METHODS AND DEVICES FOR SPINAL FIXATION ELEMENT PLACEMENT
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Minimally invasive methods and devices are provided for positioning a spinal fixation element in relation to adjacent spinal anchors. In an exemplary embodiment, the device is a percutaneous access device that can be coupled to a spinal anchor, and the method includes the step of positioning a spinal fixation element through at least one sidewall opening of at least two percutaneous access devices such that the spinal fixation element extends in a lengthwise orientation that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of each percutaneous access device. The spinal fixation element can then be advanced in the lengthwise orientation to seat the spinal fixation element in or adjacent to the receiver heads of at least two adjacent spinal anchors. A fastening element or other closure mechanism can then be applied to each spinal anchor to engage the spinal fixation element within the receiver heads of the adjacent anchors.
-
Citations
41 Claims
-
1-25. -25. (canceled)
-
26. A tool set for implanting a spinal rod in a patient;
- said tool set comprising;
a) a pair of end guide tools;
b) each of said end guide tool being adapted to attach at a lower end thereof to a respective spinal implant bone screw; and
c) each of said end guide tools including a longitudinal guide channel extending upwardly from said lower end thereof;
each of said channels being sized and shaped to be adapted to receive opposite ends of the rod for operably guiding the rod ends toward respective bone screws. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
- said tool set comprising;
-
30. A bone screw and rod seating assembly comprising:
-
a) a bone screw having a shank for implanting in a bone and a head with a channel adapted to receive a rod;
b) said bone screw head including a first attachment structure thereon;
c) an elongate guide tool having a radially outward facing channel extending parallel to an axis thereof and upwardly from near a bottom of said guide tool;
said channel sized and shaped to receive a first end of a rod and operably guide said rod first end to said bone screw head;
said guide tool being sized to partially extend above a patient'"'"'s skin so as to allow percutaneous manipulation of said guide tool by a surgeon; and
d) said guide tool bottom including a second attachment structure thereon;
said first and second attachment structures being mateable to releaseably secure said guide tool to said bone screw head.
-
-
31. A bone screw and rod seating assembly comprising:
-
a) a bone screw having a shank for implanting in a bone and a head with channel adapted to receive a rod;
b) said bone screw head including a first attachment structure thereon;
c) an elongate guide tool having a radially pass through slot extending upwardly from near a bottom thereof;
said slot being sized and shaped to receive a rod therethrough and operably guide said rod to said bone screw head;
said guide tool being sized to partially extend above a patient'"'"'s skin so as to allow percutaneous manipulation of said guide tool by a surgeon; and
d) said guide tool bottom including a second attachment structure thereon;
said first and second attachment structures being mateable to releaseably secure said guide tool to said bone screw head.
-
-
32. A tool set for implanting a spinal rod in a patient;
- said tool set comprising;
a) a pair of end guide tools;
b) each of said end guide tools being adapted to attach at a lower end thereof to a respective spinal implant bone screw; and
c) each of said end guide tools including a longitudinal guide channel extending upwardly from said lower end thereof;
each of said channels being sized and shaped to be adapted to receive opposite ends of the rod for operably guiding the rod ends toward respective bone screws. - View Dependent Claims (33)
- said tool set comprising;
-
34. A bone screw and rod seating assembly comprising:
-
a) a bone screw having a shank for implanting in a bone and a head with a channel adapted to receive a rod;
b) said bone screw head including a first attachment structure thereon;
c) an elongate guide tool having a radially outward facing channel extending parallel to an axis thereof and upwardly from near a bottom of said guide tool;
said channel sized and shaped to receive a first end of a rod and operably guide said rod first end to said bone screw head;
said guide tool being sized to partially extend above a patient'"'"'s skin so as to allow percutaneous manipulation of said guide tool by a surgeon; and
d) said guide tool bottom including a second attachment structure thereon;
said first and second attachment structures being mateable to releaseably secure said guide tool to said bone screw head.
-
-
35. A bone screw and rod seating assembly comprising:
-
a) a bone screw having a shank for implanting in a bone and a head with channel adapted to receive a rod;
b) said bone screw head including a first attachment structure thereon;
c) an elongate guide tool having a radially pass through slot extending upwardly from near a bottom thereof;
said slot being sized and shaped to receive a rod therethrough and operably guide said rod to said bone screw head;
said guide tool being sized to partially extend above a patient'"'"'s skin so as to allow percutaneous manipulation of said guide tool by a surgeon; and
d) said guide tool bottom including a second attachment structure thereon;
said first and second attachment structures being mateable to releaseably secure said guide tool to said bone screw head.
-
-
36. A tool for implanting spinal implants in a patient;
- said tool comprising;
a) said tool being adapted to attach at a lower end thereof to a first spinal implant; and
b) said tool including a radially outwardly opening and longitudinal guide channel extending the entire length thereof;
said channel being sized and shaped to be adapted to receive an end of a rod like second implant for operably guiding the second implant toward said first implant. - View Dependent Claims (37)
- said tool comprising;
- 38. The tool according to claim 38 in combination with said first implant.
Specification