Method and instrumentation for implant insertion
AssigneeUnited States Surgical Corporation
InventorsSalvatore Castro, Christine M. Tompkins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laparoscopic surgical retractor for use during a laparoscopic spinal procedure, includes an elongated sleeve member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal opening therethrough and a valve assembly mounted to the proximal end portion of the elongated sleeve member for sealing a surgical instrument introduced within the longitudinal opening of the sleeve member. The distal end portion is configured for insertion at least partially into an intervertebral space between adjacent opposed vertebrae to distract the adjacent vertebrae. A method for inserting a fusion implant with the use of the retractor is also disclosed.
Claims22
A laparoscopic surgical retractor assembly for use during a laparoscopic spinal procedure, which comprises:
- an elongated sleeve member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal opening therethrough, the distal end portion configured for insertion at least partially into an intervertebral space between adjacent opposed vertebrae, the distal end portion including two spaced apart retractor arms having first and second supporting surfaces, each retractor arm defining a dimension between the first and second supporting surfaces sufficient to contact the opposed adjacent vertebrae during insertion thereof to be in supporting engagement therewith;
- and
- a valve assembly mounted to the proximal end portion of the elongated sleeve member for substantially sealing the surgical instrument introduced within the longitudinal opening of the sleeve member.
A laparoscopic surgical retractor for use during a laparoscopic procedure, comprising an elongated sleeve member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal axis, the sleeve member having a longitudinal opening extending therethrough, the distal end portion including two spaced apart retractor arms having first and second supporting surfaces, the first and second supporting surfaces of each retractor arm being laterally spaced with respect to the longitudinal axis sufficient to distract the opposed tissue portion upon insertion thereof, and a retractor housing mounted to the sleeve member and having a seal member associated therewith adapted to prevent egress of insufflation gases in the absence of a surgical instrument.
A method for performing a surgical spinal procedure, comprising the steps of:
- providing a laparoscopic surgical retractor including an elongated member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal opening, the distal end portion including two spaced apart retractor arms having first and second supporting surfaces, the surgical retractor further including a valve assembly mounted to the proximal end portion of the elongated member and having, a valve member associated therewith;
- introducing a surgical instrument within the opening of the surgical retractor whereby the valve member of the value assembly forms a substantially fluid tight seal about an outer surface thereof;
- and
- performing the surgical procedure adjacent the distracted vertebrae with the surgical instrument.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.