Method and Apparatus for Performing Spinal fusion Surgery
Implants, instruments, and methods for performing surgical procedures on the spine, including one or more of creating an operative corridor to the spine, delivering implants to the spine, fusing one or more segments of the spine, and fixing one or more segments of the spine.
1 . A retractor blade for use with a retractor assembly, comprising:
an attachment portion,
an upper blade portion that extends generally orthogonally from the attachment portion, and
a lower blade portion that extends at an obtuse angle from the upper portion such that a distal end of the lower blade portion is offset from the plane of the upper portion.
2 . The retractor blade of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the lower portion is offset from the plane of the upper portion by approximately one-quarter inch.
3 . The retractor blade of claim 1 , wherein the retractor blade is provided in multiple lengths and the angle at which the lower blade portion extends from the upper blade portion is varied to achieve a generally uniform offset.
4 . The retractor blade of claim 1 , wherein the lower blade portion has a greater width than the upper blade portion.
5 . The retractor blade of claim 1 , wherein the lower blade portion includes a free sliding blade extension.
6 . The retractor blade of claim 5 , wherein the lower blade portion has a recess in which the free sliding blade extension slides.
7 . The retractor blade of claim 6 , wherein the recess has an elongated central slot in which a guide extension of the blade extension is disposed.
8 . The retractor blade of claim 7 , wherein the recess also includes side grooves in which the edges of the blade extension are received.
9 . The retractor blade of claim 8 , wherein the length of the central slot determines the sliding distance of the blade extension.
10 . The retractor of claim 6 , wherein the distal end of the blade extension is curved toward the exterior side of the retractor blade.
11 . The retractor blade of claim 10 , wherein the distal end of the blade extension is also has a concave curve.
12 . The retractor blade of claim 11 , wherein the edge of the distal end is serrated.
13 . The retractor blade of claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion includes an engagement feature that pivotally engages a retractor body.
14 . The retractor blade of claim 13 , wherein the engagement feature is a cylindrical aperture dimensioned to receive a cylindrical post of the retractor body.
15 . The retractor blade of claim 14 , wherein the attachment portion includes a set screw extending into the cylindrical aperture to secure the retractor blade to the retractor body.
16 . The retractor blade of claim 13 , wherein the attachment portion includes a second engagement feature that connects to an insertion handle.
17 . The retractor blade of claim 16 , wherein the second engagement feature is a post with a tapered proximal end and a cylindrical groove that is configured to receive a coil spring that extends into in a cylinder dimensioned to receive the post.