Orthopedic implant rod reduction tool set and method

• US 20050192579A1
• Filed: 02/27/2004
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuvasive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Roger P. Jackson
• Inventors: Jackson, Roger P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,470,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/914
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7085 for insertion of a longitudinal element down one or more hollow screw or hook extensions, i.e. at least a part of the element within an extension has a component of movement parallel to the extension's axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7091 for applying, tightening or removing longitudinal element-to-bone anchor locking elements, e.g. caps, set screws, nuts or wedges

Abstract

A tool set for implanting a rod in a human spine in conjunction with bone screws. The tool set includes a pair of end guide tools that receive opposite ends of the rod in channels and under manipulation by a surgeon facilitate transport of the rod toward the bone screws attached to the guide tools. Intermediate guide tools having guiding pass through slots are utilized to guide intermediate locations along the rod toward associated bone screws. An attachment structure operably connects the guide tools to the bone screws. The guide tools each include a lower guide and advancement structure to allow a closure top with mating structure to be rotated and driven downward against the rod and to cooperate with similar structure in the bone screw to seat and lock the rod therein. A method utilizing the tool set allows a surgeon to percutaneously implant the rod in the patient.

Claims

1. A tool set for implanting a spinal rod in a patient;

said tool set comprising;

a) a pair of end guide tools;

b) each of said end guide tool being adapted to attach at a lower end thereof to a respective spinal implant bone screw;

c) each of said end guide tools including a longitudinal guide channel extending upwardly from said lower end thereof;

each of said channels being sized and shaped to be adapted to receive opposite ends of the rod for operably guiding the rod ends toward respective bone screws;

d) each of said end guide tools have a helically wound first guide and advancement structure located near a bottom thereof;

e) said first guide and advancement structure providing a helical pathway adapted to rotatably and matingly receive a mating structure of a bone screw closure top; and

f) said first guide and advancement structure also being adapted to be aligned with a second guide and advancement structure on a respective bone screw so as to continue said helical pathway when a respective guide tool is attached to a respective bone screw and so as to be adapted to transfer the closure top between a respective guide tool and a respective bone screw upon rotation of the closure top.

2. An intermediate guide tool for use with a spinal implant bone screw;

said tool including;

a) lower attachment structure adapted for attachment to a respective bone screw;

b) a longitudinal pass through slot extending from a bottom thereof upward and being adapted to receive therethrough and guide the rod to a bone screw attached to said intermediate guide tool;

c) a helically wound first guide and advancement structure located near a bottom of said intermediate guide tool;

d) said first guide and advancement structure providing a helical pathway adapted to rotatably and matingly receive a mating structure of a bone screw closure top; and

e) said first guide and advancement structure also being adapted to be aligned with a second guide and advancement structure on a bone screw so as to continue said helical pathway when said guide tool is attached to a bone screw and so as to be adapted to transfer the closure top between said guide tool and the bone screw upon rotation of the closure top.

3. A vertebral support rod implantation kit adapted for use with a plurality of vertebra including:

a) a plurality of polyaxial bone screws with each bone screw being adapted for implantation in one vertebra;

each of said bone screws having a mating attachment structure;

b) an elongate rod sized and shaped to extend between a pair of end bone screws of said plurality of bone screws;

c) a pair of end guide tools;

d) each of said end guide tools including an end guide tool attachment structure at a lower end thereof that operably and removably connects with said bone screw mating attachment structure of a respective bone screw;

e) each of said end guide tools including a longitudinal guide channel extending upwardly from near said lower end thereof;

each of said channels being sized and shaped to slidingly receive opposite ends of the rod for operably guiding the rod ends toward respective bone screws

f) each of said end guide tools have a first helically wound guide and advancement structure located near a bottom thereof;

g) said first guide and advancement structure providing a helical pathway adapted to rotatably and matingly receive a mating guide and advancement structure of a bone screw closure top; and

h) said first guide and advancement structure also being operably alignable with a second guide and advancement structure located on a respective bone screw so as to continue said helical pathway when a respective guide tool is attached to a respective bone screw and so as to be adapted to transfer the closure top between a respective guide tool and the bone screw upon rotation of the closure top.

5. The kit according to claim 3 including:

a) the closure top having the mating guide and advancement structure thereon.

4. A vertebral support rod implantation kit adapted for use with a plurality of vertebra including:

a) a plurality of polyaxial bone screws with each bone screw being adapted for implantation in one vertebra;

each of said bone screws having a mating attachment structure;

b) an elongate rod sized and shaped to extend between a pair of end bone screws of said plurality of bone screws;

c) a pair of end guide tools;

d) each of said end guide tools including an end guide tool attachment structure at a lower end thereof that operably and removably connects with said bone screw mating attachment structure of a respective bone screw;

e) each of said end guide tools including a longitudinal guide channel extending upwardly from near said lower end thereof;

each of said channels being sized and shaped to slidingly receive opposite ends of the rod for operably guiding the rod ends toward respective bone screws;

f) at least one intermediate guide tool having an intermediate guide tool attachment structure that operably and removably connects with said mating attachment structure of a respective bone screw;

g) each of said intermediate tools including a longitudinal pass through slot extending from the bottom thereof upward and operably receiving therethrough and guiding intermediate locations along the rod to a respective bone screw attached to the intermediate guide tool;

h) each of said end and intermediate guide tools have a first helically wound guide and advancement structure located near a bottom thereof;

i) said first guide and advancement structure providing a helical pathway adapted to rotatably and matingly receive a mating guide and advancement structure of a bone screw closure top; and

j) said first guide and advancement structure also being operably alignable with a second guide and advancement structure located on a respective bone screw so as to continue said helical pathway when a respective guide tool is attached to a respective bone screw and so as to be adapted to transfer the closure top between a respective guide tool and the bone screw upon rotation of the closure top.

6. In a guide tool for seating a rod in a spinal implant bone screw and in combination with the bone screw;

the improvement comprising;

a) said guide tool being operably connectable to said bone screw and having a lower first guide and advancement structure;

b) said bone screw having upwardly extending arms forming a rod receiving channel therein and having a second guide and advancement structure;

c) said first and second guide and advancement structures being positioned and aligned when said guide tool is connected to said bone screw so as to form a continuous helically wound path.

7. The combination of claim 7 including:

a) a closure top for closing said rod receiving channel between said arms and having thereon a helically wound mating guide and advancement structure that is operably received along said helically wound path upon rotation.

8. The combination according to claim 8 wherein:

a) said closure top mating guide and advancement structure and said bone screw second guide and advancement structure include interlocking members so as to be interlocking upon being mated.

9. The combination according to claim 9 wherein:

a) said first guide and advancement structure has a square thread.