System and method for retracting body tissue

{
  "publication_number": "US10080560B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "System and method for retracting body tissue",
  "abstract": "Retractor systems and methods for retracting body tissue during surgery. The retractor system includes a rail having two opposed widened rail portions separated by a narrowed portion, each widened portion engageable by a separate clamp. The clamps are configured to support the rail to a fixed surface, or to support a surgical device. Each clamp may independently be positioned or slid along the rail to a desired location without interference with a clamp on an opposing widened rail portion. A device clamp is formed of spherical mating portions which enable alignment of a surgical device along six degrees of freedom, and tightenable by securing a single fastener. A retractor blade mount enables an angular and tilting disposition of a retractor blade, as well as remote manipulation of the retractor blade.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method of assembling a retractor suitable for moving or retaining body tissue in a desired location, comprising: providing a frame rail, the frame rail provided in separable sections; joining the separable section to one another to form the frame rail, wherein said separable sections each include one end forming a projection, and an opposite end forming a recess, the projection of one section positionable within a recess of another section, to thereby join separable sections; connecting the frame rail to a supporting frame arm with a frame arm clamp, the frame rail having a cross section defining first and second widened sections, each of said first and second widened sections having opposing surfaces, said first and second widened sections separated relative to each other by a narrowed portion, the frame arm clamp having opposed clamping surfaces each shaped to conformingly engage said opposing surfaces of said first widened section, the frame arm clamp further including a connector connecting said opposed clamping surfaces and configured to move said clamping surfaces into conforming contact with said opposing surfaces; attaching at least one device clamp to the frame rail, the at least one device clamp having opposed clamping surfaces each shaped to conformingly engage said opposing surfaces of said second widened section; and engaging a surgical device with the device clamp, positioning the surgical device along six degrees of freedom, and after positioning the surgical device, securing the surgical device by tightening a tightening fastener to substantially prevent further movement of the surgical device.",
    "2. The method of claim 1, wherein said device clamp further including a connector connecting said opposed clamping surfaces and configured to move said clamping surfaces into conforming contact with said opposing surfaces, said at least one device clamp slideable along said second widened section when said at least one device clamp is conformingly engaged with said second widened section and movable past said frame arm clamp when said frame arm clamp is conformingly engaged with said first widened section.",
    "3. The method of claim 1, wherein said separable sections are joinable one to the other to form a continuous frame rail of a desired length.",
    "4. The method of claim 3, wherein the continuous frame rail forms an unobstructed surface, and further comprising sliding at least one of said at least one frame arm clamp or at least one of said at least one device clamp continuously along the length of the continuous frame rail when conformingly engaged with said frame rail.",
    "5. The method of claim 1, wherein said projection includes a circumferential groove, and said recess includes a rotatable bolt including a channel sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of said projection and mateably engage said circumferential groove within said channel.",
    "6. The method of claim 1, wherein said device clamp includes a plurality of mating surfaces defining spherical portions.",
    "7. The method of claim 1, wherein said device clamp substantially prevents further movement of the surgical device and clamps to said frame rail upon tightening of only said tightening fastener.",
    "8. The method of claim 1, further including mounting a retractor blade holder to the device clamp, the retractor blade holder including: an extension having first and second opposed ends connectable to said device clamp; a mounting portion at said first end configured to support a retractor blade; and a rotatable element disposed adjacent said second end configured to enable movement of the mounting portion and attached retractor blade.",
    "9. A method of assembling a retractor for retracting body tissue, comprising: providing a frame rail having a cross section defining first and second widened sections, each of said first and second widened sections having opposing surfaces, said first and second widened sections separated relative to each other by a narrowed portion; and connecting a supporting frame arm to a surface that is affixable relative to the body tissue; connecting a frame arm clamp to said frame arm, and having opposed clamping surfaces each shaped to conformingly engage said opposing surfaces of said first widened section, said frame arm clamp further including a connector connecting said opposed clamping surfaces and configured to move said clamping surfaces into conforming contact with said opposing surfaces, wherein said separable sections are joinable one to the other to form the frame rail, wherein said separable sections each include one end forming a projection, and an opposite end forming a recess, the projection of one section positionable within a recess of another section, to thereby join separable sections into the frame rail.",
