Retractor Blades For Modular Retractor System And Method Of Use

Abstract

A retractor system used in preparation for an oblique lateral interbody fusion surgical procedure includes a first retractor blade having a first proximal portion and a first distal end; a second retractor blade having a second proximal portion and a second distal end; and a connecting device that is configured to connect the first retractor blade to the second retractor blade. The first distal end of the first retractor blade is configured to engage a posterior portion of the vertebra and the second distal end of the second retractor blade is configured to engage an anterior portion of the vertebra. The length of the first retractor blade is less than approximately 96 percent of the length of the second retractor blade, and the first distal end of the first retractor blade extends at a non-zero angle from the first proximal portion of the first retractor blade.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retractor system used to retract tissue in preparation for an oblique lateral interbody fusion surgical procedure to fuse a vertebra to adjacent bony tissue, comprising:
 a first retractor blade having a first distal end;   a second retractor blade having a second distal end; and   a connecting device that is configured to connect the first retractor blade to the second retractor blade;   wherein the first distal end of the first retractor blade is configured to engage a posterior portion of the vertebra;   wherein the second distal end of the second retractor blade is configured to engage an anterior portion of the vertebra;   wherein the length of the first retractor blade is less than approximately  96  percent of the length of the second retractor blade; and   wherein the first distal end of the first retractor blade extends at a non-zero angle from the rest of the first retractor blade.   
     
     
         2 . The retractor system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first retractor blade further comprises a blade portion and an attachment portion, the blade portion having a first side and a second side, the first side defining a first direction that is normal to the first side and extends away from the blade portion, and a second direction opposite the first direction; and   the attachment portion extends in the second direction away from the second side of the blade portion.   
     
     
         3 . The retractor system according to  claim 2 , wherein the first distal end of the first retractor blade curves towards the second direction. 
     
     
         4 . The retractor system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second retractor blade further comprises a blade portion and an attachment portion, the blade portion having a first side and a second side, the first side defining a first direction that is normal to the first side and extends away from the blade portion, and a second direction opposite the first direction;   the attachment portion extends in the second direction away from the second side of the blade portion; and   the second end of the second retractor blade curves towards the first direction.   
     
     
         5 . The retractor system according to  claim 4 , wherein the first side of the blade portion of the second retractor blade is concave. 
     
     
         6 . The retractor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting device is an articulating arm. 
     
     
         7 . The retractor system according to  claim 1 , further including a third retractor blade that is longer than the first retractor blade and shorter than the second retractor blade. 
     
     
         8 . The retractor system according to  claim 7 , wherein the third retractor blade includes a third distal end that is substantially similar to the first distal end of the first retractor blade. 
     
     
         9 . The retractor system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first distal end of the first retractor blade has a flanged tip that extends at an approximately  90  degree angle from the rest of the first retractor blade; and
 wherein the second distal end of the second retractor blade has a cambered tip. 
 
     
     
         10 . A retractor system used to retract tissue in preparation for an oblique lateral interbody fusion surgical procedure to fuse a vertebra to adjacent bony tissue, comprising:
 a first retractor blade having a first blade portion with a first length;   a second retractor blade having a second blade portion with a second length;   a connecting device that is configured to connect the first retractor blade to the second retractor blade;   wherein an end of the first retractor blade is configured to engage a posterior portion of the vertebra;   wherein an end of the second retractor blade is configured to engage an anterior portion of the vertebra;   wherein the length of the first retractor blade is less than approximately  96  percent of the length of the second retractor blade; and   wherein the end of the first retractor blade extends at a non-zero angle from the rest of the first retractor blade.   
     
     
         11 . The retractor system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first length is approximately 140 mm and wherein the second length is approximately 150 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The retractor system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first length is approximately 170 mm and wherein the second length is approximately 180 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The retractor system according to  claim 10 , wherein the first length is approximately 200 mm and wherein the second length is approximately 210 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The retractor system according to  claim 10 , wherein the connecting device is an articulating arm. 
     
     
         15 . The retractor system according to  claim 10 , wherein the end of the first retractor blade has a flanged tip that extends at an approximately 90 degree angle from the rest of the first retractor blade. 
     
     
         16 . A method of positioning a retractor system within a body in preparation for an oblique lateral interbody fusion surgical procedure to fuse a vertebra to adjacent bony tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
 inserting a first retractor blade having a first distal end into an incision in the body;   inserting a second retractor blade with a second distal end into the incision in the body;   retracting tissue proximate the incision by moving the first retractor blade and the second retractor blade away from one another;   positioning the first retractor blade so that the first distal end engages a posterior side of the vertebra;   positioning the second retractor blade so that the second distal end engages an anterior side of the vertebra; and   securing the first retractor blade to the second retractor blade to fix their relative positions.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein positioning the second retractor blade occurs after the first retractor blade has been positioned. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein securing the first retractor blade to the second retractor blade includes attaching a first end of an articulating arm to the first retractor blade and attaching a second end of the articulating arm to the second retractor blade. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the method further includes attaching the end of a table arm to at least one of the first retractor blade or the second retractor blade. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the second retractor blade is longer than the first retractor blade;
 wherein the first distal end of the first retractor blade has a flanged tip that extends at an approximately  90  degree angle from the rest of the first retractor blade; and   wherein the second distal end of the second retractor blade has a cambered tip.