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US 12,708,357 B2Granted
Surgical shim
AssigneeNuVasive, Inc.
InventorsKelli Lynch, Stephanie Hagan, Michael Brotman, Alejandro R. De La Rosa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractor includes retractor blades and one or more shims coupled to one or more of the retractor blades. The shims can include features configured to fasten the shim to vertebral anatomy. Such features can facilitate the use a K-wire or barbed features. Example disclosed shim designs include those featuring a K-wire feature, a barbed feature, and a K-wire with barb design.
Claims16
A surgical shim comprising:
- a front surface;
- a back surface opposite the front surface;
- a retractor connector;
- a first side;
- a second side opposite the first side;
- a barb disposed proximate the second side;
- and
- a guide extending from the front surface, wherein the guide defines:
- a proximal opening;
- a distal opening disposed proximate the first side;
- a path from the proximal opening to the distal opening;
- and
- a back opening extending through the front surface and the back surface.
10 more elements
A method comprising:
- advancing a surgical shim into a disc space such that a portion of a guide of the surgical shim is in an intervertebral space;
- advancing a K-wire into a proximal end opening of the guide;
- advancing the K-wire through the guide and out a distal opening of the guide;
- and
- wedging the K-wire in a curved section of the guide;
- placing a retractor blade of a retractor at a target surgical location;
- attaching the surgical shim to the retractor blade;
- expanding an operative corridor with the retractor;
- and
- performing a procedure through the operative corridor,
- wherein attaching the surgical shim to the retractor blade is performed such that a back opening of the guide is at least partially blocked by the retractor blade.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.