Patent ID: 8747307
Filing Date: 2014-06-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for accessing a spinal disc space of a lumbar spine of a patient, comprising: sequentially inserting a plurality of sequentially larger diameter dilators into a patient along a lateral, trans-psoas path to create a distraction corridor along said lateral, trans-psoas path toward a targeted spinal disc of a lumbar spine, wherein at least one of said plurality of sequentially larger diameter dilators is configured to receive an elongate member, wherein at least one instrument from a group consisting of the elongate member and the sequentially larger diameter dilators comprises: a stimulation electrode along a distal region, and a proximal connector region for releasable electrical connection with a nerve monitoring system; outputting electrical stimulation from said stimulation electrode of said at least one instrument from the group consisting of the elongate member and the sequentially larger diameter dilators for nerve monitoring when said stimulation electrode is positioned in said lateral, trans-psoas path; simultaneously advancing a plurality of retractor blades of a bladed retractor assembly along said lateral, trans-psoas path and over an exterior of an outermost dilator of said plurality of sequentially larger diameter dilators, 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 moved apart from one another; removing said plurality of sequentially larger diameter dilators from said patient after said plurality of retractor blades are advanced through the psoas muscle, wherein an operative corridor along the lateral, trans-psoas path to the targeted spinal disc is at least partially defined by said plurality of retractor blades; and maintaining said operative corridor along said lateral, trans-psoas path using said bladed retractor tool while delivering a spinal implant through said operative corridor to a disc space of the targeted spinal disc of the lumbar spine.