Tissue dilator and retractor system and method of use

摘要

Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for surgical dilation and retraction of tissues during a medical procedure, for example a spinal surgery. The apparatus includes a dilator assembly that includes a plurality of slidingly engaging dilators, wherein at least one dilator includes an outer wall shape different from its inner wall shape. At least one of the dilators may include an eccentrically positioned circular channel, a generally oblong outer wall shape, and a longitudinal gap in a wall. The dilator system may be used in a method that provides off center differential dilation of tissues in one or more preferred directions. A retractor system that may be used with the dilator system is also disclosed.

主权项

1. A dilator system comprising:
a first dilator including a wall having an exterior first cross-sectional shape, and the first dilator having a first longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end of the first dilator to a distal end of the first dilator and centrally disposed relative to the exterior first cross-sectional shape; a second dilator including a wall having an interior second cross-sectional shape and an exterior third cross-sectional shape, wherein the interior second cross-sectional shape is configured to mate with the exterior first cross-sectional shape, the periphery of the interior second cross-sectional shape and the exterior third cross-sectional shape being at least partially interrupted by a longitudinal gap extending at least a portion of the length of the second dilator, wherein the second dilator further includes a channel having a longitudinal opening formed by the longitudinal gap, the channel being configured to slidingly receive the first dilator therethrough; wherein the interior second cross-sectional shape of the second dilator wall comprises an interior straight-line segment and the exterior third cross-sectional shape of the second dilator wall comprises an exterior straight-line segment, and the interior straight-line segment and the exterior straight-line segment are parallel to each other; and wherein the exterior straight-line segment is longer than the interior straight-line segment.