Surgical access system and related methods
First Claim
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1. A system for accessing a surgical target site, comprising:
- a handle assembly including a first arm member, a second arm member hingedly attached to said first arm member, and a translating member adapted to move longitudinally relative said first and second arm members;
a first retractor blade rigidly coupled to said first arm member prior to introduction into said surgical target site, a second retractor blade rigidly coupled to said second arm member prior to introduction into said surgical target site, and a third retractor blade rigidly coupled to said translating member prior to introduction into said surgical target site;
said handle being configured to simultaneously introduce said first, second and third retractor blades to said surgical target site in a closed position and thereafter opened by manually squeezing said first and second arm members relative to one another to create an operative corridor to said surgical target site.
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Abstract
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for accessing a surgical target site, comprising:
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a handle assembly including a first arm member, a second arm member hingedly attached to said first arm member, and a translating member adapted to move longitudinally relative said first and second arm members; a first retractor blade rigidly coupled to said first arm member prior to introduction into said surgical target site, a second retractor blade rigidly coupled to said second arm member prior to introduction into said surgical target site, and a third retractor blade rigidly coupled to said translating member prior to introduction into said surgical target site; said handle being configured to simultaneously introduce said first, second and third retractor blades to said surgical target site in a closed position and thereafter opened by manually squeezing said first and second arm members relative to one another to create an operative corridor to said surgical target site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of accessing a surgical target site, comprising the steps of:
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advancing at least one generally cylindrical dilator to said surgical target site; thereafter advancing over said at least one dilator a retractor assembly including a first retractor blade, a second retractor blade and a third retractor blade releasably coupled to a hinged handle assembly while said first, second and third retractor blades are positioned generally adjacent to one another in a closed position; and thereafter manually squeezing said hinged handle assembly to move said first, second and third retractor blades into an open position to create an operative corridor to said surgical target site. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification