Minimally invasive spinal fixation system and related methods

1. A minimally invasive surgical retractor comprising:

a first arm extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof along a first longitudinal axis;

a second arm configured to couple to the first arm, the second arm extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof along a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis;

an actuation assembly configured to couple to the first arm and the second arm and further configured to cause the first arm and the second arm to rotate relative to each other about a third longitudinal axis,

wherein the third longitudinal axis is parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis;

a first retractor blade configured to couple to the distal end of the first arm;

a second retractor blade configured to couple to the distal end of the second arm;

wherein the first arm comprises a first central portion between the proximal end of the first arm and the distal end of the first arm,

wherein the first central portion comprises a recess formed in an underside of the first arm,

wherein the first central portion further comprises an aperture formed in the top surface of the first central portion, wherein a lip of the aperture forms an overhang; and

wherein the actuator assembly further comprises an actuator comprising:

a head configured to be actuated by a drive tool;

an upper lip configured to contact an upper surface of the overhang;

a lower lip configured to contact an underside of the overhang; and

a circumferential recess extending between the upper lip and the lower lip,

wherein the circumferential recess is configured to mate with the aperture.

2. The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the second arm is configured to hingedly couple to the first arm about the third longitudinal axis.

3. The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the first central portion comprises a flange that laterally extends toward the second arm and is configured to be received within a flange recess of the second arm.

4. The retractor of claim 3 , wherein the flange comprises a hinge aperture extending along the first longitudinal axis, wherein the hinge aperture is sized to receive a pivot pin therein for securing the flange to the flange recess.

5. The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the second arm comprises a protrusion laterally extending toward the first arm and configured to be received within the recess of the first central portion.

6. The retractor of claim 5 , wherein the actuator assembly comprises a mounting unit configured to be received within the recess of the first central portion and coupled to the protrusion of the second arm.

7. The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the first central portion comprises a button aperture sized to house a blade release button therein.

8. The retractor of claim 7 , wherein the blade release button comprises:

a button head;

a post extending distally below the button head; and

an upper-facing ridge forming a catch at a distal end of the post, wherein the catch is configured to interact with a complementary catch of the first retractor blade.

9. The retractor of claim 8 , wherein the blade release button further comprises a spring configured to bias the blade release button to releasably engage the catch of the blade release button with the catch of the first retractor blade.

10. The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the first arm comprises a blade aperture configured to couple to the first retractor blade.

11. The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the first arm comprises a threaded aperture sized to receive a first attachment ring.

12. The retractor of claim 11 , wherein the first attachment ring is configured to engage with an independent instrument.

13. The retractor of claim 12 , wherein the independent instrument is an insertion handle or a mounting device.

14. A method comprising:

providing a surgical retractor comprising:

a first arm extending along a first longitudinal axis,

a second arm extending along a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis,

an actuation assembly,

a first retractor blade, and

a second retractor blade;

coupling the first arm and the second arm about a third longitudinal axis, wherein the third longitudinal axis is parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis;

coupling the first retractor blade to a distal end of the first arm;

coupling the second retractor blade to a distal end of the second arm;

coupling the actuation assembly to the first and second arms;

actuating the actuation assembly, thereby causing the first retractor blade and the second retractor blade to rotate relative to each other about the third longitudinal axis;

wherein the actuation assembly comprises an actuator unit and a mounting unit configured to threadedly couple to the actuator unit, and the actuating the actuation assembly further comprises:

rotating the actuator unit; and

laterally translating the mounting unit and causing the first arm and the second arm to rotate relative to each other about the third longitudinal axis.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the coupling the first arm and the second arm further comprises hingedly coupling the first arm and the second arm about the third longitudinal axis.