Minimally open retraction device
AssigneeK2M, Inc.
InventorsKevin R. Strauss, Josef E. Gorek, Larry E. McClintock, John Kostuik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractor having a pair of blades is disclosed. A ring having an opening is attached to one end of the blades. The blades define a channel therebetween. The blades may be pivotally coupled to the ring. The retractor may have at least two conditions. In a first condition, the retractor is insertable through an incision in a patient's skin to an operative site. In a second condition, the retractor may be manipulated for retracting tissue surrounding the operative site. Instruments, prostheses, or tissue may be inserted or removed through the channel of the retractor.
Claims17
A method for retracting tissue proximate a spine of a patient comprising:
- attaching a first pedicle screw to a first vertebral body of the patient;
- attaching a second pedicle screw to a second vertebral body of the patient;
- inserting a distal end of a retractor blade through an incision in the patient's skin;
- retracting tissue to at least partially define a working channel extending proximally from an operative site proximate to an interbody space between the first and second vertebrae;
- securing the retractor blade to the first and second pedicle screws via an intervening structure;
- and
- removing the retractor blade at the end of a surgical procedure such that the first and second pedicle screws remain attached to the first and second vertebral bodies,
- wherein the steps of attaching the first and second pedicle screws to the respective first and second vertebral bodies includes percutaneously inserting the first and second pedicle screws through the skin, and
- wherein percutaneously inserting the first and second pedicle screws through the skin includes inserting the first and second pedicle screws with respective first and second minimally invasive retractors assembled thereto.
A method for retracting tissue proximate a spine of a patient comprising:
- attaching a first pedicle screw to a first vertebral body of the patient;
- attaching a second pedicle screw to a second vertebral body of the patient;
- and
- securing a retractor blade to the first and second pedicle screws via an intervening structure such that the retractor blade is positioned between the first and second pedicle screws to at least partially define a working channel extending proximally through tissue from an operative site proximate to an interbody space between the first and second vertebrae;
- and
- wherein the steps of attaching the first and second pedicle screws to the respective first and second vertebral bodies includes percutaneously inserting the first and second pedicle screws through the skin, and
- wherein percutaneously inserting the first and second pedicle screws through the skin includes inserting the first and second pedicle screws with respective first and second minimally invasive retractors assembled thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.