SYSTEMS, METHODS AND TOOLS FOR SPINAL SURGERY

• US 20070016199A1
• 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 8,579,942 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 bone anchor;

an extension having;

a proximal end,

a distal end,

a working longitudinal channel running from the proximal end to the distal end,

a slot positioned near the distal end within a wall of the extension;

a connector sized to fit within the working longitudinal channel; and

a tool for causing at least a portion of the connector positioned at least partially within the working longitudinal channel to exit the working longitudinal channel via the slot.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the working longitudinal channel is sized to coaxially align with the first bone anchor.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the tool includes:

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 transverse to the first bone anchor.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the system includes a second bone anchor adapted to couple to the connector.

5. A method for spinal surgery comprising:

moving a connector into a working longitudinal channel of a tubular extension; and

moving at least a portion of the connector out of the working longitudinal channel through a slot in the extension.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein moving the connector into the working longitudinal channel includes inserting the connector into the working longitudinal channel through an opening in a proximal end of the extension.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein moving the connector out of the working longitudinal channel includes applying pressure to the connector using a tool.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising inserting at least a portion of the tool into the working longitudinal channel through the proximal end of the extension prior to applying pressure to the connector.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein moving at least a portion of the connector out of the working longitudinal channel includes rotating the connector from an orientation generally parallel to the extension to an orientation generally perpendicular to the extension.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising inserting a pin coupled perpendicularly to a distal end of the connector into an opening in a bone anchor, wherein the pin forms the center of rotation for rotating the connector.

11. A tool for use in spinal surgery comprising:

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

an actuating surface located proximal to the distal end of the tool for rotating the connector from an orientation generally parallel to an extension to an orientation generally perpendicular to the extension.

12. The tool of claim 11 wherein the extension includes a working longitudinal channel accessible to an exterior of the extension through a slot, and wherein the means for rotating the connector moves at least a portion of the connector out of the working longitudinal channel through the slot.

13. The tool of claim 11 wherein the means for rotating the connector includes:

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

an actuating surface located proximal to the distal end of the tool for rotating the connector.

14. A surgical tool comprising:

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

an actuating surface located proximal to the distal end of the tool for turning the brace from a first position that is generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of a bone anchor to a second position that is not generally aligned with the longitudinal axis.

15. The surgical tool of claim 14 further comprising a portion adapted to mate with rod, the rod having the distal end and actuating surface.

16. The surgical tool of claim 15 further comprising a tubular housing sized to contain at least a portion of the rod.

17. The tool of claim 16 wherein the housing includes a removable panel.

18. A tool for separating tissue comprising:

a force application member; and

a separator member movably coupled to the force application member and configured to separate tissue when force is applied via the force application member.

19. The tool of claim 18 wherein the separator member is a blade.

20. The tool of claim 18 wherein the separator member is configured to rotate from a first position substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the force application member to a second position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

21. The tool of claim 18 further comprising a housing containing at least a portion of the force application member.

22. The tool of claim 21 wherein the housing includes a removable panel for exposing the separator member to the tissue.

23. The tool of claim 18 wherein the separator member is spring loaded.

24. A method for separating tissue comprising:

inserting a distal end of a tissue separating tool into tissue at a first location; and

actuating a tissue separator movably coupled to the distal end.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein actuating the tissue separator includes moving at least a portion of the tissue separator from a first position generally parallel to a direction of insertion of the tissue separating tool to a second position not generally parallel to the direction of insertion.

26. The method of claim 24 further comprising orienting the tissue separator with respect to the first location.

27. The method of claim 24 further comprising:

inserting the distal end of the tissue separating tool into tissue at a second location;

orienting the separator with respect to the first location; and

actuating the tissue separator to form a path through the tissue towards the first location.

28. A kit for spinal surgery comprising:

first and second bone anchors;

a first extension having a proximal end, a distal end, and a working longitudinal channel having a slot;

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

a tool for causing at least a portion of the connector to exit the working longitudinal channel through the slot.

29. The kit of claim 28 wherein the tool includes:

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.