Curvilinear spinal access method and device

A system for performing a procedure at a surgical site of the spine of a patient, comprising:

• a curvilinear access device having a distal end configured to be disposed at the surgical site and a proximal end disposed away from the surgical site, the curvilinear access device comprising:
• a slide having a channel with an open top;
• and
• a movable top sized to cover the open top of the channel forming an expandable working portal with a proximal end and a distal end;
• wherein the movable top is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the movable top blocks direct visualization between the proximal end and the distal end of the expandable working portal and in the open position movement of the movable top results in direct visualization from the proximal end to the distal end of the expandable working portal;
• and
• at least one surgical tool configured to pass through the working channel in the open position to the surgical site to perform the surgical procedure.

A method for performing a surgical procedure on the spine of a patient, the method comprising:

• advancing a distal end of a curvilinear access device at a surgical site located at the spine of the patient, the curvilinear access device comprising:
• a slide having a channel with an open top;
• and
• a movable top sized to cover the open top of the channel forming an expandable working portal with a proximal end and a distal end;
• wherein the movable top is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the movable top blocks direct visualization between the proximal end and the distal end of the expandable working portal and in the open position movement of the movable top results in direct visualization from the proximal end to the distal end of the expandable working portal;
• moving the movable top from the closed to the open position;
• directly viewing the surgical site through working portal;
• and
• advancing at least one surgical tool and/or at least one implant toward the surgical site via the working portal to perform the surgical procedure.

A device for performing a procedure on the spine of a patient, comprising:

• a working portal configured to be advanced toward a surgical site of the spine of the patient;
• the working portal comprising:
• a distal end and a proximal end;
• a working portal housing having an interior channel with an open top disposed between the distal end and the proximal end;
• a movable top configured to be secured to the working portal housing;
• the distal end is configured to be disposed at the surgical site and the proximal end is disposed away from the surgical site;
• the housing has a curved shape defined between the proximal end and the distal end;
• the movable top is configured to cover the open top of the interior channel of the working portal housing;
• and
• the working channel is configured to allow advancement of at least one surgical tool and/or at least one implant toward the surgical site.

A method for performing a surgical procedure on the spine of a patient, the method comprising:

• advancing a working portal toward a surgical site located at the spine of the patient;
• the working portal comprising:
• a distal end and a proximal end;
• a working portal housing having an interior channel with an open top disposed between the distal end and the proximal end;
• a movable top configured to be secured to the working portal housing;
• the distal end is configured to be disposed at the surgical site and the proximal end is disposed away from the surgical site;
• the movable top is configured to cover the open top of the interior channel of the working portal housing;
• the housing has a curved shape defined between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the proximal end is disposed at an angle with respect to the distal end;
• and
• advancing at least one surgical tool and/or at least one implant toward the surgical site via the working channel to perform the procedure.

A method for performing a surgical procedure on a patient, the method comprising:

• advancing a curvilinear access device to a surgical site, the curvilinear access device having an expandable working portal with a movable top, the movable top being movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the movable top blocks direct visualization between the proximal end and the distal end of the expandable working portal and in the open position movement of the movable top results in direct visualization from the proximal end to the distal end of the expandable working portal;
• moving the movable top from the closed to the open position;
• directly viewing the surgical site through working portal;
• and
• advancing at least one surgical tool toward the surgical site via the working portal to perform the procedure.