Patent ID: 8672840
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for accessing a spinal disc of a lumbar spine through an operative corridor, comprising: a distraction assembly to create a tissue distraction corridor to a lumbar spine, wherein said distraction assembly comprises: an elongate stimulation member deliverable toward a spinal disc along a lateral, trans-psoas path to the lumbar spine, a distal tip region of the elongate stimulation member including a stimulation electrode to deliver electrical stimulation for nerve monitoring when said stimulation electrode is positioned in the lateral, trans-psoas path to the lumbar spine, and at least two dilators of sequentially larger diameter deliverable to the spinal disc along the lateral, trans-psoas path to the lumbar spine, a first dilator of the at least two dilators having a lumen configured to slidably receive the elongate stimulation member; and a retraction assembly comprising a plurality of retractor blades that enlarge the tissue distraction corridor to thereby form an operative corridor along the lateral, trans-psoas path to the lumbar spine when the plurality of retractor blades are delivered to the lumbar spine, the retraction assembly further comprising a blade holder apparatus that is configured to receive and lock with the plurality of retractor blades after the plurality of retractor blades engage with the blade holder apparatus, wherein the plurality of retractor blades includes first and second retractor blades that each have a proximal connector region for mounting to the blade holder apparatus and an elongate blade body extending distally from the proximal connector region, wherein the elongate blade body of the first retractor blade has the same shape and maximum width as the elongate blade body of the second retractor blade, wherein when the plurality of retractor blades enlarge the tissue distraction corridor to form the operative corridor along the lateral, trans-psoas path to the lumbar spine, the operative corridor is dimensioned so as to pass an implant through the operative corridor along the lateral, trans-psoas path to the lumbar spine.