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US 2011/0034777 A1Published application
Expandable retractor and methods incorporating the same
AssigneeLanx, Inc.
InventorsChristopher Ames, Gregory Causey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical instrument, generally in the form of an expandable elongate conduit, for use as a distractor and/or retractor. The conduit generally includes a first elongate trough and a second elongate trough movable between an expanded state and a collapsed state wherein the second trough is nestable with the first trough. The first and second troughs may be fastened to vertebrae to facilitate distraction and/or compression of the vertebrae relative to one another.
Claims21
A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a first elongate trough movable between an expanded state and a collapsed state including a first fastener extendably disposed thereon;
- and
- a second elongate trough movable between an expanded state and a collapsed state wherein said second trough is nestable with said first trough, said second elongate trough including a second fastener extendably disposed thereon.
A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a first elongate trough;
- and
- a second elongate trough including a plurality of panels pivotably joined to each other and movable between a collapsed state wherein said second trough is nestable with said first trough and an expanded state wherein said first and second troughs cooperate to form a conduit therebetween.
A method for distracting adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
- inserting an expandable conduit proximate the adjacent vertebrae, wherein said conduit comprises first and second troughs, each said first and second trough including an extendable fastener;
- extending said fasteners into adjacent vertebrae thereby temporarily securing each said trough to an associated one of said adjacent vertebrae;
- expanding the conduit by urging said first and second troughs away from each other wherein the adjacent vertebrae are distracted from each other;
- disengaging said fasteners from said troughs;
- and
- removing said troughs.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.