    "10. The method of claim 9, further comprising attaching at least one device clamp to the frame rail, the at least one device clamp having opposed clamping surfaces each shaped to conformingly engage said opposing surfaces of said second widened section.",
    "11. The method of claim 10, wherein said device clamp further including a connector connecting said opposed clamping surfaces and configured to move said clamping surfaces into conforming contact with said opposing surfaces, said at least one device clamp slideable along said second widened section when said at least one device clamp is conformingly engaged with said second widened section and movable past said frame arm clamp when said frame arm clamp is conformingly engaged with said first widened section.",
    "12. The method of claim 10, wherein said device clamp substantially prevents further movement of the surgical device and clamps to said frame rail upon tightening of only said tightening fastener.",
    "13. The method of claim 9, wherein said separable sections are joinable one to the other to form a continuous frame rail of a desired length.",
    "14. The method of claim 9, wherein the continuous frame rail forms an unobstructed surface, and further comprising sliding at least one of said at least one frame arm clamp or at least one of said at least one device clamp continuously along the length of the continuous frame rail when conformingly engaged with said frame rail.",
    "15. The method of claim 9, wherein said projection includes a circumferential groove, and said recess includes a rotatable bolt including a channel sized and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of said projection and mateably engage said circumferential groove within said channel.",
    "16. The method of claim 9, further comprising engaging a surgical device with the device clamp, positioning the surgical device along six degrees of freedom, and after positioning the surgical device, securing the surgical device by tightening a tightening fastener to substantially prevent further movement of the surgical device.",
    "17. The method of claim 16, wherein said device clamp includes a plurality of mating surfaces defining spherical portions.",
    "18. A method of assembling a retractor for retracting body tissue, comprising: providing a frame rail having a cross section defining first and second widened sections, each of said first and second widened sections having opposing surfaces, said first and second widened sections separated relative to each other by a narrowed portion, said frame rail formed in separable portions, each portion including a projecting portion and a recessed portion, the projection portion mateable with the recessed portion to connect the separable portions; providing a supporting frame arm connectable to a surface that is affixable relative to the body tissue; providing a frame arm clamp connectable to said frame arm, and having opposed clamping surfaces each shaped to conformingly engage said opposing surfaces of said first widened section, said frame arm clamp further including a connector connecting said opposed clamping surfaces and configured to move said clamping surfaces into conforming contact with said opposing surfaces by rotating a nut; providing a table arm, and providing a table arm clamp for holding both the supporting frame arm and the table arm such that along a longitudinal axis of the first portion of the table arm, the second portion is in a different plane from the supporting frame arm."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates to a system and method for retracting body tissue during surgery, and in particular, retracting tissue during a surgical procedure involving an anterior approach to the spine.\n\nAn anterior approach, through the abdomen, may be used to treat a variety of spine related disorders, whether inherent, or related to disease or trauma. For example, an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) may be performed, where a portion of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus may be removed, and replaced with a stabilizing device. Alternatively, one or more spine levels may be stabilized by attachment of a flexible or rigid rod or plate to the exterior of adjacent vertebral bodies.\n\nAn anterior approach affords advantages with respect to a posterior, or posterior lateral approach, particularly in that the spinal cord is more easily avoided when accessing the vertebral body. However, there are other structures, particularly including veins and nerve branches, which must alternatively be carefully avoided. Often, two surgeons participate in an anterior approach to the spine, for example a vascular surgeon primarily responsible for the approach, and a spine surgeon responsible for the corrective spinal procedure.\n\nA retractor moves and or retains body tissue away from a site being treated, and facilitates access to the site through or around intervening body tissue, for example the peritoneum and its contained structures. A retractor may be secured to, and supported by, the operating table, or other structure within the operating theatre.",
  "cpc": [
    "A61B 17/0293",
    "A61B 17/02",
    "A61B 2090/571",
    "A61B 90/50",
    "B25B 5/16",
    "Y10T 29/49817",
    "Y10T 29/49959"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61B 1/32",
    "A61B 17/02",
    "A61B 90/00",
    "A61B 90/50",
    "A61B 90/57",
    "B25B 5/16"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Globus Medical Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Adam Friedrich",
    "Jason Cianfrani",
    "Matthew Bechtel"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-04-21",
  "publication_date": "2018-09-25",
  "grant_date": "2018-09-25",
  "priority_date": "2012-03-13",
  "application_number": "US-201715493177-A",
  "family_id": "46547574",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US3970075A",
    "US4457300A",
    "US5529358A",
    "US6083154A",
    "US7232411B2",
    "EP1269922A1",
    "WO2005070283A1",
    "WO2007085909A2",
    "US20080234551A1",
    "US8100827B2"
  ]
}