Patent ID: 9138217
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A minimally invasive tissue retraction system for creating a minimally invasive operating corridor to the spine comprising: a retractor body having first and second pivotable arms movable relative to each other, the first pivotable arm extending along a first longitudinal axis and the second arm extending along a second longitudinal axis, and a third translating arm moveable relative to the first and second pivotable arms, each of the first, second, and third arms having a distal attachment site configured to rigidly couple a retractor blade, said first pivotable arm having a first arm extender extending along the first longitudinal axis and coupled to the distal attachment site of the first arm, the first extender having a proximal end configured to couple to the distal attachment site of the first arm and a distal end configured to rigidly attach a retractor blade, said second pivotable arm having a second arm extender extending along the second longitudinal axis and coupled to the distal attachment site of the second arm, the second arm extender having a proximal end configured to couple to the distal attachment site of the second arm and a distal end configured to rigidly attach a retractor blade; a first retractor blade attached to said distal end of the first arm extender, and a second retractor blade attached to said distal end of the second arm extender, each of said first and second retractor blades pointed generally perpendicularly relative to said retractor body; and a third retractor blade shaped to retract lung tissue from said operative corridor, the third retractor blade coupled to the third translating arm, and wherein said third retractor blade is also pointed generally perpendicular relative to said retractor body.