Back to results
US 12,357,350 B2Granted
Minimally invasive spinal fixation system and related methods
AssigneeNuVasive, Inc.
InventorsFernando Olea, Andrew Schafer, Scott Lish, Robert German, Justin Doose, Derek Matteo, Garrett T. Offerman, James Coleman Lee, Conrad Tyler Hammann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This application describes surgical instruments and implants for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the spinal column. More specifically, the application describes instruments and methods for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the spinal column in a minimally invasive fashion.
Claims15
A minimally invasive surgical retractor comprising:
- a first arm extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof along a first longitudinal axis;
- a second arm configured to couple to the first arm, the second arm extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof along a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis;
- an actuation assembly configured to couple to the first arm and the second arm and further configured to cause the first arm and the second arm to rotate relative to each other about a third longitudinal axis,
- wherein the third longitudinal axis is parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis;
- a first retractor blade configured to couple to the distal end of the first arm;
- a second retractor blade configured to couple to the distal end of the second arm;
- wherein the first arm comprises a first central portion between the proximal end of the first arm and the distal end of the first arm,
- wherein the first central portion comprises a recess formed in an underside of the first arm,
- wherein the first central portion further comprises an aperture formed in the top surface of the first central portion, wherein a lip of the aperture forms an overhang;
- and
- wherein the actuator assembly further comprises an actuator comprising:
- a head configured to be actuated by a drive tool;
- an upper lip configured to contact an upper surface of the overhang;
- a lower lip configured to contact an underside of the overhang;
- and
- a circumferential recess extending between the upper lip and the lower lip,
- wherein the circumferential recess is configured to mate with the aperture.
14 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing a surgical retractor comprising:
- a first arm extending along a first longitudinal axis,
- a second arm extending along a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis,
- an actuation assembly,
- a first retractor blade, and
- a second retractor blade;
- coupling the first arm and the second arm about a third longitudinal axis, wherein the third longitudinal axis is parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis;
- coupling the first retractor blade to a distal end of the first arm;
- coupling the second retractor blade to a distal end of the second arm;
- coupling the actuation assembly to the first and second arms;
- actuating the actuation assembly, thereby causing the first retractor blade and the second retractor blade to rotate relative to each other about the third longitudinal axis;
- wherein the actuation assembly comprises an actuator unit and a mounting unit configured to threadedly couple to the actuator unit, and the actuating the actuation assembly further comprises:
- rotating the actuator unit;
- and
- laterally translating the mounting unit and causing the first arm and the second arm to rotate relative to each other about the third longitudinal axis.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.