Patent ID: 9561059
Date: 2017-02-07
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A method for minimally invasive release of a facet capsule during spinal surgery, comprising the steps of: advancing a k-wire into each of a superior pedicle and an inferior pedicle; advancing an initial dilator over the k-wire anchored in the inferior pedicle; advancing at least one additional dilator over the initial dilator; advancing a working corridor instrument over the at least one additional dilators the working corridor instrument comprising a tissue retractor having a translating medial blade, a cranial blade and a caudal blade; leaving the k-wire anchored in the inferior pedicle while removing each of the initial dilator and the at least one additional dilator to create an operative corridor with the distal end of the working corridor instrument defining an exposure over the inferior pedicle; adjusting the position of the working corridor instrument by moving the medial retractor blade away from at least one of the cranial retractor blade or the caudal retractor blade such that the exposure defined by the distal end of the working corridor moves to expose the facet joint; releasing the facet capsule; advancing a minimally invasive pedicle screw over the k-wire in the inferior pedicle and anchoring the pedicle screw into the inferior pedicle; advancing a minimally invasive pedicle screw over the k-wire in the superior pedicle and anchoring the pedicle screw into the superior pedicle; connecting the pedicle screw in the inferior pedicle and the pedicle screw in the superior pedicle with a connecting rod.