Patent attributes
An apparatus and methods for a spinal retractor utilizing spirally retracting blades to provide a surgical portal. The retractor system comprises a blade assembly and mechanism to open and close the blades. The blade assembly comprises a set of blades arranged in a mostly circular formation coupled to an actuator. The retractor system utilizes a mechanism such as a slot-and-follower to actuate the blades in a spiral motion. Each blade in the blade assembly maintains tangential contact to each adjacent blade during expansion and contraction of the device. The circumferential retractor blade arrangement completely separates the soft tissue being retracted from the surgical portal being created allowing for the surgical site to be free from any encroaching internal tissue.
