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-8870760-B2
Publication Date
2014-10-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A retractor having an elongate 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 is used in conjunction with a resilient elastomeric pad that is affixed to the patient and firmly engages the outer surface of the elongate body to thereby anchor the retractor to the patient. A separate anchoring device can be used to connect the retractor to the pad.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an operative dilator adapted for engagement with a device for providing access to a surgical location within a patient. The operative dilator includes an elongated body with a central passageway extending the entire length from an upper proximate end to an opposing lower distal end. The elongated body has an outer wall adapted to conform to an inner surface of a retractor device having a similar configuration as the outer wall.
The elongated body outer wall is formed from a contiguous elongated body outer surface including a first pair of opposing semi elliptical surfaces spanning the length of the elongated body from the proximal end to the opposing distal end and a second pair of opposing semi elliptical surfaces spanning the length of the elongated body from the proximal end to the opposing distal end. Together, the first pair and the second pair of opposing semi elliptical surfaces form the contiguous elongated body outer surface that conforms to the retractor device.
The described system further provides distal and proximal features for interfacing with a surgical anatomy, including anatomically shaped concave and convex distal thin edges and a distal tip configured for engagement at a spine component and over a spinal disc–endplate interface. Rotation capability is associated with differences between the first and second pairs of opposing semi elliptical surfaces that engage a complementary annular surface on a hand-operated tool, enabling rotation of at least 90 degrees from an initial insertion point after insertion into a patient.
The problems described are associated with improving access and mobilization at a spinal surgical location while reducing muscle creep and the need to cut/cauterize, and improving visualization through patient-based anchoring using an elastomeric sleeve/bands and a resilient elastomeric/friction pad. Additional structures referenced in the partial content include optional radio-radiolucent materials, radiopaque markers, illumination/markers, and nerve monitoring conductors.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim identified in the provided material is clm-00001. The claims coverage is organized around an elongated operative dilator with a central passageway and an outer wall formed by contiguous pairs of opposing semi-elliptical surfaces configured to conform to a retractor device, with dependent claims refining rotation and distal/proximal interface geometry, particularly for spine components and a spinal disc–spinal endplate interface.
Elongated operative dilator with central passageway and conforming outer wall
An operative dilator having an elongated body with a central passageway extending the entire length, where an outer wall conforms to an inner surface of a retractor device having a similar configuration, the outer wall including first and second pairs of opposing semi elliptical surfaces forming a contiguous elongated body outer surface.
Rotation engagement via differing semi-elliptical surface pairs and complementary annular surface
The first pair of opposing semi elliptical surfaces and the second pair of opposing semi elliptical surfaces have different cross sections that engage a complementary annular surface on a hand operated tool, allowing the elongate body to rotate at least 90 degrees from an initial insertion point after insertion into a patient.
Distal end configured to engage spine components
A surgical operative dilator in which the distal end is configured to engage at least one component of a spine.
Anatomically concave distal tip over spinal disc–spinal endplate interface
A dilator where the distal tip forms an anatomically concave shape extending over a spinal disc–spinal endplate interface.
Thin tapered distal end with paired concave and convex surfaces
A distal end that tapers to a thin distal end surface shaped by two opposing concave surfaces connected to two opposing convex surfaces.
Planar upper proximal edge orthogonal to the elongated body outer surface
An upper proximal end having a generally planar upper edge surface formed orthogonally to the elongated body’s outer surface.
Across the independent and listed dependent claims, the inventive coverage centers on the dilator outer wall geometry formed by contiguous opposing semi-elliptical surface pairs that conform to a retractor device and support rotation engagement with a complementary annular surface on a hand-operated tool, together with distal/proximal geometry tailored for spine component interfaces, including an anatomically concave distal tip over a spinal disc–spinal endplate interface and a planar upper edge orthogonal to the outer surface.
Stated Advantages
Reducing muscle creep.
Reducing the need to cut/cauterize.
Improving visualization through patient-based anchoring.
Documented Applications
Access to a surgical location within a patient, including interfacing with spine components at a spine surgical location and over a spinal disc–spinal endplate interface.
Use of an access device for providing access to a surgical location within a patient in orthopedic/spinal surgical contexts involving terminal psoas fibers.
Interested in licensing this patent?