US 12,029,453 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, PA (US)
Filed by NuVasive, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/353,997.
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 17/353,997 is a continuation of application No. 17/193,927, filed on Mar. 5, 2021, granted, now 11,911,078.
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 2021/0307790 A1, Oct. 7, 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)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for performing a spinal fixation procedure, the method comprising:
coupling a distal end of a first retractor blade to a first portion of a first bone anchor;
after coupling the first retractor blade: anchoring the first bone anchor to a first region of bone;
uncoupling the first retractor blade from the first bone anchor having a first shank disposed in the first region of bone; and
after uncoupling the first retractor blade:
coupling a first receiver to the first bone anchor;
inserting a rod into the first receiver; and
locking the rod to the first receiver.