Surgical access system and related methods

摘要

A surgical access system comprising a tissue dilation assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures. A retractor assembly for creating an operative corridor to a spinal surgical target site is disclosed, comprising: a retractor body and a plurality retractor blades extending generally perpendicularly to the retractor body, the retractor body being operable to separate the at plurality of retractor blades relative to each; and a supplemental retractor blade assembly attachable to at least two of the plurality of retractor blades, the supplemental retractor blade assembly comprising an elongated supplemental retractor blade and a crossbar connector, the crossbar connector configured to be attached to said at least two retractor blades while engaging the supplemental retractor blade.

主权项

1. A retractor assembly for creating an operative corridor to a spinal surgical target site, comprising:
a retractor body and a plurality retractor blades extending generally perpendicularly to the retractor body, the retractor body being operable to separate the plurality of retractor blades relative to each to other to retract tissue away from an interior of the retractor blades when the tissue retractor assembly is advanced to the surgical target site and the retractor blades are separated to thereby form an operative corridor to the surgical target site; and a supplemental retractor blade assembly attachable to two of the plurality of retractor blades, the supplemental retractor blade assembly comprising an elongated supplemental retractor blade and a crossbar connector, the crossbar connector extending from a first end to a second end and including an elongated slot, the elongated slot opening in the first end and configured to engage a post extending perpendicularly from each of the two retractor blades.