Screw with deployable interlaced dual rods

• US 20060149237A1
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Malandain, Hugues F., Markworth, Aaron D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,811,311 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/279
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7005 Parts of the longitudinal elements, e.g. their ends, being specially adapted to fit in the screw or hook heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7007 Parts of the longitudinal elements, e.g. their ends, being specially adapted to fit around the screw or hook heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7011 Longitudinal element being non-straight, e.g. curved, angled or branched adjustable length longitudinal elements A61B17/7014; A61B17/7019 takes precedence, e.g. coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7032 Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/704 the longitudinal element passing through a ball-joint in the screw head

Abstract

A medical device and methods of use thereof are provided for supporting a structure (e.g., bone). A screw assembly is provided that is comprised of a base, one or more arms, and an interconnection means for coupling the base to the one or more arms. The interconnection means allows the arm to be positionable in a first position that is parallel to a long axis of the base and positionable in a second position that is perpendicular to the long axis of the base. The base is configured for attachment to a structure and the one or more arms configured for attachment to one or more support structures. A support structure is provided that includes an aperture having locking means, which can be configured as an open-ended saddle for attachment to a medical device (e.g., a screw assembly) after installation in a patient.

Claims

1. A medical device for supporting a structure comprising:

a screw assembly, the screw assembly including

a base,

one or more arms,

an interconnection means for coupling the base to the one or more arms, the interconnection means allowing the one or more arms to be positionable in a first position that is substantially parallel to a long axis of the base, and secondarily positionable substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the base,

the base configured for attachment to a structure in a patient and the one or more arms configured for attachment to one or more support structures.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the structure in a patient is bone.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the screw assembly has an overall length sized for subcutaneous support of the posterior of a spine.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the base is comprised of

a base head and an anchor.

5. The medical device of claim 4, wherein the interconnection means is comprised of the base head and wherein the base head includes

a receiver and a setscrew.

6. The medical device of claim 5, wherein the setscrew secures the base to the one or more arms of the screw assembly.

7. The medical device of claim 5, wherein tightening the setscrew effects locking of the one or more arms in a position in relation to the base.

8. The medical device of claim 4, wherein the interconnection means is comprised of the base head and wherein the base head includes a hinge means.

9. The medical device of claim 5, wherein the one or more arms are comprised of a body;

wherein the body has an elongate shape and includes

a connector end for attachment to a support structure, and

a receiver end for connection to the base head receiver portion of the interconnection means.

10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the elongate shape of the arm body includes an offset section;

wherein the offset section is configured to provide a linear alignment of the base and the arm body when the arm is positioned substantially parallel to a long axis of the base.

11. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the elongate shape of the arm body is a shape configured for fitted interrelation between two or more arms positioned in a first position that is substantially parallel to a long axis of the base.

12. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the receiver end of the one or more arms and the receiver portion of the base head include a hinge means.

13. The medical device of claim 12, wherein a means is provided for locking the arm into a position substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the base.

14. The medical device of claim 13, wherein the means provided for locking the arm is selected from the list consisting of a one-way ratchet, a setscrew and a cam.

15. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the screw assembly includes two arms and the receiver ends of the two arms are configured for interconnection.

16. The medical device of claim 15, wherein one of the receiver ends of the two arms includes

a first collet-type receiver end having a substantially cylindrical recess, and the other receiver end of the two arms includes

a substantially cylindrical shape for interconnection with the first collet-type receiver.

17. The medical device of claim 15, wherein one of the receiver ends of the two arms includes

a first collet-type receiver end having a substantially spherical recess, and the other receiver end of the two arms includes

a substantially spherical shape for interconnection with the first collet-type receiver.

18. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more support structures are comprised of:

an anchor,

an aperture configured for attachment of an arm of the screw assembly, and

a locking means configured to lock the arm of the screw assembly to the support structure.

19. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the interconnection means is selected from the list consisting of a hinge, a pin and a collet.

20. A method of supporting the spine, the method comprising the steps of:

1) delivering to bone a screw assembly having one or more arms, a base and an interconnections means;

2) delivery to flanking bone one or more support structures having an aperture and locking means for the arms of the screw assemblies;

3) deploying the one or more arms of the screw assembly to the flanking support structures;

4) locking the one or more arms of the screw assembly in a desired position; and

5) engaging the locking means of the support structure aperture.