Abstract: A method for accessing the spine includes making an incision in the skin of a patient. The skin and tissue can be dilated, and a cannula inserted through the dilated skin and tissue. The cannula includes a distal end positioned adjacent a first working space that includes paraspinous tissue. The cannula can be repositioned through the incision to a second working space adjacent the distal end of the cannula.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing percutaneous spinal surgery under direct visualization and through a single cannula are shown. A device (10) is provided which includes an elongated cannula (20) having a first inner diameter (DI) and an outer diameter (DO) sized for percutaneous introduction into a patient. The cannula (20) defines a working channel (25) between its ends (21, 22) which has a second diameter (D2) equal to the diameter (DI) of the cannula sized for receiving a tool therethrough. An elongated viewing element (50) is engageable to the cannula (20) adjacent the working channel (25), preferably by a fixture (30). The fixture (30) includes a housing (31) attachable to the proximal end (22) of the cannula (20) that defines a working channel opening (35) which is in communication with the working channel (25). The housing (31) also defines an optics bore (60) adjacent the working channel opening (35).

Abstract: A method for accessing the spine includes making an incision in the skin of a patient. The skin and tissue can be dilated, and a cannula inserted through the dilated skin and tissue. The cannula includes a distal end positioned adjacent a first working space that includes paraspinous tissue. The cannula can be repositioned through the incision to a second working space adjacent the distal end of the cannula.

Abstract: A device for retracting tissue that includes a cannula and a retractor positionable in the working channel of the cannula. The retractor includes a working tip configured to atraumatically displace tissue as the retractor is manipulated through the tissue.

Abstract: A device (10) is provided which includes an elongated cannula (20) having a first inner diameter (DI) and an outer diameter (DO) sized for percutaneous introduction into a patient. The cannula (20) defines a working channel (25) between its ends (21, 22) which has a second diameter (D2) equal to the diameter (DI) of the cannula sized for receiving a tool therethrough. An elongated viewing element (50) is engageable to the cannula (20) adjacent the working channel (25), preferably by a fixture (30, 170). The fixture (30, 170) includes a housing/body (31, 171) attachable to the proximal end (22) of the cannula (20). The housing (31) defines an optics bore (60, 180) to support a viewing element (50) for translation and rotation relative to the cannula (20) so that the longitudinal axis of the optics bore (60, 180) will translate parallel to and rotate about the longitudinal axis of the working channel (25).

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing percutaneous spinal surgery under direct visualization and through a single cannula are shown. A device (10) is provided which includes an elongated cannula (20) having a first inner diameter (DI) and an outer diameter (DO) sized for percutaneous introduction into a patient. The cannula (20) defines a working channel (25) between its ends (21, 22) which has a second diameter (D2) equal to the diameter (DI) of the cannula sized for receiving a tool therethrough. An elongated viewing element (50) is engageable to the cannula (20) adjacent the working channel (25), preferably by a fixture (30). The fixture (30) includes a housing (31) attachable to the proximal end (22) of the cannula (20) that defines a working channel opening (35) which is in communication with the working channel (25). The housing (31) also defines an optics bore (60) adjacent the working channel opening (35).

Abstract: A fixture for performing percutaneous surgery under direct visualization and through a single cannula includes a housing/body attachable to the proximal end of the cannula by a ring. The ring encircles the cannula and is provided with a pair of opposing arms defining a slot therebetween. A mechanism connected to the arms is operable to compress and release the arms such that the fixture can grip the cannula at a plurality of locations along the cannula. The housing/body includes a support column extending between the housing/body and the ring and an optics bore for supporting a portion of a viewing element.

Abstract: A method for percutaneous surgery on the spine of a patient under direct visualization is performed through a single cannula having a predetermined length. The length is determined by measuring a distance from the lamina of a spinal vertebra to the skin of the patient, determining a first portion of the length to be less than the measured distance, and determining a second portion of the length to be about one fourth (1/4) the length of the first portion. The first portion is the length of the cannula to be introduced into the patient and the second portion extends external to the patient. This length is preferably 5.5 to 7.0 times greater than the transverse dimension of the cannula. Such dimensions for the cannula permits the longitudinal axis of a tool to be angled between 5 degrees and 8 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing percutaneous spinal surgery under direct visualization and through a single cannula are shown. A device (10) is provided which includes an elongated cannula (20) having a first inner diameter (D.sub.I) and an outer diameter (D.sub.O) sized for percutaneous introduction into a patient. The cannula (20) defines a working channel (25) between its ends (21, 22) which has a second diameter (D.sub.2) equal to the diameter (D.sub.I) of the cannula sized for receiving a tool therethrough. An elongated viewing element (50) is engageable to the cannula (20) adjacent the working channel (25), preferably by a fixture (30). The fixture (30) includes a housing (31) attachable to the proximal end (22) of the cannula (20) that defines a working channel opening (35) which is in communication with the working channel (25). The housing (31) also defines an optics bore (60) adjacent the working channel opening (35).

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing percutaneous spinal surgery under direct visualization and through a single cannula are shown. A device (10) is provided which includes an elongated cannula (20) having a first inner diameter (D.sub.I) and an outer diameter (D.sub.O) sized for percutaneous introduction into a patient. The cannula (20) defines a working channel (25) between its ends (21, 22) which has a second diameter (D.sub.2) equal to the diameter (D.sub.I) of the cannula sized for receiving a tool therethrough. An elongated viewing element (50) is engageable to the cannula (20) adjacent the working channel (25), preferably by a fixture (30). The fixture (30) includes a housing (31) attachable to the proximal end (22) of the cannula (20) that defines a working channel opening (35) which is in communication with the working channel (25). The housing (31) also defines an optics bore (60) adjacent the working channel opening (35).

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing percutaneous surgery under direct visualization and through a single cannula are shown. A device (10) is provided which includes an elongated cannula (20) having a first inner diameter (D.sub.I) and an outer diameter (D.sub.O) sized for percutaneous introduction into a patient. The cannula (20) defines a working channel (25) between its ends (21, 22) which has a second diameter (D.sub.2) equal to the diameter (D.sub.I) of the cannula sized for receiving a tool therethrough. An elongated viewing element (50) is engageable to the cannula (20) adjacent the working channel (25), preferably by a fixture (30, 170). The fixture (30, 170) includes a housing/body (31, 171) attachable to the proximal end (22) of the cannula (20).

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing percutaneous spinal surgery under direct visualization and through a single cannula are shown. A device (10) is provided which includes an elongated cannula (20) having a first inner diameter (D.sub.I) and an outer diameter (D.sub.O) sized for percutaneous introduction into a patient. The cannula (20) defines a working channel (25) between its ends (21, 22) which has a second diameter (D.sub.2) equal to the diameter (D.sub.I) of the cannula sized for receiving a tool therethrough. An elongated viewing element (50) is engageable to the cannula (20) adjacent the working channel (25), preferably by a fixture (30). The fixture (30) includes a housing (31) attachable to the proximal end (22) of the cannula (20) that defines a working channel opening (35) which is in communication with the working channel (25). The housing (31) also defines an optics bore (60) adjacent the working channel opening (35).