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US 8,409,087 B2Granted
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.
Claims14
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;
- wherein said first and second elongate troughs extend along respective first and second elongate axes and said first and second fasteners are extendable generally parallel to respective said first and second elongate axes;
- wherein said first and second fasteners are each releasably disposed on their respective said trough;
- wherein each of said first and second fasteners are each rotatably disposed on their respective said trough;
- wherein each of said first and second fasteners includes an elongate shank portion and each of said first and second troughs includes an elongate slideway adapted to receive a respective said fastener;
- wherein each of said slideways includes a slit extending along its length, and wherein each said shank portion has a cross-sectional profile configured such that said shank may be rotatably aligned with a respective said slit whereby said fastener may be released from its respective said trough.
5 more elements
A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a first elongate trough including a first extendable fastener;
- and
- a second elongate trough including a second extendable fastener, and 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;
- rotating each of said fasteners relative to its respective said trough in order to disengage said fasteners from said troughs;
- disengaging said fasteners from said troughs;
- and
- removing said troughs.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.