# US 7,226,413 B2 · Nerve root retractor and sucker > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,226,413 B2 - Document ID: US7226413B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/715,684 - Filed: 2003-11-17 - Published: 2005-05-19 - Granted: 2007-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2003-11-17 - Assignees: Aeolin, LLC - Inventors: Laurence M. McKinley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7226413B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/025: {Joint distractors} - A61B 2017/0256: {for the spine} - A61B 2017/0262: {with a provision for protecting nerves} - A61B 2017/306: {holding by means of suction} - Y10S 604/902: Suction wands - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract An ergonomically and functionally improved combination nerve root retractor and sucker device, system, and methods of using such a nerve root retractor and sucker are provided. The nerve root retractor and sucker of the current invention having an adjustable geometry nerve root retractor/sucker shaft. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A nerve root retractor and sucker comprising: a handle having proximal and distal ends, a nerve root retractor/sucker shaft having a proximal open end and a distal open end and defining a central passage therebetween, wherein the proximal end of the shaft is connected to the distal end of the handle, and wherein the angle between the shaft and the axis of the handle may be controllably and fixedly varied along at least one axis; a suction source in fluid communication with the distal opening of the shaft, wherein one or both of the handle and shaft define a suction fluid path between the suction source and the distal opening; at least one suction control vent disposed along the suction fluid path such that closing the at least one vent increases the level of suction at the distal opening, and such that opening the at least one vent decreases the level of suction at the distal opening; and a retractor blade disposed immediately proximate to the distal end of the shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the angle of the shaft to the handle may be varied polyaxially. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the angle of the shaft may be varied in at least a 60 degree arc. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the shaft is connected to the handle in a lockable ball and socket arrangement. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the connection between the shaft and handle forms an airtight connection. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the shaft is detachably connected to the handle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the handle has distal and proximal openings and defines a hollow passage therebetween, and wherein the proximal opening is in fluid communication with the suction source and the distal opening is in fluid communication with the proximal opening of the shaft. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 7, wherein the at least one suction control vent is disposed on the handle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, having at least two suction control vents. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 9, wherein the at least two suction control vents have different diameters. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the shaft is made of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, plastic, and titanium. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the shaft is made of a material that is malleable at room temperature. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the shaft has a length between about 80 and about 220 mm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the retractor blade has a width of about 5 to about 10 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the distal end of the shaft forms about a 135 degree angle with the proximal end of the shaft. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the handle includes a non-slip surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the retractor blade is detachably connected to the shaft. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the retractor blade is made of a malleable material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the length and width of the retractor blade is variable. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 1, wherein the shaft is a compound shape comprising a first straight portion interconnected between the distal end of the handle and the proximal end of a second straight portion through two angled regions such that the axis of the two straight portions are parallel, wherein the axes of the two straight portions form angles of less than 180 degrees with the axis of the handle. ### Claim 21 A nerve root retractor and sucker system comprising: a handle having proximal and distal ends, a plurality of nerve root retractor/sucker shafts each having a proximal open end and a distal open end and defining a central passage therebetween, wherein the proximal end of each shaft may be detachably connected to the distal end of the handle, and wherein the axis along the distal end of each of the shafts and has a length of between about 80 and 220 mm, and wherein the angle between the shaft and the axis of the handle may be controllably and fixedly varied along at least one axis; a suction source in fluid communication with the distal opening of the attached shaft, wherein one or both of the handle and shaft define a suction fluid path between the suction source and the distal opening; at least one suction control vent disposed along the suction fluid path such that closing the at least one vent increases the level of suction at the distal opening, and such that opening the at least one vent decreases the level of suction at the distal opening; and a retractor blade disposed immediately proximate to the distal end of each of the plurality of shafts, wherein the length of at least two of the plurality of shafts are different. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 21, wherein at least one of the length and width of the retractor blade of at least two of the plurality of shafts are different. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The nerve root retractor and sucker described in claim 21, wherein at least one of the shafts is a compound shape comprising a first straight portion interconnected between the distal end of the handle and the proximal end of a second straight portion through two angled regions such that the axis of the two straight portions are parallel, wherein the axes of the two straight portions form angles of less than 180 degrees with the axis of the handle.