US 2011/0087074 A1 · Surgical retractor system

Abstract

A surgical retractor system includes a first retractor and a second retractor. The first retractor comprises a first working channel for receiving a tool therethrough. The second retractor is capable of being advanced through the first working channel, and its proximal end is positioned in the vicinity of the distal end of the first retractor. The second retractor includes a second working channel for receiving a tool therethrough. In another aspect, a method for accessing a surgical site comprises inserting a first retractor into a first tissue, advancing a second retractor through a first working channel in the first retractor, and inserting the second retractor into a second tissue to retract the second tissue, with the distal end of the first retractor remaining in the vicinity of the proximal end of the second retractor sufficiently to allow access to the target tissue by a surgical tool. A tool for operating a second retractor located distally in a first retractor is described. The use of the system for surgery of the spine is described.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A surgical retractor system comprising a pair of retractors, the system comprising:

a first retractor, which may be any retractor allowing passage through its interior, said first retractor having a proximal end and a distal end, and said first retractor having a first working channel therethrough;
and
a second retractor, which may be any retractor allowing passage through its interior, said second retractor having a proximal end and a distal end, and said second retractor having a second working channel therethrough;
wherein the second retractor is dimensioned to be insertable through the first working channel, and
wherein the proximal end of the second retractor is positionable in the vicinity of the first retractor distal end;
whereby at least one surgical procedure can be conducted, through said retractor system having a combination of said first working channel and said second working channel, upon tissue accessible through the distal end of said second working channel.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Surgical retractor system

Life of this patent

Surgical retractor system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35