[54] LUMBAR SPINAL FUSION RETRACTOR AND DISTRACTOR SYSTEM
[76] Inventors: Tibor B. Koros; Gabriel J. Koros,
both of 610 Flinn Ave., Moorpark, Calif. 93021
[21] Appl. No.: 08/935,761 [22] Filed: Sep. 23, 1997
[51] Int. CI.6 A61B 17/02
[52] U.S. CI 600/232; 600/235; 600/231
[58] Field of Search 600/201, 217,
600/210, 231, 232, 233, 235
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
1,706,500 3/1929 Smith 600/232
4,852,552 8/1989 Chaux 600/232
5,027,793 7/1991 Engelhardt et al 600/235 X
5,728,046 3/1998 Mayer et al 600/210
5,755,660 5/1998 Tyagi 600/232 X
5.788,630 8/1998 Furnish 600/232
5,795,291 8/1998 Koros et al 600/235 X
US005944658A
[ii] Patent Number: 5,944,658
[45] Date of Patent: Aug. 31,1999
Primary Examiner—-Jeffrey A. Smith
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—David O'Reilly
[57] ABSTRACT
A lumbar laminectomy retractor and distractor system comprised of a unique retractor system and unique distractor system. The retractor has one or more retractor frames including retractor blades for placement in an incision. The blades can be placed in an incision and then engaged by a retractor frame to spread the incision for viewing the surgical site. An optional, but preferred feature is a provision for tilting the retractor frame arms to spread the retractor blades, providing greater visualization of a surgical site. The distractor system has a distractor frame offset at right angles to the retractor frame, having fixed distractor blades, introduced into the incision and optionally held in place by screws, screwed into the vertebrae adjacent to the diseased or damaged disc. The screws are incorporated into the distractor blades on the distractor frame. The design of the retractor and distractor frames, with foldable crank arms, provide a low profile minimizing interference and allowing use of two or more retractors if desired.
