Retractor
AssigneeSpinal Elements, Inc.
InventorsTyson Vogel, Jason Blain
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies. In operation, the blade assemblies are initially in a closed position to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The retractor is adapted to rotate a first blade about a first axis and a second blade about a second axis. The retractor is adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart along a third axis. The retractor is adapted to pivot the first blade about a fourth axis and the second blade about a fifth axis. In some embodiments, a method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed retractor is provided.
Claims23
A retractor comprising:
- a first blade,
- a first rotation mechanism that rotates the first blade about a first axis,
- a second blade,
- a second rotation mechanism that rotates the second blade about a second axis,
- a first pivot mechanism that pivots the first blade about a fourth axis, wherein the fourth axis is skewed to the first axis;
- a second pivot mechanism that pivots the second blade about a fifth axis, wherein the fifth axis is skewed to the second axis;
- an actuator that translates the first blade and second blade about a third axis;
- and
- a slide mechanism that slides the first blade and second blade along a sixth axis.
A method of using a retractor, comprising:
- making an incision in a tissue of a body;
- providing a retractor;
- rotating a first blade of a retractor about a first axis;
- rotating a second blade about a second axis, wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to the second axis;
- pivoting the first blade about a fourth axis, wherein the fourth axis is skewed to the first axis;
- pivoting the second blade about a fifth axis, wherein the fifth axis is skewed to the second axis;
- and
- positioning a third blade substantially parallel to the first and second blades in a closed position, wherein the first blade, the second blade, and the third blade have a stacked configuration.
A retractor comprising:
- a first blade,
- a first rotation mechanism that is configured to rotate the first blade about a first axis,
- a second blade,
- a second rotation mechanism that is configured to rotate the second blade about a second axis,
- a first pivot mechanism that if configured to pivot the first blade about a fourth axis, wherein the fourth axis is skewed to the first axis;
- a second pivot mechanism that pivots the second blade about a fifth axis, wherein the fifth axis is skewed to the second axis;
- and
- a slide mechanism that is configured to slide the first blade and second blade along a sixth axis.
A method of using a retractor, comprising:
- making an incision in a tissue of a body;
- providing a retractor;
- rotating a first blade of a retractor about a first axis;
- rotating a second blade about a second axis, wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to the second axis;
- pivoting the first blade about a fourth axis, wherein the fourth axis is skewed to the first axis;
- pivoting the second blade about a fifth axis, wherein the fifth axis is skewed to the second axis;
- actuating the retractor such that the first blade and second blade are moved apart from one another along a third axis;
- and
- actuating a slide mechanism such that the first blade and second blade slide along a sixth axis and the incision is stretched along the width of the incision to create an opening wider than the incision.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.