The present invention relates to a device (and corresponding method) that protects (e.g., shields and/or retracts) exiting and/or descending nerve (e.g., nerve root). This may be carried out in a controlled, unobtrusive manner during, for example, Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (“TLIF”), Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (“PLIF”), or Minimally Invasive Surgery (“MIS”) spinal procedures. Further, the device may be form-fit to one or more particular ones of the following: nerve, pedicle, annulus, vertebral body, interbody device.