U.S. patent application number 16/869003 was filed with the patent office on 2020-08-20 for devices and method for access and visualization for lumbar interbody fusion (lif).
This patent application is currently assigned to Rebound Therapeutics Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Rebound Therapeutics Corporation. Invention is credited to Ravut Chhit, Peter G. Davis, Michael R. Henson, Todd D. McIntyre, Ross Tsukashima, Jeffrey J. Valko.
Application Number | 20200261071 16/869003 |
Document ID | 20200261071 / US20200261071 |
Family ID | 1000004808828 |
Filed Date | 2020-08-20 |
Patent Application | download [pdf] |
United States Patent
Application |
20200261071 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chhit; Ravut ; et
al. |
August 20, 2020 |
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.
Inventors: |
Chhit; Ravut; (Irvine,
CA) ; Davis; Peter G.; (Irvine, CA) ;
Tsukashima; Ross; (Irvine, CA) ; McIntyre; Todd
D.; (Irvine, CA) ; Valko; Jeffrey J.; (Irvine,
CA) ; Henson; Michael R.; (Irvine, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rebound Therapeutics Corporation |
Irvine |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Rebound Therapeutics
Corporation
Irvine
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000004808828 |
Appl. No.: |
16/869003 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16262543 |
Jan 30, 2019 |
10646212 |
|
|
16869003 |
|
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|
62795845 |
Jan 23, 2019 |
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62624021 |
Jan 30, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/0218 20130101;
A61B 1/32 20130101; A61B 17/0206 20130101; A61B 90/361 20160201;
A61B 2017/0256 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/02 20060101
A61B017/02; A61B 90/00 20060101 A61B090/00; A61B 1/32 20060101
A61B001/32 |
Claims
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.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/262,543, filed Jan. 30, 2019, pending, which claims priority
to U.S. Provisional Application 62/624,021, filed Jan. 30, 2018,
expired, and U.S. Provisional Application 62/795,845, filed Jan.
23, 2019, expired.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS
[0002] The inventions described below relate to the field of spine
surgery.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various conditions of the spine, such as herniated discs,
arthritis (spondylosis), misalignment of the spine
(spondylolisthesis, scoliosis or hyperlordosis/kyphosis) can be
treated with minimally invasive surgery, which is accomplished
through narrow channels created and maintained by expandable bladed
retractors. For example, Lumbar Interbody Fusion surgery is used to
fuse adjacent vertebra, to treat a variety of conditions. The
surgery entails removal of a portion of an intervertebral disc,
placement of a "cage" or "interbody fusion device" between the
discs, and placement of bone graft material between the discs (and
subsequent installation of screws and posts to hold the two
vertebrae in place while they fuse together). To gain access to the
intervertebral disc in a minimally invasive surgery, a surgeon may
approach the spine through a retractor system placed in one of
several pathways. The spine may be approached from the side of the
patient (lateral lumbar interbody fusion), from the front of the
patient (anterior lumbar interbody fusion), obliquely from the
front of patient (oblique lumbar interbody fusion), from the back
of the patient (posterior or transforamen lumbar interbody fusion),
and obliquely from the back of the patient (oblique lateral
interbody fusion). Especially for the deeper routes (anterior,
oblique, and lateral routes), a retractor system with long
retractor blades is used, and visualization is currently obtained
through a surgical loop or a surgical microscope intermittently
looking down the passage. These instruments are necessarily
disposed quite a distance from the surgical opening, making it
difficult to view the surgical space, and require a surgeon to look
through the loop or microscope, which may require taking on an
uncomfortable posture while performing surgery. Visualization
through an endoscope has also been proposed, with the endoscope
disposed within the channel established by the retractor blades and
extending to the distal end of the blades, near the surgical field.
The endoscope takes up valuable space within the channel, and does
not provide a view of tool tips within the channel, and the field
of view may be limited if the endoscope is placed close to the
surgical field.
