Patent ID: 8251902
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A retractor system to facilitate surgical access to an intervertebral disc between an inferior vertebral body and a superior vertebral body, the retractor system comprising: a post having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the post having an anchor adapted to attach the post to a pedicle of an inferior vertebral body with respect to an intervertebral disc; a retractor body having a collar to adjustably attach the retractor body to the post between the distal end and the proximal end of the post, a pair of slides adjustably coupled to the retractor body, the slides configured for selective adjustment with respect to one another between a substantially closed position and an opened position with the slides further apart than the substantially closed position, and a pair of blades mounted to the slides, each one of the blades having a proximal end and a distal end, a distance between the proximal end and the distal end of each one of the blades configured for displacing tissue for access to an intervertebral disc, an attachment portion adjacent the proximal end of each one of the blades for attaching one of the slides thereto, and a geometry of the distal end of each one of the blades for conforming to anatomy surrounding the pedicle; a post tightening knob to interoperate with the collar by adjusting a position of a protrusion within the collar, wherein the protrusion provides a selective engagement to hold the post within the collar; and a pitch/roll adjustment in the retractor body to control the orientation of the retractor body relative to the post.