Patent ID: 11911078
Assignee: NUVASIVE, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A system comprising:
a first pedicle screw having a first pedicle screw head;
a first retractor blade defining an aperture, wherein the aperture is configured to selectively transition between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration and wherein, while the aperture is in the locked configuration, the aperture is sized to prevent passage of the first pedicle screw head through the aperture;
a retractor having a first arm and a second arm;
a second retractor blade, wherein the first retractor blade is configured to be coupled to the first arm and wherein the second retractor blade configured to be coupled to the second arm;
wherein the first retractor blade defines a first retractor blade distal end and a first retractor blade proximal end;
wherein the second retractor blade defines a second retractor blade distal end and a second retractor blade proximal end;
wherein the aperture is disposed proximate the first retractor blade distal end;
wherein the first retractor blade is configured to be coupled to the first arm proximate the first retractor blade proximal end;
wherein the second retractor blade is configured to be coupled to the second arm proximate the second retractor blade proximal end;
wherein a proximal distance is defined between the first retractor blade proximal end and the second retractor blade proximal end; and
wherein the system further comprises:
an expander configured to increase or decrease the proximal distance.