SUMMARY
[0004] The devices and methods described below provide for improved
lateral surgical access and visualization for minimally invasive
lumbar interbody fusion procedures, to treat conditions of the
spine such as herniated discs, arthritis (spondylosis),
misalignment of the spine (spondylolisthesis, scoliosis or
hyperlordosis/kyphosis). The devices comprise bladed retractors
which include two or more blades which are separable to retract
tissue overlying the spine, and a camera disposed at the proximal
end of the retractor. The device can further comprise an optical
assembly including a lens and a prism, disposed on one of the
retractor blades, which may be moved along the length of the blade,
to obtain a view of a surgical site deep within the body, or an
optical assembly including a lens and a prism, disposed on one of
the retractor blades, which may be tilted over the opening of the
retractor, to obtain a view of a surgical site deep within the
body. The camera assembly may also be mounted on a camera boom,
attachable to the retractor system, which allows for translation of
the camera on 2 or 3 axes relative to the retractor frame or
surgical opening, and/or allows for rotation of the camera to align
the camera viewing axis with the surgical workspace at the distal
end of the retractor blades. With these features, a surgeon can
obtain images of a surgical field deep within the body, through a
surgical channel maintained by retractor blades of variable
configuration, and alter the viewing axis of the camera as
necessary to account for expansion of the bladed retractor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates typical surgical approaches to the spine,
for which the retractor may be used.
[0006] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrates a bladed retractor system
suitable for access to the lumbar spine, fitted with optical
elements and a proximally mounted camera.
[0007] FIGS. 5 and 6 are proximal views of the bladed retractors
system of FIGS. 2 and 4.
[0008] FIG. 7 illustrates a retractor system with splayed blades,
with a camera rotatably mounted on the proximal end of a blade.
[0009] FIG. 8 shows the retractor system with a camera slidably
mounted on a retractor blade.
[0010] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiments of the retractor
system.
[0011] FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 illustrate systems comprising a
camera assembly configured for attachment to a bladed retractor,
with a mount for adjustably mounting the camera over the surgical
opening maintained by the retractor blades.
[0012] FIG. 15 illustrates a system comprising the camera assembly
mounted on a table-fixed flex arm, to be used in conjunction with a
bladed retractor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates typical surgical approaches to the spine,
for which the retractor may be used. This illustration shows a
coronal cross section of a patient 1, taken through the midsection
at the level of the lower back and lumbar spine. Lumbar Interbody
Fusion surgery is used to fuse one vertebra, such as vertebra 2, to
an adjacent vertebra, to treat a variety of conditions. The surgery
entails removal of a portion of an intervertebral disc, placement
of a "cage" or "interbody fusion device" between the discs, and
placement of bone graft material between the discs (and subsequent
installation of screws and posts to hold the two vertebrae in place
while they fuse together). To gain access to the intervertebral
disc in a minimally invasive surgery, a surgeon may approach the
spine through a retractor system 3 placed in one of several
pathways. As shown in FIG. 1, the spine may be approached from the
side of the patient (lateral lumbar interbody fusion), from the
front of the patient (anterior lumbar interbody fusion), obliquely
from the front of patient (oblique lumbar interbody fusion), from
the back of the patient (posterior or transforamen lumbar interbody
fusion), and obliquely from the back of the patient (oblique
lateral interbody fusion). Especially for the deeper routes
(anterior, oblique, and lateral routes), a retractor system with
long retractor blades is used, and visualization, which is
currently obtained through a surgical loop or a surgical microscope
intermittently looking down the passage, may instead be obtained
with a camera assembly with optical components mounted to one of
the retractor blades or retractor frame arms. Images obtained by
the camera can be displayed on a display screen viewable by the
surgeon, and the surgeon can perform procedures through the
retractor while viewing the procedure on the display. (This system
may use multiple camera assemblies, including a separate camera
assembly on each blade.)
[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2 through 7, the system includes the
retractor 3 comprised of several blades 4 depending from a frame 5.
