Spinal surgery distraction with an integrated retractor

摘要

A spinal surgery retractor and method of use. The retractor includes a slotted keyway for integrating a keyed spinal distractor. The retractor and distractor combination slide together to displace a portion of the intervertebral disk space to restore or maintain intervertebral spacing and facilitate retraction of surrounding soft tissues while disk space surgery is performed. The distractor head and mating portion of the retractors have matching profiles that enable the retractor to maintain distraction of the vertebra after removal of the distractor portion of the tool, permitting access to increase at the operating site.

主权项

1. A method of assembling a distractor retractor assembly, the method comprising:
securing a distractor rod to a proximal end of a distractor head, wherein a distal end of the distractor head has a tapered profile between the distal end and the proximal end constructed and arranged for insertion between adjacent vertebral bodies, the distal head includes a plurality of side faces positioned between the distal end and the proximal end, and a keyed shaped projection is secured to one of the side faces; and engaging the distractor head on a distal tip of a retractor, the distal tip being constructed and arranged for insertion between adjacent vertebral bodies, the distal tip of the retractor including a keyway having a beveled shape and the keyed shaped projection of the distractor head has a profile which is constructed and arranged to engage and cooperate with the keyway to operatively connect the distractor head to the retractor.