# US 12,758,205 B2 · Dilator for spinal surgery

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,758,205 B2
- Document ID: US12758205B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/834,975
- Filed: 2023-02-07
- Published: 2025-05-15
- Granted: 2026-10-13
- Earliest claimed: 2022-02-07
- Assignees: Hoogland Spine Products GmbH; Christian Rudolf Morgenstern De Muller; Rudolf Morgenstern Lopez
- Applicants: Hoogland Spine Products GmbH; Christian Rudolf Morgenstern De Muller; Rudolf Morgenstern Lopez
- Inventors: Christian Rudolf Morgenstern De Muller; Rudolf Morgenstern Lopez
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12758205B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/025: {Joint distractors}
- A61B 2017/0262: {with a provision for protecting nerves}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

Dilator for percutaneous spinal surgery which comprises a main elongate dilator body and an elongate shield for protecting the nerve root, the main dilator body and the shield each comprising mutually complementary contact surfaces and in which the main body and the shield define a transverse cross section of the dilator, it being possible for the main body and the shield to slide one relative to the other along an axial axis of the dilator, the dilator also comprising a through-hole for receiving a guide rod, characterised in that said hole is placed eccentrically with respect to a combined transverse cross section of the main body and of the shield.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A dilator for percutaneous spinal surgery with a transforaminal approach, the dilator comprising:
a main elongate dilator body having an outer portion, the outer portion comprising a recess; and
an elongate nerve shield for protecting a nerve root, the shield having a curved laminar shape comprising an inner surface and an outer surface parallel to one another to form a slender body;
the main body and the shield each comprising mutually complementary contact surfaces and in which the main body and the shield define a transverse cross section of the dilator having a continuous elliptical shape, the main body configured to receive the shield in the recess to slide relative to each other along an axial axis of the dilator, the dilator further comprising a through hole enclosed by the main body extending through the dilator for receiving a guide cable, wherein the through hole is placed eccentrically with respect to the transverse cross section of the dilator, and wherein the main body comprises an equal or larger dimension than the shield along the axial axis of the dilator.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The dilator according to claim 1, wherein a transverse cross section of the main body is oblong or elongate in shape, the shield being arranged on one of elongate faces of the transverse cross section of the main body.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The dilator according to claim 2, wherein said faces have a curved shape.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The dilator according to claim 1, wherein a transverse cross section of the shield has a central area of constant thickness.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The dilator according to claim 1, wherein the shield has no recesses for interlocking with the main body.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The dilator according to claim 1, wherein the shield has no projections for interlocking with the main body.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The dilator according to claim 1, wherein both the shield and the main body comprise a retainer to restrict relative movement between the main body and the shield, the retainer of the shield being situated at both ends of a transverse cross section of the shield.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The dilator according to claim 7, wherein said retainer of the shield further comprises a shape of both ends which have a curved shape.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A kit of tools for percutaneous spinal operations by a transforaminal approach, wherein the kit comprises the dilator according to claim 1.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The kit according to claim 9, further comprising a drill bit.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The kit according to claim 9, further comprising the guide cable.