SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING OPTIMAL RETRACTOR LENGTH IN MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURES

摘要

A measurement instrument (60, 80) is provided with indicia (68, 92) extending therealong. The measurement instrument indicia (68, 92) is correlated with an indicator of a reference instrument. The measurement instrument (60, 80) is positionable adjacent the entry location of a portal (18) into a patient when the reference instrument is in the portal (18.) The indicator of the reference instrument is correlated to a target location in the patient, and a location of the indicator along the indicia (68, 92) provides an indication of the optimal length for a retractor to be positioned in the portal (18).