Retractor and method for spinal pedicle screw placement
AssigneeDePuy Spine, Inc.
InventorStephen Ritland
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
To avoid traditional muscle dissection required in the placement of a screw for a pedicle screw fixation, a retractor is provided having a guide of an appropriate length to provide access from the skin surface to the dorsal aspect of the vertebra over the pedicle. The retractor has a handle to provide appropriate holding leverage and to maintain the guide so as to stabilize the guide against the lateral aspects of the facet with the paraspinous musculature. The retractor has a channel of an appropriate size to accommodate a variety of tools, including a drill bit or a tap. The channel also provides a pathway for a probe or feeler to inspect the placement of the screw. A tool groove may be provided in the channel to support the shaft of a tool, such as a tap.
Claims21
A retractor especially adapted for placement of a pedicle screw within a patient, comprising:
- a guide portion having a u-shaped guide channel extending longitudinally therealong, said guide portion including a first end, a second end, and a tool groove inset relative to an interior back surface of the u-shaped guide channel;
- a handle connected angularly with respect to said first end of said guide portion.
A retractor for placement of a pedicle screw, comprising:
- a guide portion including a guide channel having an interior back surface and a tool groove having a back surface inset relative to said interior back surface;
- an insert configured to fit within said guide channel, said insert having a hollow bore extending lengthwise therethrough, said bore having a diameter sized to accommodate a tool inserted therethrough;
- and
- means for stabilizing said insert within said guide channel.
A surgical retractor for guiding implantation of a pedicle screw within a patient's spine, comprising:
- a guide portion having a u-shaped guide channel, said u-shaped guide channel sized to accommodate a pedicle screw for implanting in the patient, said guide portion having a distal end and a tool groove at a proximal end, and grooves formed on said u-shaped guide channel adapted to receive an insert;
- and
- means for stabilizing the distal end of said guide portion against a lateral aspect of a facet of a paraspinous musculature of the patient.
A method for preparing a vertebra, comprising:
- placing a retractor through a skin incision, the retractor including a u-shaped guide channel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tool groove formed in an interior back surface;
- placing a tool through the u-shaped guide channel to position a shaft of the tool within the tool groove;
- and
- manipulating the tool while maintaining contact between the shaft and the tool groove.
A surgical retractor, comprising:
- a guide portion having a u-shaped guide channel adapted to accommodate a pedicle screw for implanting in a patient, said guide portion having a tool groove having a back surface inset relative to a interior back surface of the guide portion;
- and
- a handle connected to a first end of the guide portion.
A surgical retractor for guiding implantation of a pedicle screw within a patient's a spine, comprising:
- a guide portion having a u-shaped guide channel, said u-shaped guide channel sized to accommodate a pedicle screw for implanting in the patient, said guide portion having proximal and distal ends and a tool groove extending from the proximal end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.