Surgical access system and related methods
DCFirst Claim
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1. A spinal shim device configured to releasably attach to a spinal access retractor blade and to penetrate into a spinal disc space for anchoring the spinal access retractor blade to the disc space, the shim device comprising:
- a proximal portion configured to releasably attach to a spinal access refractor blade, a distal extension configured to extend distally of the spinal access retractor blade and penetrate into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, and a maximum longitudinal length extending from a proximal-most end of the proximal portion to a distal-most end of the distal extension and extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shim device, wherein the maximum longitudinal length of the shim device is less than a maximum longitudinal length of the spinal access retractor blade to which the proximal portion is configured to releasably attach;
the distal extension including;
a tapered tip region, and a maximum lateral width of the distal extension located proximally away from the distal-most end;
the proximal portion having a proximal lateral width that is greater than the maximum lateral width of the distal extension, the proximal portion defining a forward surface portion, and the proximal portion including a rearwardly extending ridge structure to releasably engage with a corresponding groove along an interior face of the spinal access refractor blade when the proximal portion releasably attaches to the spinal access retractor blade, the ridge structure having a length extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shim device and being bisected by a longitudinal plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the shim device.
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Abstract
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction 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.
340 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A spinal shim device configured to releasably attach to a spinal access retractor blade and to penetrate into a spinal disc space for anchoring the spinal access retractor blade to the disc space, the shim device comprising:
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a proximal portion configured to releasably attach to a spinal access refractor blade, a distal extension configured to extend distally of the spinal access retractor blade and penetrate into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, and a maximum longitudinal length extending from a proximal-most end of the proximal portion to a distal-most end of the distal extension and extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shim device, wherein the maximum longitudinal length of the shim device is less than a maximum longitudinal length of the spinal access retractor blade to which the proximal portion is configured to releasably attach; the distal extension including;
a tapered tip region, and a maximum lateral width of the distal extension located proximally away from the distal-most end;the proximal portion having a proximal lateral width that is greater than the maximum lateral width of the distal extension, the proximal portion defining a forward surface portion, and the proximal portion including a rearwardly extending ridge structure to releasably engage with a corresponding groove along an interior face of the spinal access refractor blade when the proximal portion releasably attaches to the spinal access retractor blade, the ridge structure having a length extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shim device and being bisected by a longitudinal plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the shim device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification