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Surgical access and nerve surveillance

  • US 9,014,776 B2
  • Filed: 07/16/2013
  • Issued: 04/21/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of performing spine surgery, comprising:

  • advancing a stimulation instrument and an expandable structure along a path towards a spinal target site, wherein the expandable structure includes a passageway extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the stimulation instrument fitting within the passageway of the expandable structure;

    delivering a stimulation signal from a stimulation electrode disposed proximate a distal end of the stimulation instrument while the stimulation instrument is positioned along the path to detect the presence of nerves adjacent the stimulation instrument;

    manipulating the expandable structure to increase a circumference of the expandable structure from a first circumference to a larger second circumference;

    advancing an access instrument over the expandable structure to the surgical target site, the access instrument having a second passageway extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the second passageway having a third circumference fitting around the second circumference of the expandable structure;

    removing the stimulation instrument and the expandable structure from the second passageway after the access instrument has been advanced to the spinal target site; and

    introducing an implant into the spinal target site through the access instrument.

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