Spinal stabilization systems and methods
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.
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Citations
122 Claims
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1-64. -64. (canceled)
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65. A method for inserting a spinal stabilization system in a human spine, comprising:
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making an incision in skin near human vertebrae to be stabilized;
pulling the incision toward a first one of the human vertebrae to be stabilized;
inserting a first bone fastener assembly in the incision and securing the first bone fastener assembly to the first human vertebra;
pulling the incision toward a second one of the human vertebrae to be stabilized; and
inserting a second bone fastener assembly in the incision and securing the second bone fastener assembly to the second human vertebra. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85)
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86. A method for inserting a spinal stabilization system in a human spine, comprising:
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making an incision in skin near human vertebrae to be stabilized;
inserting a first bone fastener assembly in the incision and securing the first bone fastener assembly to a first one of the human vertebrae to be stabilized;
creating a substantially trapezoidal tissue plane near the human vertebrae to be stabilized, wherein the substantially trapezoidal plane has a dimension near the human vertebrae that is larger than the opposite dimension near the incision; and
inserting a second bone fastener assembly in the incision and securing the second bone fastener assembly to a second one of the human vertebrae to be stabilized. - View Dependent Claims (87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92)
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93. A method for inserting a spinal stabilization system in a human spine, comprising:
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making an incision near human vertebrae to be stabilized;
inserting a first bone fastener assembly in the incision and securing the first bone fastener assembly to a first one of the human vertebrae;
creating a tissue plane between the first bone fastener assembly and another one of the human vertebrae to be stabilized;
inserting one or more other bone fastener assemblies in the incision and securing each of the other bone fastener assemblies to another one of the human vertebrae to be stabilized; and
bending an elongated member to allow coupling of the bone fastener assemblies with the elongated member without substantially enlarging a length of the incision. - View Dependent Claims (94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99)
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100. A method of inserting a spinal stabilization system in a human spine, comprising:
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making an incision in skin near human vertebrae to be stabilized;
inserting a first bone fastener assembly coupled to a first sleeve in the incision and securing the first bone fastener assembly to a first one of the human vertebrae;
allowing the incision to determine an angle of the first sleeve relative to a bone fastener of the first bone fastener assembly;
creating a tissue plane between the first sleeve and another one or more of the human vertebrae to be stabilized;
inserting one or more other bone fastener assemblies, each coupled to a sleeve, in the incision and securing each of the other bone fastener assemblies to another one of the human vertebrae to be stabilized; and
guiding an elongated member down at least one channel in at least one of the sleeves, through the incision, and through the tissue plane toward the bone fastener assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (101, 102, 103, 104, 105)
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106. A positioner for positioning an elongated member in a portion of a spinal implant system, comprising:
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a hollow outer shaft comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to a handle and the second end is coupled to a grasping member;
an inner shaft comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is proximate the handle, and the second end is proximate the grasping member, wherein the inner shaft is positioned in the outer shaft such that the inner shaft can move in the outer shaft;
wherein the positioner is configured to grasp an elongated member between the grasping member and the second end of the inner shaft during use; and
wherein the positioner is configured to allow a user of the positioner to grasp an elongated member and position the elongated member in the portion of the spinal implant system in a human body.
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107-119. -119. (canceled)
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120. A method of positioning an elongated member in a portion of a spinal stabilization system coupled to human vertebrae, comprising:
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grasping the elongated member with a tool, wherein an angle between the elongated member and a shaft of the tool is determined by a user of the tool;
inserting the elongated member through an incision in skin near the human vertebrae, wherein an angle of the elongated member relative to the skin during insertion is determined by the user of the tool;
advancing the elongated member through a tissue plane toward the portion of the spinal stabilization system; and
positioning the elongated member in the portion of the spinal stabilization system, wherein an angle between the elongated member and the shaft of the tool is adjustable by the user during the positioning.
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121. (canceled)
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122. (canceled)
Specification