Patent ID: 8172750
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for forming an operating corridor to a lumbar spine, comprising: plurality of sequential dilators of increasing diameters to create a tissue distraction corridor along a lateral, trans-psoas path through bodily tissue to a targeted intervertebral disc of a lumbar spine, at least one of the sequential dilators comprising a stimulation electrode along a distal region to deliver electrical stimulation for nerve monitoring when the sequential dilator is positioned in the lateral, trans-psoas path, said at least one of the sequential dilators comprising a proximal connector portion for releasable electrical connection with a nerve monitoring system; a bladed retractor assembly comprising a plurality of retractor blades that are simultaneously slidable over an outermost dilator of the plurality of sequential dilators along the lateral, trans-psoas path to enlarge the tissue distraction corridor and thereby form an operative corridor along the lateral, trans-psoas path to the targeted intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine, wherein the bladed retractor assembly is adjustable from a first position in which the plurality of retractor blades are positioned to slide over the outermost dilator of the plurality of sequential dilators to a second position in which the plurality of retractor blades are spaced apart from one another to enlarge the tissue distraction corridor, wherein when the bladed retractor assembly forms the operative corridor along the lateral, trans-psoas path to the targeted intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine, the operative corridor is dimensioned so as to pass an implant through the operative corridor along the lateral, trans-psoas path toward the targeted intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine.