Patent ID: 8753270

Claim:
A spinal shim device configured to releasably attach to a spinal access retractor blade and to penetrate into a spinal disc space for anchoring the spinal access retractor blade to the disc space, the shim device comprising: a proximal portion configured to releasably attach to a spinal access refractor blade, a distal extension configured to extend distally of the spinal access retractor blade and penetrate into a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, and a maximum longitudinal length extending from a proximal-most end of the proximal portion to a distal-most end of the distal extension and extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shim device, wherein the maximum longitudinal length of the shim device is less than a maximum longitudinal length of the spinal access retractor blade to which the proximal portion is configured to releasably attach; the distal extension including: a tapered tip region, and a maximum lateral width of the distal extension located proximally away from the distal-most end; the proximal portion having a proximal lateral width that is greater than the maximum lateral width of the distal extension, the proximal portion defining a forward surface portion, and the proximal portion including a rearwardly extending ridge structure to releasably engage with a corresponding groove along an interior face of the spinal access refractor blade when the proximal portion releasably attaches to the spinal access retractor blade, the ridge structure having a length extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shim device and being bisected by a longitudinal plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the shim device.