Patent ID: 8114019
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for forming an operating corridor to a lumbar spine, comprising: an initial guidewire deliverable along a selected path through bodily tissue toward a targeted intervertebral disc of a lumbar spine; a plurality of sequential dilators of increasing diameters to create a tissue distraction corridor along the selected path through the bodily tissue toward the targeted intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine, the plurality of dilators comprising: an initial dilator configured to slidably engage with an exterior of the initial guidewire and configured to engage the lumbar spine, and at least a second dilator configured to slidably advance over an exterior of the initial dilator and configured to engage the lumbar spine, wherein at least one dilator of the plurality of sequential dilators includes markings indicative of a depth distance between a distal end of the at least one dilator and a skin location; a three-bladed retractor tool slidable over an outer dilator of the plurality of sequential dilators toward the lumbar spine to enlarge the tissue distraction corridor and thereby form an operative corridor along the selected path through the bodily tissue toward the targeted intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine, the three-bladed refractor tool including: wherein when the three-bladed retractor tool is adjusted to the opened position to form the operative corridor along the selected path through the bodily tissue toward 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 selected path toward the targeted intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine.