BACKGROUND

Retractor systems may be used in a variety of different surgical procedures to provide an opening through which the doctor may access the surgical site. In spinal surgeries, for example, a retractor system may be used to provide the surgeon with access to the patient's spine. The opening created by the retractor system may, for example, enable the doctor to insert surgical instruments into the body or enable visualization of the surgical site using X-ray.

Retractor systems may include a plurality of blades. In use, the blades may be inserted into an incision and then retracted to displace tissue surrounding the incision, thereby exposing the surgical site. To minimize trauma to the tissue, this tissue displacement should be refined and controlled. However, current retractor systems do not provide desired control of the distraction. More particularly, the devices currently in use limit the ability of the surgeon to feel the resistance at the blades as tissue is being retracted. The devices currently in use also limit the surgeon's ability to position and rotate the blades independently. This limited control takes away the skilled surgeon's ability to finely adjust the movement of the retractor blades.

There is a need in the art for a system and method that addresses the shortcomings discussed above.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a retractor system includes a first blade assembly comprising a first retractor blade. The system also includes a second blade assembly comprising a second retractor blade. The system also includes a table arm, the table arm including a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to be secured in place adjacent an operating area. The system also includes a blade-to-blade articulating arm including a first end and a second end. The second end of the table arm can be fastened to the first retractor blade. The first end of the blade-to-blade articulating arm can be fastened to the first retractor blade. The second end of the blade-to-blade articulating arm can be fastened to the second retractor blade.

In another aspect, a retractor system includes a first retractor blade, a second retractor blade, and a third retractor blade. The system also includes a table arm, the table arm including a first end and a second end, where the first end is configured to be secured in place adjacent an operating area. The system also includes a first blade-to-blade articulating arm including a first end and a second end and a second blade-to-blade articulating arm including a first end and a second end. Each of the first retractor blade, the second retractor blade and the third retractor blade comprise two connectors. An end of the table arm is configured to fasten to a first connector of the first retractor blade. A first end of the first blade-to-blade articulating arm is configured to fasten to a second connector of the first retractor blade. A second end of the first blade-to-blade articulating arm is configured to fasten to a first connector of the second retractor blade. A first end of the second blade-to-blade articulating arm is configured to fasten to a second connector of the second retractor blade. A second end of the second blade-to-blade articulating arm is configured to fasten to a connector of the third retractor blade.

In another aspect, a method of positioning a retractor system within a body includes steps of inserting a first retractor blade into an incision in the body and inserting a second retractor blade into the incision after the first retractor blade has been inserted, where the second retractor blade can be positioned independently of the first retractor blade. The method also includes steps of coupling an end of a table arm to the first retractor blade, inserting a third retractor blade into the incision after the first retractor blade and the second retractor blade have been inserted, coupling a first end of a first blade-to-blade articulating arm to the first retractor blade and coupling a second end of the first blade-to-blade articulating arm to the third retractor blade, coupling a first end of a second blade-to-blade articulating arm to the third retractor blade, and coupling a second end of the second blade-to-blade articulating arm to the second retractor blade.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims.

