Patent ID: 6083154
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
Surgical instrumentation to perform a surgical intervention on a patient's spine, comprising:a frame;a number of valves; anda number of articulated devices each corresponding to one of said valves and each being adapted to be rigidly fixed to said frame in a spaced apart relationship from one to another, said devices each including a first portion coupled to a respective one of said valves and a second portion contacting said first portion in a bearing relationship, said second portion defining a passage bounded by a conical bearing surface, said devices each being selectively operable to permit said first portion to slidably pivot about said second portion with two degrees of freedom to adjust angular position of said respective one of said valves over a range of angles generally corresponding to a cone defined by said passage; andwherein said devices are each operable to selectively clamp said respective one of said valves, said first portion, and said second portion together, with said respective one of said valves being in an angular position selected from said range to retract tissue in contact therewith to establish an operating area along the patient's spine.