SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PLACEMENT OF BONE ANCHORS AND CONNECTORS

• US 20070016198A1
• 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 8,382,802 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/279
• 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

Abstract

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

Claims

1. A system for spinal surgery comprising:

a first extension having a proximal end, a distal end, and a working longitudinal channel having a first slot, wherein the channel is sized to coaxially align with a first bone anchor;

a second extension having a proximal end, a distal end, and a working longitudinal channel having a second slot, wherein the channel is sized to coaxially align with a second bone anchor; and

a connector sized to at least partially enter the first and second slots.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the first extension is configured to couple with the first bone anchor.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a tool having:

a distal end adapted to engage a proximal end of the connector; and

an actuating surface located proximal to the distal end of the tool for turning the connector from a first position substantially aligned with the first bone anchor to a second position substantially bridging the first and second bone anchors.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the distal end of the tool is sized to pass into the working longitudinal channel of the first extension via the proximal end.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein a first end of the connector is pivotally coupled to the first bone anchor.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the first end of the connector includes a pin oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the connector, wherein the pin engages an opening in the first bone anchor.

7. A method comprising:

providing first and second extensions, wherein each extension has a proximal end, a distal end, and a working longitudinal channel that includes a slot;

aligning the slots of the first and second extensions; and

positioning a connector at least partially within the slots of the first and second extensions.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein aligning the slots of the first and second extensions includes identifying a curvature of the connector, wherein the slots are aligned based on the curvature.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

inserting the connector through the proximal end of the first extension and into the working longitudinal channel; and

moving the connector through the working longitudinal channel towards the distal end of the second extension.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein positioning the connector at least partially within the slots of the first and second extensions includes moving at least a portion of the connector out of the first extension through the slot of the first extension and into the second extension through the slot of the second extension.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising positioning the distal end of the first and second extensions over a first bone anchor and a second bone anchor, respectively.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising coupling the first extension to the first bone anchor.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising bridging the first and second bone anchors with the connector.

14. A method comprising:

positioning a portion of a connector in an extension having a longitudinal slot that provides access from the exterior of the extension to a working longitudinal channel within the extension;

moving the portion of the connector along the slot; and

mating an end of the connector with a bone anchor.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the portion of the connector is in a substantially horizontal alignment during at least a portion of its movement along the slot.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the portion of the connector moves substantially in an arc during at least a portion of its movement along the slot.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the end of the connector is pivotally mated with the bone anchor.

18. A device for spinal surgery comprising:

a substantially hollow extension having a proximal end, a distal end, and a working longitudinal channel having a slot, wherein the channel is sized to coaxially align with a bone anchor, and wherein the slot is configured to receive at least a portion of a connector.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the extension is substantially cylindrical.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein the slot intersects the distal end and extends from the distal end towards the proximal end.

21. The device of claim 18 wherein the extension is configured to releaseably couple with the bone anchor.

22. A method comprising:

inserting a bone anchor having a distal end configured to interface with bone and a proximal end having a head, wherein the head includes a slot; and

coaxially aligning an extension having a working longitudinal channel that includes a slot with the bone anchor.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein coaxially aligning the extension with the bone anchor includes rotationally aligning the slot in the channel with the slot in the head.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein rotationally aligning the slot in the channel with the slot in the head includes rotating the slot in the channel substantially ninety degrees from the slot in the head.

25. A kit for spinal surgery comprising:

a first extension having a proximal end, a distal end, and a working longitudinal channel having a first slot, wherein the channel is sized to coaxially align with a first bone anchor; and

a second extension having a proximal end, a distal end, and a working longitudinal channel having a second slot, wherein the channel is sized to coaxially align with a second bone anchor.

26. The kit of claim 25 further comprising:

first and second bone anchors; and

a connector configured to bridge the first and second bone anchors, wherein the connector is sized to at least partially enter the first slot.

27. The kit of claim 25 further comprising:

first and second bone anchors; and

a connector configured to bridge the first and second bone anchors, wherein the connector is sized to at least partially enter the second slot.

28. The kit of claim 26 further comprising first and second fasteners configured to secure the connector to the first and second bone anchors, respectively.

29. The kit of claim 26 further comprising a tool having a distal end adapted to engage a proximal end of the connector and an actuating surface located proximal to the distal end of the tool for turning the connector from a first position substantially aligned with the first bone anchor to a second position substantially bridging the first and second bone anchors.