Fixation elements 6 (manually operable screws, clamps, or any other
manually operable means for fixation) at the proximal end of each
blade are interoperable with the arms 7 of the frame. The frame
holds the blades in rigid but adjustable relationship to each other
and the frame opening 8, over a surgical opening 9 in the patient,
to maintain a surgical channel 9C between the blades, providing
access to the surgical workspace at or beyond the distal end of the
retractor blades. The blades may be provided in many forms. As
shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the blades are half-pipes which, when
positioned together make up a complete tube, and, when separated,
comprise two opposing half-pipes defining and bounding the surgical
opening 9 which is the open space suitable for insertion of tools
between the retractor blades to reach tissue at the distal end of
the retractor blades (i.e., a surgical corridor). The blades may be
flat and straight, or flared, instead of the partial pipes shown.
The frame may be provided in many forms. The form in FIG. 5 is
common, and includes one or more ratcheted frame members 10 and
corresponding frame arms 7, with blades 4 fixed to the blade arms.
The frame arms may be moved incrementally along the ratcheted frame
members to move the blades toward or away from each other to
retract body tissue outside the blades, and the blades may be
movable along the frame arms to adjust the distance between the
blades and the ratcheted frame member. FIG. 4 shows the retractor
of FIG. 2 with the blade separated, space along the frame (the
frame is shown in FIG. 5). Various configurations of bladed
retractors are in use, with various structures for adjusting the
spacing of the blades. For example, the frame can comprise a
plier-style tool, with jaws set on hinges, as in a TIMBERLINE.RTM.
retractor or MAXACESS.RTM. retractor, where the jaws are equivalent
to the arms of a framed retractor, or the frame comprises a system
with arms that slide along straight or curved frame members, such
as the Braun MIASPAS.RTM. retractor, the Globus Medical Mars
retractor, or the Medtronic DLIF retractor. The split tube (pair of
half pipes) makes up the retractor shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, but any
number of blades may be used to make up the split tube. As shown in
FIG. 6, a retractor system can include a tube retractor with four
quarter-pipe segments. (And, as shown in FIG. 10, a retractor
system can include a tube retractor with three blades.)
[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a camera assembly (a camera, or
the image sensing and optical components of a camera), are disposed
on the proximal end of one of the blades (or on the frame). The
camera 11, shown in more detail in FIG. 3, comprises the prism or
reflector (or set of mirrors) 12, a lens or lenses 13 (which may
include an achromatic lens or other doublet), the imaging device 14
and the control system 15 (if provided in the camera component of
the system). The camera assembly may also include a focal length
adjustment knob 16 for translating the imaging sensor along the
primary imaging axis, relative to the housing. The lens 13 may be
part of an optical assembly that includes additional optical
components (filters, beam splitters, etc.). The imaging device 14
may be any suitable image sensor such as a CCD sensor or CMOS
sensor. The control system 15 may include a controller, data
processing components and transmitters such as a controller and a
transmitter and appropriate image processing software to control
the camera and transmit data from the camera (the data output
system may be located off the device). Suitable cables or wireless
transmitters may be used to connect the camera to a display system
and a power supply. The imaging sensor is characterized by an
imaging plane, and the prism is aligned with the imaging plane to
direct light directed parallel to the imaging plane toward the
imaging plane. As illustrated, the imaging plane is parallel to the
long axis of the assembled blades, and the prism/reflector is
disposed along a line perpendicular to the imaging plane, and is
oriented to direct light from the surgical field at the distal end
of the cannula tube onto the imaging plane.
[0016] In the system of FIGS. 2 and 4, all the components of the
camera assembly are disposed proximate the proximal end of the
retractor blades, with the distal-most optical component of the
camera assembly (such as the distal face of the prism or the distal
surface of an objective lens) proximate the proximal end of the
retractor blades, and preferably proximal to the proximal end of
the retractor blades (and, preferably, outside the body of the
patient), so that the entirety of the camera assembly is located
outside the lumen established by the retractor blades and bounded
by the distal and proximal ends of the retractor blades.
