Minimal exposure posterior spinal interbody instrumentation and technique

Patent Number: 6200322, issued on 2001/03/13    
Applied on 1999/08/13
Inventor(s): Charles L Branch, Lawrence M Boyd, Eddie F Ray III
Assignee: SDGI Holdings, Inc.

Abstract: A surgical method for preparing a site for implantation of a spinal implant into a disc space in which the disc space is first distracted by a novel stepped distractor, followed by insertion of a novel guide sleeve including a proximal portion having an uninterrupted side wall and a distal portion having a side wall defining a longitudinal opening extending along its entire length. The guide sleeve is seated adjacent the disc space with the longitudinal opening positioned opposite the dural region of the spine to provide a working channel to the disc space. A cutting tool is then inserted through the guide sleeve to remove tissue and bone laterally extending into the interior of the guide sleeve through the longitudinal opening, but only as much as necessary for passage of the spinal implant. In a further embodiment, a protective barrier, including a pair of overlapping, flexible leaf members, is operably attached to the inside surface of the guide sleeve and positioned across the longitudinal opening to separate the inner region of the guide sleeve from the outer surgical environment.