Dilation system and method of using the same

摘要

Directional sequential and blunt stimulating dilation systems (10) and related methods for accessing a patient's spine (2) though the patient's psoas muscle (4) include sequential directional dilators (30, 40) or a blunt stimulating dilator (100, 100′) with at least one channel formed therein. Neural elements or nerves (9) of the psoas muscle are preferably mapped using a stimulating probe (20). The stimulating probe is inserted through the psoas muscle toward the patient's spine. The directional sequential dilators may be inserted to dilate the tissue on any side of the stimulating probe without significantly impacting tissue on the opposite side of the stimulating probe, which may be located, proximate the neural elements. The dilators are rendered directional by having bores (35, 45), by means of which they can be inserted over each other and over the probe, which are offset from their longitudinal axes (31, 41).

主权项

1. A directional sequential dilation system for dilating away from a nerve of a patient's anatomy, the directional sequential dilation system comprising:
a stimulating probe having a probe axis; a first directional dilator including a first longitudinal axis, a first bore having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first directional dilator and a first channel formed in an outer surface of the first directional dilator and extending from the proximal end to the distal end so as to be in communication with the first bore along an entirety of the length of the first bore, the first bore having a first bore axis, the first longitudinal axis offset from the first bore axis; and a second directional dilator including a second longitudinal axis, a second bore having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the second directional dilator and a second channel formed in an outer surface of the second directional dilator and extending from the proximal end to the distal end so as to be in communication with the second bore along an entirety of the length of the second bore, the second bore having a second bore axis, the second longitudinal axis offset from the second bore axis; the stimulating probe removably receivable in the first bore and the first directional dilator removably receivable in the second bore.