Stand-alone access system for minimally invasive spinal surgery

• US 9,918,709 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2016
• Issued: 03/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spinal USA, Inc. (Precision Spine, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spinal USA, Inc. (Precision Spine, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sandhu, Faheem A.
• Primary Examiner(s): SEVILLA, CHRISTIAN ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US15/235,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20170156716A1
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/32 Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3423 Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands access sites for liquids A61M39/0247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1003 Spinal column
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/00 Dilators with or without means for introducing media, e.g. remedies instruments for performing visual medical inspections of cavities or tubes of the body A61B1/00

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 de sired 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.

Claims

1. A retractor assembly comprising:

at least three retractor blades, wherein the at least three retractor blades are relatively articulable with respect to each other and are configurable in a closed shape for defining a working channel to a surgical site,

each of the retractor blades having a length and inner and outer surfaces joined by two side surfaces,

the side surfaces between adjacent retractor blades comprising mating features configured to abut each other to temporarily interconnect the adjacent retractor blades when the at least three retractor blades are configured in the closed shape; and

wherein at least one of the retractor blades is configured to translate relative to the other retractor blades in a direction along its length when the mating surfaces of its side surfaces abut the mating features of the side surfaces of the adjacent retractor blades.

2. The retractor assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the retractor blades is configured to be pivoted relative to the other retractor blades.

3. The retractor assembly of claim 1, further comprising a light conduit extending along one of the retractor blades.

4. The retractor assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the retractor blades is configured to be manipulated independently from the other retractor blades.

5. The retractor assembly of claim 1, further comprising a handle configured to allow for manipulation of at least one of the retractor blades independently from the other retractor blades.

6. The retractor assembly of claim 1, wherein the retractor blades are expandable to enlarge the working channel.

7. The retractor assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least three retractor blades comprise three retractor blades and the closed shape is generally triangular.

8. A retractor system comprising the retractor assembly of claim 1 and at least one dilator.