Anterior cervical distractor system and technique

A distractor device comprising:

• a distraction assembly comprising an elongated body having a first end and a second opposing end, a plurality of distraction members positioned at or near the first end;
• said plurality of distraction members including at least one first distracting member and one second distracting member, said first distraction member and said second distraction member each including a plurality of expansion members, said expansion members having a first end slideably engaged with said first distraction member of said plurality of distraction members and a second end fixedly engaged with said second distraction member of said plurality of distraction members, said first distracting member and said second distracting member configured to engage with portions of adjacent vertebral bodies in a closed, non-distraction position, and when separated in an open, distracted position, provide a mechanism to move one vertebral body relative to the other adjacent vertebral body;
• and a distraction assembly actuating mechanism configured to actuate said distracting members between a first closed position and a second distracted position;
• and
• a centering component assembly comprising a first positioning member configured to aid in positioning said elongated body in place and a second positioning member configured to aid in positioning said elongated body in place, and a centering component assembly actuating mechanism configured to actuate said first positioning member and said second positioning member between a retracted and non-retracted position.

A system for use in surgical procedures to correct spinal deformities comprising:

• a distractor device comprising a distraction assembly having an elongated body having a first end and a second opposing end, a plurality of distraction members positioned at or near the first end;
• said plurality of distraction members including a first distracting member and a second distracting member, said first distraction member and said second distraction member each including a plurality of expansion members, said expansion members having a first end slideably engaged with said first distraction member and a second end fixedly engaged with said second distraction member, said first distracting member and said second distracting member configured to engage with portions of adjacent vertebral bodies in a closed, non-distraction position, and when separated in an open, distracted position, provide a mechanism to move one vertebral body relative to the other adjacent vertebral body;
• and a distraction assembly actuating mechanism configured to actuate said first and second distracting members between a first closed, non-distraction position and a second open, distracted position;
• and a centering component assembly comprising a plurality of positioning members configured to aid in positioning said elongated body in place, and a centering component assembly actuating mechanism configured to actuate said pair of positioning members between a first retracted and non-retracted position;
• and
• a spinal plate having a plurality of openings to engage a plurality of bone screws.