Nerve root retractor and disc space separator

• US 5,803,904 A
• Filed: 10/28/1997
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hamid Mehdizadeh
• Original Assignee: Hamid Mehdizadeh
• Inventors: Mehdizadeh, Hamid
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US08/958,997
• Time in Patent Office: 315 Days
• Field of Search: 600/201, 600/235, 600/208, 600/210, 606/238, 606/96, 606/53, 606/86
• US Class Current: 600/235
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/15 Guides therefor arrangements for guiding straight saw blades in general B23D51/025
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0262 with a provision for protecting nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface

Abstract

A nerve retractor and guide for laminectomy procedures has a cylindrical body with a single member extending from one end of the wall of the cylindrical body. The single member is formed to enter the intradiscal space to seat upon and maintain spacing of adjacent vertebral bodies during the procedures. The cylindrical body is positioned adjacent to and protects the cauda equina and the nerve roots that extend therefrom. The wall of the cylinder has a portion cut away on the side thereof opposite the extending single member so that the facet, lamina and pedicle bone areas are visibly accessible for removal as required by the procedures.

Claims

1. A nerve root retractor and laminectomy guide for protecting the cauda equina and the nerve root and providing visual access to the lamina, pedicle and facet, comprising

a tubular body having an outside wall, an open interior, a proximal end and a distal end, and

a tang extending from one side of said outside wall on said distal end,

said outside wall having a cut away portion on an opposite side from said one side, said cut away portion extending from said distal end toward said proximal end,

whereby insertion of said tang into the intradiscal space from a position adjacent the cauda equina separates adjacent vertebral bodies and protects the nerve root.

2. The nerve root retractor of claim 1 wherein said tubular body has a window opening in said outside wall on said one side extending from a position spaced from said distal end toward said proximal end, whereby regions adjacent to said distal end are observable during the laminectomy.

3. The nerve root retractor of claim 1 comprising

an impact cap for positioning on said proximal end.

4. The nerve root retractor of claim 1 comprising

a shoulder on each side of said tang at said distal end extending between said tang and said cut away portion.

5. A nerve root retractor and disc space spreader for contacting vertebral bodies in posterior lumbar surgical procedures, comprising

a tubular body having a body wall, a proximal end and a distal end, and

a tang extending from one side of said body wall at said distal end,

said body wall having a removed portion on an opposing side from said one side, said removed portion extending from said distal end toward said proximal end,

whereby said tang when seated between vertebral bodies retracts and protects the nerve root and spreads the vertebral bodies.

6. The nerve root retractor of claim 5, said body wall having a window opening therein on said one side extending from a position spaced from said distal end toward said proximal end.

7. The nerve root retractor of claim 5 comprising

an impact cap for positioning on said proximal end.

8. The nerve root retractor of claim 5 comprising

a shoulder on each side of said tang at said distal end extending between said tang and said cut away portion for locating said tang relative to adjacent vertebral bodies.

9. A surgical tool for providing protection to the cauda equina and nerve roots, separation of vertebral bodies and visual access to an operating area during laminectomy procedures, comprising

a tubular body having a body wall, a proximal body end and a distal body end,

a tang projecting from one side of said distal body end for insertion between the vertebral bodies and for retracting the cauda equina and nerve root, and

shoulder means on said distal body end adjacent each side of said tang for contacting the edges of adjacent vertebral bodies for limiting penetration into the intradiscal area,

said body wall having a cut away portion in the opposite side thereof from said one side, said cut away portion extending from said shoulder means toward said proximal body end, whereby the operating area is visible through said cut away portion.

10. The surgical tool of claim 9 wherein said tubular body has a window opening in said body wall on said one side extending from a position spaced from said distal body end toward said proximal body end.

11. The surgical tool of claim 9 comprising an impact cap on said proximal body end.