US 12,357,350 B2
Minimally invasive spinal fixation system and related methods
Fernando Olea, San Diego, CA (US); Andrew Schafer, Encinitas, CA (US); Scott Lish, Oceanside, CA (US); Robert German, San Diego, CA (US); Justin Doose, San Diego, CA (US); Derek Matteo, San Diego, CA (US); Garrett T. Offerman, Irvine, CA (US); James Coleman Lee, San Diego, CA (US); and Conrad Tyler Hammann, Carlsbad, CA (US)
Assigned to NuVasive, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by NuVasive, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/178,694.
Application 18/178,694 is a continuation of application No. 16/898,713, filed on Jun. 11, 2020, granted, now 11,596,453.
Application 16/898,713 is a continuation of application No. 15/896,605, filed on Feb. 14, 2018, granted, now 10,716,600, issued on Jul. 21, 2020.
Application 15/896,605 is a continuation of application No. 14/631,839, filed on Feb. 25, 2015, granted, now 9,907,582, issued on Mar. 6, 2018.
Application 14/631,839 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/456,210, filed on Apr. 25, 2012, granted, now 9,198,698, issued on Dec. 1, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/078,059, filed on Nov. 11, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/944,513, filed on Feb. 25, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/553,052, filed on Oct. 28, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/478,658, filed on Apr. 25, 2011.
Prior Publication US 2023/0200863 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/02 (2006.01); A61B 17/16 (2006.01); A61B 17/60 (2006.01); A61B 17/70 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/68 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/7079 (2013.01) [A61B 17/1671 (2013.01); A61B 17/60 (2013.01); A61B 17/7001 (2013.01); A61B 17/7002 (2013.01); A61B 17/7032 (2013.01); A61B 17/7035 (2013.01); A61B 17/708 (2013.01); A61B 17/7082 (2013.01); A61B 17/7085 (2013.01); A61B 17/7086 (2013.01); A61B 17/7088 (2013.01); A61B 17/7089 (2013.01); A61B 17/7091 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00407 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0046 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0256 (2013.01); A61B 2017/681 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A minimally invasive surgical retractor comprising:
a first arm extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof along a first longitudinal axis;
a second arm configured to couple to the first arm, the second arm extending from a proximal end thereof to a distal end thereof along a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis;
an actuation assembly configured to couple to the first arm and the second arm and further configured to cause the first arm and the second arm to rotate relative to each other about a third longitudinal axis,
wherein the third longitudinal axis is parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis;
a first retractor blade configured to couple to the distal end of the first arm;
a second retractor blade configured to couple to the distal end of the second arm;
wherein the first arm comprises a first central portion between the proximal end of the first arm and the distal end of the first arm,
wherein the first central portion comprises a recess formed in an underside of the first arm,
wherein the first central portion further comprises an aperture formed in the top surface of the first central portion, wherein a lip of the aperture forms an overhang; and
wherein the actuator assembly further comprises an actuator comprising:
a head configured to be actuated by a drive tool;
an upper lip configured to contact an upper surface of the overhang;
a lower lip configured to contact an underside of the overhang; and
a circumferential recess extending between the upper lip and the lower lip,
wherein the circumferential recess is configured to mate with the aperture.