Systems and methods for accessing an intervertebral disc space in a body of a patient
US9408598B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2015 |
| Grant date | Aug 9, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2/4611
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for accessing an intervertebral disc space in a patient's body involves making an incision in a region of the patient's body that permits access to the psoas muscle, directing a blade of a first dissecting refractor through the incision and such that a distal end of the first dissecting retractor blade is positioned proximate the intervertebral disc space, and directing, independently of the first dissecting retractor blade, a blade of a second dissecting retractor through the incision and such that a distal end of the second dissecting retractor blade is positioned proximate the intervertebral disc space. During their placement within the patient's body, the first and second dissecting retractor blades are employed in a tissue dissection process. Following the positioning of the distal ends of the first and second dissecting retractor blades proximate the intervertebral disc space, the first and second dissecting refractors are coupled to one another.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.