# US 10,499,894 B2 · Orthopedic surgical system including surgical access systems, distraction systems, and methods of using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,499,894 B2 - Document ID: US10499894B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/638,433 - Filed: 2017-06-30 - Published: 2017-10-19 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2015-08-12 - Assignees: K2M, Inc. - Applicants: K2M, Inc. - Inventors: Keenan O'Brien - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499894B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/0206: {with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements} - A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/025: {Joint distractors} - A61B 17/151: {for corrective osteotomy} - A61B 17/7077: {for moving bone anchors attached to vertebrae, thereby displacing the vertebrae} - A61B 17/0293: {with ring member to support retractor elements} - A61B 90/57: Accessory clamps - A61B 2017/00407: {Ratchet means} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/0256: {for the spine} - A61B 2017/681: {Alignment, compression, or distraction mechanisms} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A surgical access system includes a connector including an arm having first and second end portions, a coupling element having a body portion defining a cavity therein, and a gear assembly. The gear assembly includes a first gear disposed within the cavity of the coupling element and a second gear non-rotatably disposed at the first end portion of the arm. The first and second gears are meshingly engaged with each other such that rotation of the first gear results in rotation of the second gear which, in turn, causes the arm to pivot with respect to the coupling element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical access system comprising: a beam; a first support operably coupled to the beam; and a first connector operably connected to the first support, the first connector including: an arm including a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the second end portion of the arm includes a cavity having a receiving element disposed therein, the receiving element including an engaging portion movable between a locked state and an unlocked state; a coupling element including a body portion defining a cavity therein; and a gear assembly including a first gear disposed within the cavity of the coupling element and a second gear non-rotatably disposed at the first end portion of the arm, the first and second gears meshingly engaged with each other such that rotation of the first gear results in rotation of the second gear which, in turn, causes the arm to pivot with respect to the coupling element; and a first retractor blade including a planar portion, the planar portion including a protruding portion releasably engaged with the engaging portion of the receiving element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical access system according to claim 1, wherein the first gear includes a head portion and an elongated threaded body portion terminating at a distal end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The surgical access system according to claim 2, wherein an opening of the cavity is defined in a front surface of the coupling element, and the head portion of the first gear is accessible through the opening for rotating the first gear. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The surgical access system according to claim 2, wherein the first gear is a worm screw. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical access system according to claim 1, wherein the second gear includes a rounded body portion having a toothed outer surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The surgical access system according to claim 5, wherein the second gear is a worm wheel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical access system according to claim 1, wherein the first retractor blade further includes a blade portion, the planar and blade portions extending along different planes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The surgical access device according to claim 7, further including: a second support operably coupled to the beam; a second connector operably connected to the second support; and a second retractor blade releasably engaged to the second connector. ### Claim 9 A surgical access system comprising: a first support; a second support; a cross bar interconnecting the first and second supports; and a first connector operably connected to the cross bar, the first connector including: an arm including a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the second end portion of the arm includes a cavity having a receiving element disposed therein, the receiving element including an engaging portion movable along a receiving axis; a coupling element including a body portion defining a cavity therein; and a gear assembly including a first gear disposed within the cavity of the coupling element and a second gear non-rotatably disposed at the first end portion of the arm, the first and second gears meshingly engaged with each other such that rotation of the first gear results in rotation of the second gear which, in turn, causes the arm to pivot with respect to the coupling element about a pivot axis that is parallel to the receiving axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The surgical access system according to claim 9, wherein the first gear includes a head portion, an elongated threaded body portion, and a tail portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The surgical access system according to claim 10, wherein a first opening of the cavity is defined in a front surface of the coupling element, and the head portion of the first gear is accessible through the first opening for rotating the first gear. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The surgical access system according to claim 10, wherein the first gear is a worm screw. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The surgical access system according to claim 9, wherein the second gear includes a rounded body portion having a toothed outer surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The surgical access system according to claim 13, wherein the second gear is a worm wheel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The surgical access system according to claim 9, wherein the second gear is integrally formed on the first end portion of the arm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The surgical access system according to claim 9, wherein the engaging portion is movable between a locked state and an unlocked state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The surgical access system according to claim 16, further including: a first retractor blade including: a planar portion including a protruding portion having a grooved defined therein, the protruding portion releasably engaged with the engaging portion of the receiving element; and a blade portion, the planar and blade portions extending along different planes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The surgical access device according to claim 17, further including a second connector operably connected to the cross bar.