Patent ID: 9737288
Date: 2017-08-22
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61F

Claim:
1. A surgical system comprising: a retractor system comprising a first retractor blade, a second retractor blade, and a third retractor blade, wherein the first retractor blade comprises an inner wall that forms a part of a channel that extends a length of the first retractor blade, a shim device attached to the first retractor blade having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the shim device is received within the channel of the first retractor blade, wherein the shim device comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion with the distal portion of the shim device being tapered to engage a portion of a vertebral member, wherein the shim device further comprises a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first retractor blade comprises a latch mechanism configured to fit within the first opening and the second opening, wherein when the latch mechanism is in the first opening the shim device is in a retracted position and wherein when the latch mechanism is in the second opening the shim device is in an extended position, and wherein when the shim device is in the retracted position, the proximal end of the shim device extends proximally with respect to the proximal end of the first retractor blade, wherein the first opening of the shim device includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the first opening is configured to receive a portion of the latch mechanism and the second end of the first opening is configured to receive at least a portion of a shim tool.