a first rotary joint defining (K24) a substantially vertical first axis of rotation associated with the arm a first balance bar (K20) having two ends, wherein the first balance bar is attached to the first rotary joint between the two ends and each of the two ends of the first balance bar having a second rotary joint (K30) having a substantially vertical second axis of rotation and two second balance bars (K26), each of the two second balance bars having two ends and each of the two ends of the two second balance bars having a descender post (K52) descending from each of the ends of the two second balance bars, such that four descender posts (K52) are on each self-balancing tissue engager.