[0017] The arranged retractor blades define the surgical channel
and a longitudinal axis 17L which extends through the space defined
and bounded by the blades. The imaging sensor has an imaging sensor
viewing axis (a primary viewing axis) 17S, extending at a
perpendicular to the sensor surface and intersecting a radially
facing surface of the prism. As illustrated, the central
longitudinal axis and the imaging sensor viewing axis intersect at
about an 85-95.degree. angle. In alternative configurations, the
angle is within the range of about 45.degree. to 135.degree., or
within the range of about 60.degree. to 120.degree.. The angle may
be greater than or less than 90.degree. depending upon the desired
configuration and the distance between the retractor blades when
separated during use.
[0018] The prism is characterized by a prism viewing axis 17P (a
secondary viewing axis, which is the line of sight through the
cannula, from the prism to the distal end of the cannula) which
intersects a distal surface of the prism, and extends axially
distally through the tubular body toward target tissue. The prism
viewing axis preferably intersects a longitudinal axis of the blade
assembly (a central axis, for symmetrical blade arrangements, or a
near central axis for other configurations) near the distal end of
the blades, or within about 4 cm or 2 cm or less from the distal
end of the cannula. The prism overhangs the retractor opening by no
more than about 25% of the inside diameter of the lumen, generally
by no more than about 15% or 10% or less of the inside diameter of
the retractor opening (when the blades are closed together as shown
in FIG. 2), such that it minimally interferes with instruments
passing through the retractor opening. Thus, the prism viewing axis
17P preferably resides at an angle to the central longitudinal
axis. Depending on the type of prism used, the prism viewing angle
may be perpendicular to the distal optical surface of the prism
(for a reflective, right angle prism shown in the figures, in which
the long surface is used as the roof, for example), and the prism
may be disposed over the retractor opening such that the distal
optical surface is tilted slightly, relative to the transverse
plane of the retractor opening, to aim the prism viewing axis at
the desired point, such as an intersection with the central
longitudinal axis of the retractor opening at the distal end of the
cannula. For other reflective and deflective prisms for which the
viewing angle is not perpendicular to the distal optical surface,
the distal optical surface can be angled, as appropriate, to aim
the prism viewing axis at the desired point such as an intersection
with the central longitudinal axis of the cannula at the distal end
of the cannula. Various forms of prisms may be used, including a
pentaprism, half pentaprism (a non-inverting and non-reverting
prism which bends light 45.degree. from the prism viewing axis, so
that the imaging sensor viewing axis may be disposed at about a
45.degree. angle to the prism viewing axis or the cannula
longitudinal axis), a Schmidt prism (an inverting and reverting
prism which bends light 45.degree. from the prism viewing axis, so
that the imaging sensor viewing axis may be disposed at about a
45.degree. angle to the prism viewing axis or the central
longitudinal axis), Porro prisms (an inverting and reverting prism
which displaces the light entering the prism to an offset but
parallel path, so that the imaging sensor viewing axis may be
parallel to but radially displaced from to the prism viewing axis
or the central longitudinal axis) or other prisms, or combinations
or configurations of prisms (and Amici/Penta prism combination, for
example, or a right angle prism disposed with the long surface
facing distally, so that the right angle surfaces serve the
reflecting surfaces to redirect the image along an anti-parallel
path to the prism viewing axis, optionally paired with a second
right angle prism to redirect the image to a parallel but offset
path, or a Bauerfeind prism), operable to reflect or displace light
from the distal end of the cannula toward the imaging sensor.
