METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING SPINAL SURGERY

• US 20070016188A1
• Filed: 08/09/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Theken Spine LLC (Orthofix Medical Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Theken Spine LLC (Orthofix Medical Inc.)
• Inventors: Boehm, Frank, Melnick, Benedetta
• Granted Patent: US 8,202,304 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7002 Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7004 with a cross-section which varies along its length A61B17/7019 takes precedence
• 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 17/7032 Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7037 wherein pivoting is blocked when the rod is clamped
• 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 17/90 Guides therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32004 having a laterally movable cutting member at its most distal end which remains within the contours of said end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 used as instrument channel for multiple instruments catheters A61B2017/22072

Abstract

A device and method for use in spinal surgery are provided.

Claims

1. A method of performing spinal surgery, the method comprising:

delivering a first bone anchor to a first vertebra,

coupling a lumen to the first bone anchor, wherein the lumen includes a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal slot;

delivering a second bone anchor to a second vertebra,

coupling an end portion of a spinal fixation element to the first bone anchor,

moving a portion of the spinal fixation element through the longitudinal slot such that the spinal fixation element pivots about the end portion from a first position generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lumen to a second position which spans from the first bone anchor to the second bone anchor.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming a pathway between the first bone anchor and the second bone anchor.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising aligning the longitudinal slot to allow the spinal fixation element to penetrate the slot.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising coupling a second lumen to the second bone anchor, wherein the second lumen includes a second longitudinal slot.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising aligning the first and second slots such that the spinal fixation element can intersect both the first and second slots.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the pivoting further comprises advancing a portion of a spinal fixation element through the first slot.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the pivoting further comprises advancing a portion of a spinal fixation element through the second slot.

8. A system for spinal surgery, the system comprising:

a first bone anchor having a first bone anchor head,

a second bone anchor having a second bone anchor head,

a first lumen sized to align with the first bone anchor head, wherein the first lumen has a first longitudinal slot;

a second lumen sized to align with the second bone anchor head, wherein the second lumen has a second longitudinal slot; and

a rod member having a first end which is rotatably coupled to the first bone anchor head, wherein the rod member is sized such that a portion of the rod member can pass through the first longitudinal slot so that a second end can couple to the second bone anchor head.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first bone anchor head and the rod member are permanently rotatably coupled to each other.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first bone anchor head and the rod member are releasably rotatably coupled to each other.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the first bone anchor head is a polyaxial head.

12. The system of claim 8 further comprising a tissue cutting instrument adapted to form a path between the first bone anchor head and the second bone anchor head.

13. The system of claim 8 further comprising a rod guiding tool which has a distal end adapted to engage the rod member to cause pivoting of the rod member.

14. A system for spinal surgery, comprising:

a first bone anchor with a first proximal end,

a second bone anchor with a second proximal end,

a first bone anchor head adapted to couple with the first proximal end in a polyaxial manner, wherein the first bone anchor head has a first central bore and at least one longitudinal slot which extends from the first central bore to the exterior of the first bone anchor head,

a second bone anchor head adapted to couple with the second proximal end in a polyaxial manner, wherein the second bone anchor head has a second central bore and at least one longitudinal slot which extends from the second central bore to the exterior of the second bone anchor head,

a first lumen sized to align with the first bone anchor head, wherein the first lumen has a longitudinal slot,

a second lumen sized to align with the second bone anchor head, and

a rod member which spans from the first bone anchor head to the second bone anchor head, wherein the rod member is coupled to the first bone anchor head such that, in an unlocked configuration, the rod member can pivot from a positioned generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the first central bore to a position that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the rod member pivots through the first longitudinal slot, wherein the rod member is sized such that a portion of the rod member can pass through the longitudinal slot of the first lumen so that a second end of the rod member can couple to the second bone anchor head.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a second lumen sized to align with the second bone anchor head.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising an adjusting member for adjusting the distance between the first lumen and the second lumen.

17. The system of claim 14 further comprising a first locking cap adapted to rotatably couple to the first central bore.

18. The system of claim 14 further comprising a first locking cap adapted to rotatably couple to the first central bore.