Stand-alone access system for minimally invasive spinal surgery
First Claim
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1. A method of initiating a minimally invasive surgical procedure comprising steps of:
- dilating tissue for forming a working channel to a surgical site,supporting the working channel with a retractor assembly having at least three relatively articulable components that are positioned around the working channel with temporary interconnections between adjacent sidewalls of the components,articulating at least one relatively articulable component with respect to the other of the relatively articulable components, wherein articulating comprises pivoting at least one relatively articulable component with respect to the other relatively articulable components.
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Abstract
A retractor assembly for defining a working channel to a surgical site for conducting minimally invasive spinal surgery includes a plurality of relatively articulable components. Temporary interconnections are formed between adjacent sidewalls of the components to hold the components in a desired configuration, such as in a closed triangular form. The components are articulable relative to each other for adjusting the working channel or for performing surgical functions.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of initiating a minimally invasive surgical procedure comprising steps of:
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dilating tissue for forming a working channel to a surgical site, supporting the working channel with a retractor assembly having at least three relatively articulable components that are positioned around the working channel with temporary interconnections between adjacent sidewalls of the components, articulating at least one relatively articulable component with respect to the other of the relatively articulable components, wherein articulating comprises pivoting at least one relatively articulable component with respect to the other relatively articulable components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification