Surgical dilator, retractor and mounting pad
Inventors
Heiges, Bradley A. • Lane, II, David E.
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11272912-B2
Publication Date
2022-03-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A retractor having an elongated body that provides access to a surgical location within a patient. The elongate body includes a plurality of segments that are connected to one another through a plurality of ratcheting mechanisms. The ratcheting mechanisms permit relative movement of the segments with respect to one another when expander dilators are inserted within the retractor. The segments are surrounded and retained by a resilient elastomeric sleeve or bands. The distal end surfaces of the segments include thin edges that are configured to mobilize, dissect, split and retract the terminal tissues in the surgical area. The retractor may be used in conjunction with a shim.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a minimally invasive percutaneous spinal surgery access system for providing access to a surgical location within a patient. The system includes an expandable retractor having an elongated body comprised of a plurality of segments, and the segments are arranged to support radial separation and relative segment movement when cannulated expander dilators are inserted.
The expandable retractor is formed from segments having concave/convex thin edges at a distal end shaped to mobilize, dissect, split, and retract psoas terminal tissues. A final operative dilator having an oblong cross section is rotated about 90 degrees to sweep and split fibers, and expanders and expansion dilators are used to expand the retractor in situ to create and maintain a surgical access portal.
Retention and stabilization are provided by resilient elastomeric sleeves or resilient elastomeric bands retained on the elongated body, enabling relative movement while maintaining retractor positioning. The system further includes a patient-anchoring pad providing friction/adhesion-based stabilization without rigid external fixation, with optional distal vertebral screw fixation, and integrated features for nerve monitoring and illumination, including conductors and fiber optical light tracks, and radiolucent and radio-opaque markers.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim provides access to a surgical location in a patient using an elongated multi-segment body with oppositely arranged elongated members in two different planes, each member having stepped surfaces and recessed channels that selectively engage to provide radial separation. Dependent claims refine the system by adding accessory components and structural specifications for engagement, expansion, and stabilization.
Multi-segment elongated body with oppositely arranged member pairs in different oriented planes
The elongated body is comprised of a plurality of segments, including a first pair of elongated members arranged oppositely about a first plane and a second pair of elongated members arranged oppositely about a second plane with a different orientation about a longitudinal axis than the first plane.
Stepped surfaces and recessed channels configured for selective engagement
Each elongated member includes stepped surfaces and a recessed channel running parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second pairs of elongated members are selectively engaged to provide radial separation along each plane.
Recessed channel engaging member and corresponding stepped surfaces
The second pair of elongated members includes a third elongated member having an inner surface having stepped surfaces and a recessed channel engaging member, and a fourth elongated member having an inner surface having stepped surfaces and a recessed channel engaging member.
Shim with body length greater than the elongated body length
A shim configured with a body length greater than the length of an elongated body.
Two or more dilators for expanding the elongated body
The device includes two or more dilators that expand the elongated body when inserted into it.
Anchoring device frictionally engaged to an elastomeric pad
The system is configured with an anchoring device connecting an elongated body to an elastomeric pad so the elongated body is frictionally engaged and firmly anchored in a position fixed relative to the patient.
Hand-operated tool with retractor-engaging member having an opening
A hand-operated tool includes an elongated portion and opposing ends, wherein the second end is a retractor-engaging member having an opening.
Stepped surfaces extending along the full proximal-to-distal length
Each stepped surface runs along the full length of the elongated segments from a proximal end to a distal end.
Overall claim coverage is directed to a multi-segment access system in which oppositely arranged member pairs in two different oriented planes selectively engage using stepped surfaces and recessed channels to provide radial separation. Dependent claim refinements include a shim with a longer body length than the elongated body, expansion using two or more dilators, friction/adhesion anchoring with an elastomeric pad, accessory elements including a hand-operated tool with an opening, and defined structural extent of stepped surfaces from proximal to distal ends.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?