Non-rigid surgical retractor

Abstract

The present invention provides a non-rigid retractor for providing access to a surgical site, such as a patient's spine, during a surgical process. When used in spinal surgery, the non-rigid retractor allows a surgeon to operate on one or more spinal levels. The non-rigid retractor includes at least one flexible strap anchored at a first end to the spine or other internal body part at the surgical site. The body of the at least one flexible strap extends from a skin incision and is anchored at a second location external to the body to retract skin and muscle from the surgical site, allowing adequate visualization of the surgical site and providing access for implants and surgical instruments to pass through the retractor and into the surgical site

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings illustrate principles of the invention and, although not to scale, show relative dimensions.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a non-rigid surgical retractor of an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a non-rigid surgical retractor including a plurality of flexible straps according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a non-rigid surgical retractor including a plurality of flexible straps anchored using an anchoring ring according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an anchoring ring.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of an anchoring ring.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a non-rigid surgical retractor including a plurality of flexible straps connected distally to a ring according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram for an exemplary embodiment of a method of using a non-rigid retractor of the invention.

FIG. 8A illustrates an embodiment of a retractor/guide and drill used in installing a non-rigid retractor of the invention.

FIG. 8B illustrates an embodiment of an inserter tool used in installing a non-rigid retractor of the invention

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an embodiment of a system for inserting a non-rigid retractor of the invention.

Claims

1. A non-rigid retractor for retracting tissues in an incision for a surgical site, comprising: a flexible strap formed at least partially of a biocompatible material; anda first anchor for anchoring a first portion of the flexible strap to a body part within the incision.

2. The non-rigid retractor of claim 1, wherein the first anchor is formed at a first end of the flexible strap.

3. The non-rigid retractor of claim 2, further comprising a second anchor for anchoring a second portion of the flexible strap at a location external to the incision site.

4. The non-rigid retractor of claim 3, wherein the second anchor comprises a ring having a central opening for surrounding the incision site and anchoring portions distributed on the periphery of the ring for receiving the second portion of the flexible strap.

5. The non-rigid retractor of claim 4, wherein the ring includes at least one notch for receiving the second portion of the flexible strap.

6. The non-rigid retractor of claim 4, wherein the anchoring portions comprise clamps for clamping the second portion of the flexible strap.

7. The non-rigid retractor of claim 3, wherein the second anchor comprises a self adhesive anchor.

8. The non-rigid retractor of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible material comprises one of: wool, silk, cotton, linen, hemp, ramie, jute, acetate, acrylic, lastex, nylon, polyester, rayon, spandex, carbon fiber, fiberglass, Kevlar, Teflon, ceramic, carbon, graphite, rubber, Polyglycolic Acid (PGA), Poly 1-Lactid Acid (PLA), PTFE, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, and combinations thereof.

9. The non-rigid retractor of claim 1, further comprising a second flexible strap including a second anchor for anchoring the second flexible strap to a body part within the incision.

10. The non-rigid retractor of claim 9, wherein the first and second flexible straps are connected to a connection member disposed within the incision that anchors the first and second flexible straps to the body part.

11. The non-rigid retractor of claim 9, further comprising an anchoring ring having a central opening sized to surround the incision for anchoring the first and second flexible straps external to the incision.

12. The non-rigid retractor of claim 9, further comprising an adhesive for anchoring external to the incision.

13. The non-rigid retractor of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of flexible straps having anchors for anchoring the straps to a body part within the incision.

14. The non-rigid retractor of claim 1, wherein the first anchor comprises a resorbable anchor.

15. The non-rigid retractor of claim 1, wherein the first anchor comprises a biocompatible anchor.

16. The non-rigid retractor of claim 1, wherein the first anchor comprises an intermediate anchor.

17. The non-rigid retractor of claim 1, further comprising an illuminant coupled to the flexible strap for illuminating the surgical site.

18. The non-rigid retractor of claim 1, further comprising an illuminant coupled to the anchor for illuminating the surgical site.

19. The non-rigid retractor of claim 1, wherein the flexible strap contains therapeutic agents for delivery at the surgical site.

20. A method of providing access to a surgical site in a patient, comprising the steps of: attaching an anchor on a distal end of a flexible strap formed of a biocompatible material to a bone in the surgical site through an incision; andpulling a proximal end of the flexible strap out of the incision.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of: retracting tissue surrounding the incision using the flexible strap; andanchoring the proximal end of the flexible strap external to the incision.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of anchoring the proximal end of the flexible strap comprises securing the proximal end of the flexible strap using adhesive.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of anchoring the proximal end of the flexible strap external to the incision comprises the steps of: placing an anchoring ring externally over the incision, the anchoring ring having a central opening for surrounding the incision site and anchoring portions distributed on the periphery of the ring for receiving the proximal ends of the flexible strap; andsecuring the proximal end of the flexible strap in an anchoring portion distributed on the periphery of the ring.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of disconnecting the anchor from the flexible strap after completion of a surgical procedure at the surgical site.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of preparing the incision prior to attaching an anchor.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of preparing the incision comprises the steps of: inserting a guide into the incision;sweeping back muscle and tissue from the surgical site; andfinding a target for attaching a flexible strap formed of a biocompatible material.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of inserting a serial dilator into the incision to increase the diameter of the incision prior to the insertion of the guide into the incision.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of attaching an anchor comprises the steps of: inserting a hollow insertion cannula in the incision;passing an anchor on a distal end of a flexible strap formed of a biocompatible material through the hollow insertion cannula such that the body of the flexible strap extends through a hollow opening in the hollow insertion cannula;attaching the anchor on the flexible strap to a target; andpulling the hollow insertion cannula over the flexible strap so that the flexible strap extends from the incision.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the bone is a vertebra of the spine and the surgical site is a spinal column of a patient.

30. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of coupling an illuminant to the flexible strap to illuminate the incision site.

31. An anchoring device for a spinal retractor, comprising; an annular ring having a central opening for surrounding an incision for accessing a surgical site; andanchoring means on the periphery of the ring for receiving a portion of a flexible strap extending from the incision and anchored to a body part within the incision.

32. The anchoring device of claim 31, wherein the anchoring means comprises a plurality of slots in the annular ring for receiving and retaining a portion of a flexible strap by friction fit.

33. The anchoring device of claim 31, wherein the anchoring means comprises a plurality of clamps for clamping a portion of a flexible strap.

34. A system for providing access to a surgical site in a patient, the system comprising: a cannula for providing access to a surgical site; anda non-rigid retractor loaded inside the cannula, the non-rigid retractor comprising a flexible strap formed at least partially of a biocompatible material and a first anchor for anchoring a first portion of the flexible strap to a body part at the surgical site.

35. The system of claim 34 further comprising an insertion tool for attaching the first anchor of the one or more non-rigid retractors to a body part at the surgical site.