Two-stage spinal access channel with psoas docking

A method for creating a sequence of access channels to provide access for performing a surgical process within an intervertebral disc space in a lumbar spine;

• the method comprising:
• positioning a patient to facilitate surgical access to the lumbar spine;
• creating a pre-psoas access channel to a psoas muscle;
• docking a retractor device against a proximal surface of the psoas muscle;
• and
• maintaining the pre-psoas access channel with the retractor device docked at the proximal surface of the psoas muscle until completing a surgical process on the intervertebral disc space in the lumbar spine;
• making a direct visual inspection of the psoas muscle and selecting a portion of the psoas muscle for an incision while avoiding any visible nerves;
• while continuing to look for and avoid visible nerves, splitting the psoas muscle to create and maintain a psoas access channel that extends from the pre-psoas access channel to the lumbar spine;
• holding open the psoas access channel with a pair of retractor blades spread apart to a separation distance and then mechanically and reversibly held in spread apart by the separation distance;
• completing a surgical process on the intervertebral disc space in the lumbar spine;
• reducing the separation distance between the retractor blades;
• and
• removing the pair of retractor blades from the psoas access channel.