SURGICAL ACCESS SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20120283521A1
• Filed: 11/12/2010
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuvasive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nuvasive Incorporated
• Inventors: Snider, Brian, Serra, Michael, Smith, William D., Woolley, Troy B., Mindoro, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,138,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/213
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0206 with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0262 with a provision for protecting nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/067 for measuring angles

Abstract

A minimally invasive surgical procedure, and related systems, for creating a minimally invasive operating corridor from a generally lateral approach, for example for performing corpectomies in the lumbar and thoracic regions of the spine.

Claims

1. A minimally invasive tissue retraction system for creating a minimally invasive operating corridor to the spine comprising:

a retractor body having a plurality of arms movable relative to each other, each arm having an attachment site;

at least two of said arms having retractor blades attached to said attachment site, each of said retractor blades pointed generally perpendicularly relative to said retractor body; and

an alternate blade shaped to retract lung tissue from said operative corridor, the alternate blade attached to said attachment site of one of the remaining arms, and wherein said alternate blade is also pointed generally perpendicular relative to said retractor body.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said alternate blade has a generally square distal end to match the contour of the spine.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said alternate blade has a wire frame.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said alternate blade has a proximal neck region that is thinner than a body region.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the proximal neck is between 15 and 25 mm wide.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the alternate blade has a quick connect feature for engaging a manual handle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a supplemental retractor assembly.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the supplemental retractor assembly is attachable to one of the blades.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the alternate blade is attachable to the supplemental retractor assembly.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising arm extenders that are attachable to the arms of the retractor system to increase the exposure size achievable by the retractor system.