IP Library › Granted Patent US 12661102
Granted Patent B2
US 12661102 · App. 19/038,961 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

TLIF distraction and retraction

Inventors: Jared Gelber (Philadelphia, PA); Damien Kahmer (Warrington, PA); Robert Ryan (Middletown, PA); Michael Webster (Paramus, NJ)
Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
A61B17/025A61B17/0206A61F2/4611A61B2017/0256A61B17/7032A61F2/4455
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12661102
App. No.
19/038,961
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Distractor and retractor systems and methods of using the same. A pedicle-based distractor assembly may include a base supporting a distraction rack, a pair of moveable arms coupled to the distraction rack, a connector at the end of each arm, each connector having a through-opening, and a pair of distractor elements each configured to attach to a pedicle screw. Each distractor element may be positioned through the through-opening in the respective connector. The distractor elements are modular such that different types of distractor elements, such as headless posts, pre-assembled posts, or minimally invasive towers, are interchangeable with the connectors. The assembly may also include a retractor assembly with a medial retractor blade for retracting soft tissue.

Claims (33)

1 . A pedicle-based distractor and retractor system comprising:

a distraction base configured to be attached to a surgical arm, the distraction base supporting a distraction rack;

the distraction rack supporting a medial arm and pair of side arms, each side arm comprising a distal end comprising a connector, and a proximal end independently adjustable along the distraction rack;

a pair of distractor elements each adapted to attach at a proximal end thereof to one of the connectors and at a distal end thereof to a pedicle screw to provide pedicle-based distraction, wherein each distractor element includes a headless post, a pre-assembled post, or a minimally invasive tower, and wherein the distractor elements are modular such that different types of distractor elements are interchangeable with the connectors; and

a retraction blade assembly adapted to adjustably couple to the medial arm and including:

an elongate retraction blade having an adjustable length and/or width;

a locking shaft extending laterally from the retraction blade;

a click-in connector adapted to attach to the distraction base and having a spring loaded axial opening for receiving and locking the locking shaft of the retraction blade, the retraction blade configured to freely rotate about the axial opening until the locking shaft is locked to the spring loaded axial opening,

wherein: the click-in connector includes a star grind; the retraction blade includes a star grind corresponding to the star grind of the click-in connector such that when the retraction blade is locked to the click-in connector, the star grinds intermesh with each other to rotationally lock the retraction blade to the click-in connector.

2 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 1 , wherein the click-in connector includes a spring loaded button that defines the axial opening, the axial opening of the button configured to receive and lock the locking shaft.

3 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 2 , wherein the locking shaft includes a tapered distal tip with a circumferential groove, and the axial opening of the button locks into the circumferential groove of the locking shaft.

4 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 2 , wherein the click-in connector includes: a wave spring and a washer positioned between the star grind and the button.

5 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 1 , wherein the click-in connector includes a wave spring and a washer positioned coaxially in the axial opening.

6 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 1 , wherein the click-in connector includes a circumferential gear configured to engage a corresponding worm in a towing assembly attached to the distraction base.

7 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 6 , wherein the circumferential gear is configured to allow rotation of the click-in connector relative to the distraction base.

8 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 1 , wherein the retraction blade includes a slot configured to receive an insert for lengthening and/or widening the retraction blade.

9 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 8 , wherein the retraction blade includes a translating aperture to allow the insert to translate.

10 . A pedicle-based distractor and retractor system comprising:

a distraction base configured to be attached to a surgical arm, the distraction base supporting a distraction rack;

the distraction rack supporting a pair of side arms and a central arm, the side arms each comprising a distal end comprising a connector, and a proximal end configured to independently slide along the distraction rack;

a pair of distractor elements each adapted to attach at a proximal end thereof to one of the connectors and at a distal end thereof to a pedicle screw to provide pedicle-based distraction, wherein each distractor element includes a headless post, a pre-assembled post, or a minimally invasive tower, and wherein the distractor elements are modular such that different types of distractor elements are interchangeable with the connectors;

a medial retraction blade assembly adapted to attach to the central arm and including:

an elongate medial blade including a slot configured to receive an insert for lengthening and/or widening the medial blade;

a locking shaft extending laterally from the medial blade;

a click-in connector adapted to attach to the distraction base and having a spring loaded axial opening for receiving and locking the locking shaft of the medial blade, the medial blade configured to freely rotate about the axial opening until the locking shaft is locked to the spring loaded axial opening,

wherein: the click-in connector includes a star grind; the medial blade includes a star grind corresponding to the star grind of the click-in connector such that when the medial blade is locked to the click-in connector, the star grinds intermesh with each other to rotationally lock the medial blade to the click-in connector.

11 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 10 , wherein the click-in connector includes a spring loaded button that defines the axial opening, the axial opening of the button configured to receive and lock the locking shaft.

12 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 11 , wherein the locking shaft includes a tapered distal tip with a circumferential groove, and the axial opening of the button locks into the circumferential groove of the locking shaft.

13 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 11 , wherein the click-in connector includes: a wave spring and a washer positioned between the star grind and the button.

14 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 10 , wherein the click-in connector includes a wave spring and a washer positioned coaxially in the axial opening.

15 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 10 , wherein the click-in connector includes a circumferential gear configured to engage a corresponding worm in a towing assembly attached to the distraction base.

16 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 15 , wherein the circumferential gear is configured to allow rotation of the click-in connector relative to the distraction base.

17 . The distractor and retractor system of claim 10 , wherein the medial blade includes a translating aperture to allow the insert to translate.