Patent ID: 11969359
Assignee: PANTHEON SPINAL, LLC
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A method of positioning a spinal implant into an intervertebral space between the L5 and S1 vertebrae of a subject, comprising:
positioning the subject in a right lateral decubitus position;
creating an anterolateral incision;
establishing an oblique operative corridor in the subject extending from a skin surface to a location proximate an anterolateral portion of the intervertebral space between the L5 and S1 vertebrae, wherein establishing the oblique operative corridor comprises:
inserting a finger into the anterolateral incision;
palpating the subject with the finger in the anterolateral incision;
identifying an iliac vessel of the subject;
identifying the oblique operative corridor to the intervertebral space between the L5 and S1 vertebrae;
inserting a first retractor blade lateralizing a left common iliac vein and a left common iliac artery, the first retractor blade having a distal portion extending away from a central axis of the first retractor blade; and
inserting a second retractor blade lateralizing a right common iliac vein and a right common iliac artery, such that the oblique operative corridor is established;

advancing the spinal implant at least partially into the intervertebral space between the L5 and S1 vertebrae via the oblique operative corridor.