Patent ID: 8192356
Filing Date: 2012-06-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for accessing a spinal disc of a lumbar spine through an operative corridor, comprising: a distraction assembly to create a tissue distraction corridor to a lumbar spine, wherein said distraction assembly comprises an elongate stimulation member deliverable to a spinal disc along a lateral, trans-psoas path to the lumbar spine such that a distal tip region of the elongate stimulation member is configured to engage an annulus of a spinal disc in the lumbar spine, the distal tip region of the elongate stimulation member including a stimulation electrode to deliver electrical stimulation for nerve monitoring when the elongate stimulation member is positioned in the lateral, trans-psoas path to the lumbar spine, the distraction assembly further comprising a dilator system comprising at least one dilator that slidably engages an exterior of the elongate stimulation member, the at least one dilator being deliverable to the spinal disc along the lateral, trans-psoas path to the lumbar spine; and a retraction assembly comprising a plurality of retractor blades that enlarge the tissue distraction corridor to thereby form an operative corridor along the lateral, trans-psoas path to the lumbar spine when the plurality of retractor blades are delivered to the lumbar spine, wherein one of the retractor blades is a posterior-most retractor blade when the plurality of retractor blades are delivered to the lumbar spine, the retraction assembly further comprising a locking member that releasably and slidably engages with the posterior-most retractor blade so that a distal portion of the locking member extends distally from the posterior-most retractor blade, wherein the distal portion of the locking member anchors into the spinal disc between adjacent vertebral bodies and secures the posterior-most retractor blade relative to the adjacent vertebral bodies when the plurality of retractor blades are delivered to the lumbar spine, wherein when the plurality of retractor blades enlarge the tissue distraction corridor to form the operative corridor along the lateral, trans-psoas path to the lumbar spine, the operative corridor is dimensioned so as to pass an implant through the operative corridor along the lateral, trans-psoas path to the lumbar spine.