Tlif distraction and retraction

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2026083484-A1
Application number	US-202519199595-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 6, 2025
Priority date	May 24, 2022
Publication date	Mar 26, 2026
Grant date	—

Abstract

Distractor and retractor systems and methods of using the same. A pedicle-based distractor assembly may include a base supporting a distraction rack, a pair of moveable arms coupled to the distraction rack, a connector at the end of each arm, each connector having a through-opening, and a pair of distractor elements each configured to attach to a pedicle screw. Each distractor element may be positioned through the through-opening in the respective connector. The distractor elements are modular such that different types of distractor elements, such as headless posts, pre-assembled posts, or minimally invasive towers, are interchangeable with the connectors. The assembly may also include a retractor assembly with a medial retractor blade for retracting soft tissue. The medial retractor blade may have one or more translating components at a distal for retracting soft tissue.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for performing pedicle-based surgical distraction, said method comprising:
providing pedicle-based distractor and retractor system including:
a distraction rack supporting a pair of side arms and a central arm, a connector at the end of each side arm, and a pair of distractor elements engaged with the connectors, and
a medial retraction blade coupled to the central arm, the medial retraction blade includes a blade body, a blade connector, a first translating component, and a second translating component, wherein the blade connector is coupled to a proximal end of the blade body and configured to engage the central arm;
attaching the pair of distraction elements to a pedicle screw; and
engaging soft tissue with the first translating component and the second translating component, wherein each of the first translating component and the second translating component are configured to independently move from a first position to a second position.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the blade connector includes a star grind and a shaft.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the shaft is receivable in an axial opening of the central arm.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the shaft includes a tapered distal tip with a circumferential groove.

5 . The method of claim 5 , wherein a central arm includes a button and the button defines an opening configured to receive the shaft, and when locked, the button locks into the groove of the shaft.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the central arm includes a wave spring and a washer positioned between the star grind and the button.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the central arm includes a click-in connector configured to engage and retain the blade connector.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second t components include dovetail slots to engage with complimentary dovetail features on a distal end of the blade body.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first position is a retracted position and the second position is an extended position.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the first translating component is disposed adjacent the second translating component.

11 . A method for performing pedicle-based surgical distraction, said method comprising:
providing pedicle-based distractor and retractor system including:
a distraction rack supporting a pair of side arms and a central arm, a connector at the end of each side arm, and a pair of distractor elements engaged with the connectors, wherein the central arm includes a click-in connector, and
a medial retraction blade coupled to the central arm, the medial retraction blade includes a blade body, a blade connector, a first translating component, and a second translating component, wherein the blade connector is coupled to a proximal end of the blade body and configured to engage the central arm via the click-in connector; and
attaching the pair of distraction elements to a pedicle screw; and engaging soft tissue with the first translating component and the second translating component, wherein each of the first translating component and the second translating component are configured to independently move from a first position to a second position.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the blade connector includes a star grind and a shaft.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the shaft is receivable in an axial opening of the central arm.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the shaft includes a tapered distal tip with a circumferential groove.

15 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the click-in connector includes a button and the button defines an opening configured to receive the shaft, and when locked, the button locks into the groove of the shaft.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the central arm includes a wave spring and a washer positioned between the star grind and the button.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the click-in connector configured to engage and retain the blade connector.

18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the first and second translating components include dovetail slots to engage with complimentary dovetail features on a distal end of the blade body.

19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the first position is a retracted position and the second position is an extended position.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the first translating component is disposed adjacent the second translating component.

Assignees

• Globus Medical Inc

Inventors

• Gelber Jared
• Kahmer Damien

Classifications

• A61B17/0206 Primary

  with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements · CPC title

• A61B17/708

  with tubular extensions coaxially mounted on the bone anchors · CPC title

• A61B2017/0256

  for the spine · CPC title

• A61F2/4455

  for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442) · CPC title

• A61B17/7082

  for driving, i.e. rotating, screws or screw parts specially adapted for spinal fixation, e.g. for driving polyaxial or tulip-headed screws · CPC title