US 12,011,197 B2
Method and apparatus for performing spinal surgery
Troy B. Woolley, Erie, CO (US); Nathan Lovell, Oceanside, CA (US); Michael Serra, San Diego, CA (US); and Mark Peterson, Central Point, CA (US)
Assigned to Nuvasive, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by NuVasive, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on May 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/325,888.
Application 15/394,156 is a division of application No. 14/029,724, filed on Sep. 17, 2013, granted, now 9,554,833, issued on Jan. 31, 2017.
Application 17/325,888 is a continuation of application No. 17/193,927, filed on Mar. 5, 2021.
Application 17/193,927 is a continuation of application No. 16/243,060, filed on Jan. 8, 2019, granted, now 10,980,576, issued on Apr. 20, 2021.
Application 16/243,060 is a continuation of application No. 15/394,156, filed on Dec. 29, 2016, granted, now 10,172,652, issued on Jan. 8, 2019.
Application 14/029,724 is a continuation of application No. 13/204,583, filed on Aug. 5, 2011, granted, now 8,535,320, issued on Sep. 17, 2013.
Application 13/204,583 is a continuation of application No. 12/927,415, filed on Nov. 10, 2010, granted, now 8,357,184, issued on Jan. 22, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/259,825, filed on Nov. 10, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2021/0267645 A1, Sep. 2, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/02 (2006.01); A61B 1/32 (2006.01); A61B 17/70 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/7077 (2013.01) [A61B 1/32 (2013.01); A61B 17/0206 (2013.01); A61B 17/7076 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0256 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for performing a spinal fixation procedure on a spinal segment of human spine, the spinal segment including at least a first vertebra and a second vertebra separated from the first vertebra by an intervertebral disc space, comprising:
creating an operative corridor at least in part by:
anchoring a first retractor blade to a pedicle of the first vertebra with a first bone anchor; and
anchoring a second retractor blade to a pedicle of the second vertebra with a second bone anchor;
advancing a third retractor blade through the operative corridor to the spinal segment, connecting the third retractor blade to a translating arm of a retractor body, and translating the translating arm to expand the operative corridor;
fixing the spinal segment by inserting and locking a rod to the first pedicle and the second pedicles; and
removing the first, second, and third retractor blades from the operative corridor and closing the operative corridor;
wherein the step of fixing the spinal segment further comprises:
disconnecting the first retractor blade from a first portion of the first bone anchor and attaching a first receiver to the first portion of the first bone anchor;
disconnecting the second retractor blade from a first portion of the second bone anchor and attaching a second receiver to the first portion of the second bone anchor; and
inserting and locking the rod into the first receiver and second receiver.