Tissue retractor, retraction modules, and associated methods
A modular retractor may include a first body portion that houses a distraction mechanism for opening and closing a first arm and a second arm. A first pivoting member may be coupled to a distal end of the first arm and a second pivoting member may be coupled to a distal end of the second arm, for example. A first pin receiving cannula may be coupled to the first pivoting member and a second pin receiving cannula may be coupled to the second pivoting member. The first and second pin receiving cannulas may receive a threaded pin therein and be independently inclinable. Various embodiments may include at least one quick connect coupler. During use, a first pin and a second pin may be secured to a first and second vertebrae for distracting and/or adjusting an angle of inclination of the first and second vertebrae.
1. A retractor system for enabling access to a surgical site, comprising:
a modular retractor having a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction and a lateral axis extending from a first lateral end to a second lateral end in a lateral direction, the modular retractor including:
a first body portion that houses a distraction mechanism;
a first arm and a second arm pivotally coupled together;
a first handle coupled to the first arm and a second handle coupled to the second arm;
a first pivoting member coupled to a distal end of the first arm and a second pivoting member coupled to a distal end of the second arm;
a first attachment mechanism coupled to the first pivoting member and supporting a first pin receiving cannula;
a second attachment mechanism coupled to the second pivoting member and supporting a second pin receiving cannula;
a first actuator operably coupled to the distraction mechanism for opening and closing the first arm and the second arm;
a second actuator for adjusting an angulation of the first pivoting member; and
a third actuator for adjusting an angulation of the second pivoting member,
wherein the first body portion comprises at least one table mount quick release coupler.
2. The retractor system of claim 1 , wherein the first body portion further comprises a connection point for connecting to at least one retractor module.
3. The retractor system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a retractor module,
wherein the retractor module supports at least one free hand module that is coupled to a cervical blade having a footed tip with a plurality of prongs at a distal end thereof.
4. The retractor system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a retractor module,
wherein the retractor module may couple to the modular retractor and comprises a third arm configured to move forward and backward relative to the longitudinal direction, and
wherein the retractor module includes a proximal mount for supporting a first free hand module and a distal mount for supporting a second free hand module.
5. The retractor system of claim 4 , wherein the distal mount is attached to a distal portion of the third arm.
6. The retractor system of claim 4 , wherein the proximal mount is attached to a body portion of the retractor module.
7. The retractor system of claim 4 , wherein:
the distal mount is attached to a distal portion of the third arm and thereby movable in the longitudinal direction; and
the proximal mount is attached to a body portion of the retractor module thereby remaining fixed in position relative to the retractor module.
8. The retractor system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a first blade coupled to the first free hand module; and
a second blade coupled to the second free hand module.
9. The retractor system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first blade and second blade comprises a cervical blade including an angled footed tip.
10. The retractor system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first blade and second blade comprises a cervical blade include a substantially planar inside surface and an angled footed tip having a plurality of prongs extending therefrom.
11. A retractor system for enabling access to a surgical site, comprising:
a retractor having a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction and a lateral axis extending from a first lateral end to a second lateral end in a lateral direction, the retractor including:
a first arm and a second arm pivotally coupled together;
a third arm extendable forward and backward in the longitudinal direction;
a first handle coupled to the first arm and a second handle coupled to the second arm;
a first pivoting member coupled to a distal end of the first arm, and a second pivoting member coupled to a distal end of the second arm;
a first attachment mechanism coupled to the first pivoting member and supporting a first pin receiving cannula;
a second attachment mechanism coupled to the second pivoting member and supporting a second pin receiving cannula;
a first actuator for opening the first arm and the second arm;
a second actuator for adjusting an angulation of the first pivoting member;
a third actuator for adjusting an angulation of the second pivoting member; and
a fourth actuator comprising a toothed gear for moving the third arm forward and backward in the longitudinal direction, the toothed gear meshed with a rack portion of the third arm,
wherein the first body portion comprises at least one table mount quick release coupler.
12. The retractor system of claim 11 , further comprising a proximal mount for supporting a first free hand module.
13. The retractor system of claim 11 , wherein the third arm comprises a distal mount for supporting a second free hand module.
14. The retractor system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a proximal mount for supporting a first free hand module,
wherein the third arm comprises a distal mount for supporting a second free hand module.
15. The retractor system of claim 14 , further comprising a first cervical blade coupled to the first free hand module and a second cervical blade coupled to the second free hand module.
16. A method of using a retractor, comprising:
providing a retractor having a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction and a lateral axis extending from a first lateral end to a second lateral end in a lateral direction, the retractor including:
a first arm and a second arm pivotally coupled together;
a third arm extendable forward and backward in the longitudinal direction;
a first handle coupled to the first arm and a second handle coupled to the second arm;
a first pivoting member coupled to a distal end of the first arm, and a second pivoting member coupled to a distal end of the second arm;
a first attachment mechanism coupled to the first pivoting member and supporting a first pin receiving cannula and a second attachment mechanism coupled to the second pivoting member and supporting a second pin receiving cannula;
a first actuator for opening the first arm and the second arm;
a second actuator for adjusting an angulation of the first pivoting member and a third actuator for adjusting an angulation of the second pivoting member; and
a fourth actuator comprising a toothed gear for moving the third arm forward and backward in the longitudinal direction, the toothed gear meshed with a rack portion of the third arm,
attaching a first pin receiving cannula to the first attachment mechanism;
attaching a second pin receiving cannula to the second attachment mechanism;
attaching a first cervical blade to a first free hand module supported by a distal mount;
attaching a second cervical blade to a second free hand module supported by a proximal mount;
driving a first pin through an aperture of the first pin receiving cannula;
driving a second pin through an aperture of the second pin receiving cannula;
connecting the first pin to a first vertebra; and
connecting the second pin to a second vertebra.
17. The tissue distraction method of claim 16 , wherein the first vertebra is a cephalad vertebra and the second vertebra is a caudal vertebra.
18. The tissue distraction method of claim 16 , comprising:
distracting a disc space between the first vertebra and the second vertebra by squeezing the handles.
19. The tissue distraction method of claim 16 , comprising:
distracting a disc space between the first vertebra and the second vertebra by actuating the first actuator.
20. The tissue distraction method of claim 19 , comprising:
adjusting an angle of inclination of the first vertebra with respect to the second vertebra by actuating the second actuator.