Curvilinear spinal access method and device

Abstract

A system for performing a procedure on a spine of a patient includes a curved tissue distractor, a curved housing, and an exterior channel. The curved tissue distractor includes a first distractor ramp and a second distractor ramp. The curved housing is configured to slide between the first and second distractor ramps. The curved housing includes a distal end, a proximal end, and an interior channel disposed between the distal end and the proximate end. The exterior channel is disposed on an outside surface of the curved housing and between the distal end and the proximal end. The curved housing is configured to slide between the first and second distractor ramps to provide access through the interior channel to the spine.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A system for performing a procedure on a spine of a patient, comprising:
 a curved tissue distractor including a first distractor ramp and a second distractor ramp;   a curved housing configured to slide between the first and second distractor ramps, said curved housing including
 a distal end, a proximal end, and an interior channel disposed between the distal end and said proximate end; 
 an exterior channel disposed on an outside surface of said curved housing and between the distal end and the proximal end; and 
   wherein the curved housing is configured to slide between the first and second distractor ramps to provide access through the interior channel to the spine.   
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , further comprising a removable alignment block that couples proximal ends of the first and second distractor ramps. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 52 , further comprising a housing with first and second grooves for receiving proximal ends of the first and second distractor ramps. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 52 , further comprising a rail on an interior side of the first distractor ramp configured to engage the exterior channel and guide said curved housing towards the spine. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 52 , further comprising a neuro-monitoring device on at least one of the first and second distractor ramps of said curved tissue distractor. 
     
     
         57 . A distractor instrument for opening a surgical site comprising:
 a curved first distractor ramp;   a curved second distractor ramp that mates with the first distractor ramp; and   an alignment block that aligns the first and second distractor ramps.   
     
     
         58 . The distractor instrument of  claim 57 , wherein the first distractor ramp includes a first arcuate length longer than a second arcuate length of the second distractor ramp. 
     
     
         59 . The distractor instrument of  claim 57 , further comprising a rail on an interior surface of the first distractor ramp for guiding one or more surgical instruments to the surgical site. 
     
     
         60 . The distractor instrument of  claim 57 , wherein the alignment block couples with proximal ends of the first and second distractor ramps. 
     
     
         61 . The distractor instrument of  claim 57 , further comprising a monitoring element on at least one of the first and second distractor ramps. 
     
     
         62 . The distractor instrument of  claim 57 , further comprising a deployment balloon surrounding the first and second distractor ramps for delivery to the surgical site. 
     
     
         63 . The distractor instrument of  claim 57 , wherein the alignment block includes grooves that receive proximal ends of the first and second distractor ramps. 
     
     
         64 . The distractor instrument of  claim 57 , wherein the alignment block includes a locking mechanism to retain the first and second distractor ramps within the alignment block. 
     
     
         65 . A method of accessing a surgical site, comprising:
 inserting a curved first distractor ramp;   inserting a curved second distractor ramp that mates with the first distractor ramp; and   coupling an alignment block to proximal ends of the first and second distractor ramps.   
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising monitoring neural activity through a monitoring element on at least one of the first and second distractor ramps. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising providing a deployment balloon around the first and second distractor ramps. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising aligning the first and second distractor ramps with the alignment block. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising sliding a curved housing with an interior channel between the first and second distractor ramps.