Method and device for microsurgical intermuscular spinal surgery

• US 7,166,073 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2005
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen Ritland
• Original Assignee: Stephen Ritland
• Inventors: Ritland, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): WEHNER, CARY ELLEN
• Application Number:
  US11/091,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20050228233A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 600/201, 600/210, 600/213, 600/214, 600/217, 600/219, 600/235
• US Class Current: 600/210
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3211 Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine

Abstract

A retractor is provided for performing spinal surgery with a minimal approach, and which spares the lumbar muscles from surgical disruption. A preferred embodiment includes a blade having first and second faces wherein the faces are positioned substantially transverse to one another, and wherein at least one of the faces has a tapered width. Alternatively, both the first and second faces are tapered. Additionally, a third face positioned transverse to the first face and substantially parallel to the third face may be incorporated into the retractor. The second face also preferably includes at least one tooth, and more preferably, a plurality of teeth at its distal end for laterally engaging an articular process of a vertebra of the spine.

Claims

1. A retractor for use in surgery of one or more vertebra of a spine, the retractor comprising:

a handle;

a blade interconnected to said handle at an intersection, said blade including a first face and a second face positioned transverse to said first face, said second face having an upper proximal edge spaced apart from said intersection, and said second face having a varied width, said blade further comprising a third face located transverse to said first face, wherein said first face is substantially perpendicular to said third face, and further comprising a quarter-rounded bend interconnecting said first face to said third face, wherein said third face is substantially parallel to said second face.

2. The retractor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third face further comprises a plurality of co-planar forward projecting teeth.

3. The retractor as claimed in claim 2, wherein said third face further comprises an upper proximal edge located distally of said upper proximal edge of said second face.

4. A retractor for use in surgery of one or more vertebra of a spine, the retractor comprising:

a handle; and

a blade interconnected to said handle at an intersection, said blade including a first face and a second face positioned transverse to said first face, said second face having an upper proximal edge spaced apart from said intersection, and said second face having a varied width, wherein said varied width of said second face comprises a first larger width at a location positioned proximally of a second narrower width at a distal end of said second face, and wherein said first face has a varied width, and wherein said varied width of said first face comprises a first larger width at a location positioned proximally of a second narrower width at a distal end of said first face.

5. A retractor for use in surgery of one or more vertebra of a spine, the retractor comprising:

a handle; and

a blade interconnected to said handle at an intersection, said blade including a first face and a second face positioned transverse to said first face, said second face having an upper proximal edge spaced apart from said intersection, and said second face having a varied width, wherein said first face further comprises a tool groove, wherein said tool groove is located at a proximal end of said first face, wherein said tool groove forms an angle with a top surface of said handle that is greater than an angle formed by said blade with said handle, and wherein said tool groove occupies about one-third to one-half of the length of said first face.

6. A retractor for use in surgery of a spine having one or more vertebra, the retractor comprising:

a handle; and

a blade connected to said handle, the blade including a first face and a second face positioned substantially perpendicular to said first face, the second face including at least one projection for laterally engaging an articular process of a vertebra of the spine, said first face having a tapered width with a first larger width at a location positioned proximally of a second narrower width at a distal end of said first face, and said second face having a tapered width with a larger width positioned proximally of a narrower width at a distal end of said second face.

7. The retractor as claimed in claim 6, further comprising an interior surface including a curved transition between said first face and said second face, wherein said curved transition comprises a constant radius curve.

8. The retractor as claimed in claim 7, wherein said curved transition comprises a tapered conic section substantially corresponding to the taper of the first face and the taper of the second face.

9. The retractor as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a partially rounded smooth outer blade surface.

10. The retractor as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a third face located transverse to said first face, wherein said first face, said second face, and said third face form a U-shaped interior surface, wherein said third face further comprises a plurality of co-planar forward projecting teeth.

11. The retractor as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first face further comprises a tool groove, wherein said tool groove is located at a proximal end of said first face, wherein said tool groove forms an angle with a top surface of said handle that is greater than an angle formed by said blade with said handle, and wherein said tool groove occupies about one-third to one-half of the length of said first face.

12. A retractor for exposure of the bony spine for screw placement comprising:

a handle; and

a blade connected to said handle, the blade including a first planar surface for orienting substantially parallel to an axis of the spine, a second planar surface for orienting substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine, and a third planar surface located substantially opposite at least a portion of said second planar surface and for orienting substantially perpendicular to the axis of the spine, a cylindrical or curved transition located between said second, said first, and said third planar surfaces wherein a U-shaped blade portion is formed, said second and third planar surfaces including a plurality of teeth pointing medially to engage an articular complex of the spine, at least said first planar surface and said second planar surfaces having tapered widths wherein a proximal end of said first and second planar surfaces is wider than a distal end of said first and second planar surfaces, the tapered first and second planar surfaces providing a working window for a transverse process lateral to the articular complex.

13. The retractor as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a terminal indentation or at least one distal tooth at the tip of the distal end of said first planar surface, said terminal indentation or at least one distal tooth adapted to engage the transverse process.