[0019] The central longitudinal axis of the system is variable,
depending on how far apart the blades are positioned. The camera is
thus hinged to the retractor system, either to the frame or to the
proximal end of a blade, such that it is rotatable about an axis
perpendicular to a long axis of the surgical channel. The camera
may be secured to the system through a hinge, a crescent hinge, a
flex hinge or rocker 18, so that the camera may be tilted to direct
the prism viewing axis to the center of the surgical field distal
to the blades (or elsewhere in the surgical field). The camera may
be tilted manually by the surgeon, or it may be tilted in response
to opening of the retractor blades, through linkages connecting the
camera and hinged to the retractor frame members and the retractor
arms. Also, the retractor system may be capable of splaying the
blades, so that the distal tips of the blades are farther apart
than the proximal end of the blade. This is depicted FIG. 7. With
the camera assembly rotatably mounted on the frame or blade, the
camera may be rotated to keep the prism viewing axis directed
toward the desired point in the surgical space. This will typically
be a point at or near an intersection of the central longitudinal
axis at or near the distal end of the blades, or just distal to the
distal end of the blades. The rotation of the camera may be
accomplished through mechanical linkages to the frame and blade, or
it may be accomplished manually by the surgeon using the retractor.
The rotation may be accomplished gradually as the retractor blades
move from a closed configuration to an open configuration and
vice-versa, or it may be accomplished step-wise, or only when
re-configuration is complete.
[0020] FIG. 8 shows the retractor system with a camera slidably
mounted on a retractor blade. With the camera components sized
appropriately, the camera assembly 11 is slidably mounted on the
retractor blade through the mount 19. This can be accomplished with
a clip slidably secured to a long edge of a blade, or with a bolt
or braking mechanism secured to the camera assembly and a
corresponding channel in a blade, such that the bolt and camera
assembly are slidable along the channel. The camera and bolt can be
secured in the channel with a friction fit or detents or any other
mechanism that allows a surgeon to manually slide the camera with
minimal force yet maintain the position of the camera once set by
the surgeon. The camera is preferably rotatably fixed to the
channel, through a hinge or flex hinge, so that it may be rotated
or tilted toward the center of the surgical field as the camera is
moved proximally and distally along the blade, or as the blades are
opened or splayed. Where the camera is quite small relative to the
retractor opening, the camera assembly can be provided without a
prism or reflector, and the imaging sensor viewing axis can be
aimed toward the center of surgical field, and the camera can be
rotated as describe above to keep the imaging sensor viewing axis
intersecting the central longitudinal axis (as described above for
keeping the prism viewing axis intersecting the central
longitudinal axis) near the distal end of the system.
[0021] As an alternative to slidably mounting the camera to a
blade, the camera assembly can include an optical pipe or fiber
bundle disposed above or below the distal face of the prism (such
that that distal-most optical surface is displaced distally from
the imaging sensor), and the entire assembly can be translated
distally or proximally along a blade. A prism may be used both at
the distal end of the optical pipe to establish an optical pathway
from the center of surgical field to the light pipe, and at the
proximal end of the optical pipe to turn light from the optical
pipe toward the imaging sensor. In each case, the camera assembly,
in particular the distal most optical element (the prism, the tip
of the fiber bundle, or a lens at the tip of the fiber bundle) can
be translated longitudinally within the surgical opening. A light
source can be added to the camera assembly, or to the inner surface
of a blade. The camera assembly is preferably electrically isolated
from the blades (if the blades are metallic).
[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the retractor system 20.
This system includes three blades 21 joined to a frame 22 of fixed
proportions through flex hinges. The camera is mounted to the frame
via a hinge (a crescent hinge, for example). The frame is fitted
with a post 23 which may be secured to a mounting arm, which in
turn may be fixed to an operating table used to support the patient
during surgery. A number of LED's 24 are inset in the interior
surface of the blades, near the distal end of the blades, to
illuminate the surgical field. FIG. 10 illustrates another
embodiment of the retractor system 25, with a camera retrofitted on
a plier-type retractor system. This system includes three blades 21
joined to jaws 26 of an expandable frame, with the camera mounted
on the frame near the distal end of one of the blades. In each
case, the camera may be mounted to the frame via a hinge such that,
as the jaws are opened to enlarge the retractor opening, the camera
may be rotated or tilted to direct the viewing axis toward the
desired area of the surgical field at the distal end of the
blades.
