ACCESS SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY

摘要

In one embodiment a device (5000) for retracting tissue provides access to a spinal location within a patient. The device has an elongate body (5002) that has a proximal end and a distal end. The elongate body has a length between the proximal and distal ends such that the distal end can be positioned inside the patient adjacent the spinal location. The elongate body has a generally oval shaped proximal portion (5010) and an expandable distal portion (5012). A passage (5014) extends through the elongate body between the proximal and distal ends. The passage is defined by a smooth metal inner surface extending substantially entirely around the perimeter of the passage between the proximal and distal ends. The elongate body is expandable between a first configuration (5052, 5054) sized for insertion into the patient and a second configuration (5056, 5058) wherein the cross-sectional area of the passage at the distal end is greater than the cross-sectional area of the passage at the proximal end.