Patent ID: 7226413

Claim:
A nerve root retractor and sucker comprising: a handle having proximal and distal ends, a nerve root retractor/sucker shaft having a proximal open end and a distal open end and defining a central passage therebetween, wherein the proximal end of the shaft is connected to the distal end of the handle, and wherein the angle between the shaft and the axis of the handle may be controllably and fixedly varied along at least one axis; a suction source in fluid communication with the distal opening of the shaft, wherein one or both of the handle and shaft define a suction fluid path between the suction source and the distal opening; at least one suction control vent disposed along the suction fluid path such that closing the at least one vent increases the level of suction at the distal opening, and such that opening the at least one vent decreases the level of suction at the distal opening; and a retractor blade disposed immediately proximate to the distal end of the shaft.