[0023] In use, the cannula blades are positioned in a closed
relationship, as close together as the frame will allow, inserted
into a surgical opening in the body of a patient, and then gently
pulled open to retract tissue outside the blade and enlarge the
surgical opening. This will provide access to tissue deep within
the body. In a lateral interbody fusion procedure, the pathway and
corresponding retractor blades are quite long (20 centimeters or
so), and it may be quite difficult to see tissue at or beyond the
distal end of the retractor. The camera is used to obtain an image
of the surgical field, to be displayed on a display screen visible
to the surgeon, so that the surgeon may insert tools through the
surgical opening, going through the surgical channel held open by
the retractor blades, and manipulate the tools while viewing the
surgical field (and at least a portion of the surgical channel) and
tools on the display screen. The surgeon may tilt the camera, or
slide the camera along a blade, as desired to obtain a desired
field of view.
[0024] The camera assembly and mounting structures can be provided
in configurations specific to particular retractors, or provided in
configuration which can fit many retractors of various
configurations. For example, the camera assembly may be fixed to an
adjustable clamp or spring clip suitable to attachment to the
frame, arm, jaw, or blade of various configurations.
[0025] FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 illustrate systems comprising a
camera assembly configured for attachment to a bladed retractor,
with a mount for adjustably mounting the camera assembly over the
surgical opening maintained by the retractor blades. In this system
shown in FIG. 11, the retractor comprises the frame 5 including the
ratcheted frame members 10 and arms 7 mounted on the ratcheted
frame members 10, and the blades 4 which establish the surgical
opening 9. The camera assembly 11 is secured to the retractor
system through an articulating camera boom 31, which comprises boom
arms necessary to suspend the camera over the surgical opening 9,
with all the components of the camera assembly proximate the
proximal end of the retractor blades, with the distal-most optical
component of the camera assembly (such as the distal face of the
prism or the distal surface of an objective lens) proximate the
proximal end of the retractor blades, and preferably proximal to
the proximal end of the retractor blades (and, preferably, outside
the body of the patient), so that the entirety of the camera
assembly is located outside the lumen established by the retractor
blades and bounded by the distal and proximal ends of the retractor
blades. In this embodiment, the articulating camera boom comprises
a clamp 32 configured for releasable attachment to the frame arm 7,
a first boom arm 33 extending away from the ratcheted frame member
and beyond the blades (relative to the ratcheted frame member), and
a second boom arm 34 extending inwardly from the first boom arm 33
to a position beyond the tips of the frame arms 7. The clamp may be
slidably mounted to the frame arm, or the first boom arm 33 may be
slidably connected to the clamp, so that the first boom arm 33 may
be translated along a first axis of the retractor. The second boom
arm 34 may be slidably mounted to the first boom arm 33, so that
second boom arm 34 may be translated along a second axis of the
retractor. The second boom arm 34 may also be rotatably mounted to
the first boom arm 33, or the first boom arm may be rotatably
mounted on the clamp. The camera assembly is mounted to the second
boom arm 34, with the viewing axis aligned to the surgical opening.
The camera is rotatable, relative to the first and second boom
arms, about the long axis of the second boom arm 34, so that the
viewing axis maybe tilted as necessary to point toward the surgical
workspace at the distal end of the blades. The camera assembly may
be rotatably fixed to the second boom arm 34 through a post 35
rotationally fixed to the camera housing but rotatably fixed to the
second boom arm 34 (the post may fit within a bore of the second
boom arm 34, or it may be formed as a turret the fits over a
cylindrical portion of the second boom arm 34), or the second boom
arm 34 may be rotatably fixed to the first boom arm 33. The second
boom arm may also be rotatably mounted to the first boom arm, such
that it is rotatable about its long axis, in which case the camera
may be rotationally fixed to the second boom arm. Also, the camera
assembly may be translatable, toward and away from the first boom
arm 33 (while rotatably held within the second boom arm 34, to
position the viewing axis near the center line C of the retractor
frame arms and blades as they expand. To provide for this
translation, the camera may be slidably secured to the second boom
arm 34 through the post, which is, in addition to being rotatable
relative to the second boom arm 34, slidably fixed within a bore 36
of the second boom arm 34. The boom arms may also be rotatably
joined, to that the boom arms themselves may be rotated at a hinge
point connecting the boom arms.
