Patent ID: 11889999
Assignee: NUVASIVE, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 14:
15. A method comprising:
providing a frame defining a groove;
sliding a foot of a carriage into the groove;
disposing a retractor in an incision of a patient;
holding a blade post of the retractor in a blade holder of the carriage;
tensioning, with a tensioner of the carriage, a compression cap against the blade holder, such that a lower surface of the compression cap interfaces with an upper portion of the blade holder;
advancing a locking cap along a column of the carriage toward the compression cap to lock the carriage; and
advancing the locking cap away from the compression cap to unlock the carriage, and
wherein the blade holder and the compression cap have a common vertical axis.