Devices and method for access and visualization for lumbar interbody fusion (lif)

Abstract

A camera and expandable bladed retractor system. The system includes a camera, with a distal-most optical element disposed over the proximal end of the lumen or surgical channel established by the retractor blades. The camera may be fixed to the retractor, either to the proximal end of a blade or to a frame member.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A retractor system comprising:
 a frame;   a plurality of retractor blades characterized by a distal end and a proximal end, said retractor blades secured to the frame at their respective proximal ends, said frame operable to move the blades toward a first closely-spaced configuration and toward a second widely-spaced configuration, said retractor blades defining a central longitudinal axis and a proximal retractor opening near the proximal end of the blades, and a distal retractor opening proximate the distal ends of the retractor blades, and a surgical channel extending from said distal retractor opening and said distal retractor opening;   a camera assembly slidably mounted on the retractor system, and slidable along the length of a retractor blade toward and away from the distal retractor opening, said camera system characterized by a viewing axis and a distal optical element, said camera slidable to align the viewing axis such that the viewing axis intersects the central longitudinal axis near the distal retractor opening when the retractor blades are transitioned between the first closely-spaced configuration and the second widely-spaced configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The retractor system of  claim 1 , wherein the camera is slidably mounted on the retractor system with a clip slidably secured to a long edge of a retractor blade. 
     
     
         3 . The retractor system of  claim 1 , wherein the camera is slidably mounted on the retractor system with a braking mechanism slidable within a channel in a retractor blade.