# US 12,758,274 B2 · TLIF distraction and retraction > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,758,274 B2 - Document ID: US12758274B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 19/199,595 - Filed: 2025-05-06 - Published: 2026-03-26 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-05-24 - Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Jared Gelber; Damien Kahmer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12758274B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7079: {Tools requiring anchors to be already mounted on an implanted longitudinal or transverse element, e.g. where said element guides the anchor motion} - A61B 17/0206: {with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements} - A61B 17/708: {with tubular extensions coaxially mounted on the bone anchors} - A61B 2017/0256: {for the spine} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Distractor and retractor systems and methods of using the same. A pedicle-based distractor assembly may include a base supporting a distraction rack, a pair of moveable arms coupled to the distraction rack, a connector at the end of each arm, each connector having a through-opening, and a pair of distractor elements each configured to attach to a pedicle screw. Each distractor element may be positioned through the through-opening in the respective connector. The distractor elements are modular such that different types of distractor elements, such as headless posts, pre-assembled posts, or minimally invasive towers, are interchangeable with the connectors. The assembly may also include a retractor assembly with a medial retractor blade for retracting soft tissue. The medial retractor blade may have one or more translating components at a distal for retracting soft tissue. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for performing pedicle-based surgical distraction, said method comprising: providing pedicle-based distractor and retractor system including: a base configured to be attached to a surgical arm, the base supporting a distraction rack, the distraction rack supporting a pair of side arms and a central arm, each arm comprising a distal end and a proximal end coupled to and moveable along the distraction rack, a connector at the distal end of each side arm, and a pair of distractor elements each engaged with one of the connectors, wherein each distractor element attaches to a pedicle screw and includes a headless post, a pre-assembled post, or a minimally invasive tower, and wherein the distractor elements are modular such that different types of distractor elements are interchangeable with the connectors; and a medial retraction blade assembly coupled to the central arm, wherein the medial retraction blade assembly includes a medial blade body, a blade connector, a first translating component, and a second translating component, wherein the blade connector is coupled to a proximal end of the medial blade body and engages the central arm, wherein the blade connector includes an axial opening, a star grind, and a spring-loaded button, wherein the medial blade body includes a shaft receivable in the axial opening of the blade connector and a star grind corresponding to the star grind of the blade connector, and wherein when locked, the star grinds intermesh and the button engages the shaft of the medial blade body; attaching each distraction elements to a pedicle screw; and engaging soft tissue with the first translating component and the second translating component, wherein each of the first translating component and the second translating component comprise a dovetail feature that engages a corresponding dovetail feature on the medial blade body, and wherein the first and second translating components each independently translate from a first retracted position to a second extended position and are retained in a desired position by fastening a screw through a distal end of the medial blade body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the shaft includes a tapered distal tip with a circumferential groove. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the blade connector further includes a button and the button defines an opening configured to receive the shaft, and when locked, the button locks into the circumferential groove of the shaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the blade connector further includes a wave spring and a washer positioned between the star grind and the button. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the blade connector is a click-in connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the dovetail feature of the first and second translating component is a dovetail slots to engage with and the dovetail feature of the medial blade body is a complementary dovetail projection. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first translating component is disposed adjacent the second translating component. ### Claim 8 A method for performing pedicle-based surgical distraction, said method comprising: providing pedicle-based distractor and retractor system including: a base configured to be attached to a surgical arm, the base supporting a distraction rack, the distraction rack supporting a pair of side arms and a central arm, each arm comprising a distal end and a proximal end coupled to and moveable along the distraction rack, a connector at the distal end of each side arm, and a pair of distractor elements each engaged with one of the connectors, wherein each distractor element attaches to a pedicle screw and includes a headless post, a pre-assembled post, or a minimally invasive tower, and wherein the distractor elements are modular such that different types of distractor elements are interchangeable with the connectors; and a medial retraction blade assembly coupled to the central arm, wherein the medial retraction blade assembly includes a medial blade body, a click-in blade connector, a first translating component, and a second translating component, wherein the click-in blade connector is coupled to a proximal end of the medial blade body and engages the central arm, wherein the click-in blade connector includes an axial opening, a star grind, and a spring-loaded button, wherein the medial blade body includes a shaft receivable in the axial opening of the click-in blade connector and a star grind corresponding to the star grind of the click-in blade connector, and wherein when locked, the star grinds intermesh and the button engages the shaft of the medial blade body; attaching each distraction element to a pedicle screw; and engaging soft tissue with the first translating component and the second translating component, wherein each of the first translating component and the second translating component comprise a dovetail feature that engages a corresponding dovetail feature on the medial blade body, and wherein the first and second translating components each independently translate from a first retracted position to a second extended position and are retained in a desired position by fastening a screw through a distal end of the medial blade body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the shaft includes a tapered distal tip with a circumferential groove. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the click-in blade connector further includes a button and the button defines an opening configured to receive the shaft, and when locked, the button locks into the circumferential groove of the shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the click-in blade connector further includes a wave spring and a washer positioned between the star grind and the button. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the dovetail feature of the first and second translating component is a dovetail slot and the dovetail feature of the medial blade body is a complementary dovetail projection. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the first translating component is disposed adjacent the second translating component.