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Apparatus and method of inserting spinal implants

  • US 8,734,447 B1
  • Filed: 06/27/2000
  • Issued: 05/27/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for performing a surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:

  • providing a surgical retractor including an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis, the elongate member including proximal and distal end portions and defining an opening therethrough to receive instrumentation, the distal end portion configured for insertion at least partially into an intervertebral space between adjacent opposed vertebrae and having two spaced apart retractor arms, each retractor arm including first and second supporting surfaces laterally displaced with respect to each other and to the longitudinal axis;

    distracting the adjacent vertebrae by at least partially inserting the retractor arms of the retractor within the intervertebral space whereby the first supporting surface of each retractor arm engages one vertebrae and the second supporting surface of each retractor arm engages the other vertebrae such that the adjacent opposed vertebrae are laterally displaced; and

    performing the surgical procedure.

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