[0026] The configuration illustrated in FIG. 11 provides for
positioning the camera assembly on a variety of existing bladed
retractor systems in an obtrusive position, with the blades
disposed between the camera assembly and the retractor frame member
10, and the specific construction can be varied as needed to fit
various retractor systems or to place the camera in different
positions relative to the retractor frame components. One such
variation is shown in FIG. 12, which uses the same configuration of
the camera assembly 11 and the post 35 orthogonally fixed to the
camera assembly, with the long axis of the post disposed
perpendicular to the sensing axis and/or the viewing axis, and the
first boom arm 33 attached to the retractor frame member 10,
between the frame arms 7. Another variation is shown in FIG. 13, in
which the camera frame 31 consists of a single boom arm 33,
slidably or translatably secured to the ratcheted frame member 10
with a toggle clamp 37, and the camera assembly is slidably mounted
to the single boom arm so that it may be translated toward and away
from the center of the surgical opening. The camera assembly may
also be rotatable about the long axis of the boom arm. In this
embodiment, the post 35 is disposed on the camera assembly in
parallel relationship with the sensor viewing axis (which, in this
embodiment, is perpendicular to the viewing axis of the camera
assembly.)
[0027] FIG. 14 illustrates a system in which the camera assembly 11
is secured to the retractor frame through a flexible and malleable
member, such as flex arm (also referred to as a gooseneck or a
snake clamp) 38. The flexible and malleable member may be fixed to
the retractor 5 at any point, and is illustrated secured to the
ratcheted frame member 10. A ball joint 39 or hinge can be used to
secure the camera assembly to the flexible and malleable member. In
this embodiment, the camera assembly can be disposed about the
surgical opening and proximal retractor opening, with its viewing
axis aimed at the surgical channel or workspace, by manipulating
the flex arm (and the ball joint, if it is provided).
[0028] FIG. 15 illustrates a system comprising the camera assembly
mounted on a table-fixed flex arm, to be used in conjunction with a
bladed retractor, to visualize a surgical channel established by
the retractor blades or the surgical field at or near the distal
end of the retractor blades. This system includes the camera
assembly 11 mounted to the tip of table-fixed flex arm 41. A
mounting tab 42 is fixed to the camera (the camera may be rotatable
upon the tab upper surface, or rotatable relative to the long axis
or transverse axis of the mounting tab) at one end, and fixed to
the end of the flex arm at the other end. The flex arm includes a
clamp 43 at one end for secure attachment to an operating table 44
or other structure fixed relative to the patient during surgery,
and a second clamp for secure attachment of the camera assembly at
the other end. A communication cable 45 used to connect the camera
to a display system and a power supply can run along the flex arm.
With the flex arm secured to the operating table, and the retractor
installed in a surgical opening of the patient to establish the
surgical channel 9C, a surgeon may position the camera over the
surgical opening established by the retractor, with the prism
viewing axis 17P pointed that the surgical field at the distal end
of the retractor blades, to obtain images of the surgical field.
The camera assembly, including the prism and the distal surface of
the prism, are preferably held away from the body, proximal to
(superficial to, or away from the body relative to) the surgical
opening 9 and outside the surgical channel 9C. This system in
intended for use in conjunction with a retractor disposed within a
surgical opening of a patient, but may be used with any surgical
opening with or without a retractor in the surgical opening.
[0029] The retractor systems described above can be used to
approach various structures in the body, including the lumbar spine
as described above, the thoracic spine, the cervical spine through,
for example, an anterior approach, and various other deep
tissues.
[0030] While the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods
have been described in reference to the environment in which they
were developed, they are merely illustrative of the principles of
the inventions. The elements of the various embodiments may be
incorporated into each of the other species to obtain the benefits
of those elements in combination with such other species, and the
various beneficial features may be employed in embodiments alone or
in combination with each other. Other embodiments and
configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of
the inventions and the scope of the appended claims.
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