MINIMALLY DISRUPTIVE RETRACTOR AND ASSOCIATED METHODS FOR SPINAL SURGERY

Abstract A tissue retractor comprises first and second elongated rack members dimensioned to translate linearly in opposite directions, each rack member having a toothed side. An access retractor body 5 includes a rack housing configured to receive the first and second rack members, a pinion positioned between the first and second rack members simultaneously engaged with the toothed sides of each of the first and second rack members, a pawl operable to prohibit translation of the first and second rack members, and a torque input element in communication with the pinion and operable to cause translation of the first and second rack members. A first adjustable retractor 0 arm is fixedly attached to the first rack member in a perpendicular orientation and includes a proximal segment fixedly attached to the first rack member, and a distal segment coupled to the proximal segment, the distal segment including a blade engagement post and a splay assembly. A second adjustable retractor arm is fixedly attached to the second rack member in a perpendicular orientation and includes a proximal segment fixedly attached to the second rack member and a 5 distal segment coupled to the proximal segment, the distal segment including a blade engagement post and a splay assembly. A retractor blade includes a coupler and a blade portion, the coupler being configured to releaseably receive the blade post of the first retractor arm, the blade portion extending distally from the coupler and having a distal end comprising a fixed portion and a pivot portion, the pivot portion being coupled to the fixed portion with a pin such '0 that the pivot portion pivots away from the fixed portion in a plane parallel to the width of the blade portion, the pivot portion being moveable between a closed, non-pivoted position and an open, pivoted position.