MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINAL FIXATION SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS
This application describes surgical instruments and implants for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the spinal column. More specifically, the application describes instruments and methods for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the spinal column in a minimally invasive fashion.
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 move at least one of the first arm and the second arm;
a first retractor blade configured to couple to the distal end of the first arm; and
a second retractor blade configured to couple to the distal end of the second arm,
wherein the first arm and the second arm form a tubular corridor when in a closed position.
2 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the second arm is configured to be coupled to the first arm.
3 . The retractor of claim 1 , 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.
4 . The retractor of claim 3 , wherein the first central portion is configured to receive the first retractor blade.
5 . The retractor of claim 4 , wherein the second arm comprises a second central portion between the proximal end of the second arm and the distal end of the second arm.
6 . The retractor of claim 5 , wherein the second central portion is configured to receive the second retractor blade.
7 . The retractor of claim 6 , wherein the first central portion includes an aperture to receive the first retractor blade.
8 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly is configured to rotate to move the at least one of the first arm and the second arm.
9 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly is configured to move both of the first arm and the second arm.
10 . The retractor of claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly further comprises an actuator including a head configured to be actuated by a drive tool.
11 . A method comprising:
providing a split-tube 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 retractor blade to a distal end of the first arm;
coupling the second retractor blade to a distal end of the second arm;
actuating the actuation assembly, thereby causing movement of at least one of the first arm and the second arm,
wherein the first arm and the second arm form a tubular corridor when in a closed position.
12 . The retractor of claim 11 , wherein the second arm is configured to be coupled to the first arm.
13 . The retractor of claim 11 , 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.
14 . The retractor of claim 13 , wherein the first central portion is configured to receive the first retractor blade.
15 . The retractor of claim 14 , wherein the second arm comprises a second central portion between the proximal end of the second arm and the distal end of the second arm.
16 . The retractor of claim 15 , wherein the second central portion is configured to receive the second retractor blade.
17 . The retractor of claim 16 , wherein the first central portion includes an aperture to receive the first retractor blade.
18 . The retractor of claim 11 , wherein the actuator assembly is configured to rotate to move the at least one of the first arm and the second arm.
19 . The retractor of claim 11 , wherein the actuator assembly is configured to move both of the first arm and the second arm.
20 . The retractor of claim 11 , wherein the actuator assembly further comprises an actuator including a head configured to be actuated by a drive tool.