SPINAL STABILIZATION SYSTEMS WITH QUICK-CONNECT SLEEVE ASSEMBLIES FOR USE IN SURGICAL PROCEDURES

• US 20080077139A1
• Filed: 07/18/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc. (Zimvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc. (Zimvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Miller, Peter, Riceman, Bruce, Ely, Kameron, Landry, Michael, Khoo, Larry, Bergeron, Brian, Forton, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 9,539,012 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1655 for tapping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/701 Longitudinal elements with a non-circular, e.g. rectangular, cross-section A61B17/7005, A61B17/7007 take precedence
• 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 17/7037 wherein pivoting is blocked when the rod is clamped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/708 with tubular extensions coaxially mounted on the bone anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7082 for driving, i.e. rotating, screws or screw parts specially adapted for spinal fixation, e.g. for driving polyaxial or tulip-headed screws driving other bone screws A61B17/8875
• 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 17/7091 for applying, tightening or removing longitudinal element-to-bone anchor locking elements, e.g. caps, set screws, nuts or wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8605 Heads, i.e. proximal ends projecting from bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/861 specially shaped for gripping driver
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8866 for gripping or pushing bones, e.g. approximators joint distractors A61B17/025
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4625 with relative movement between parts of the instrument during use
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4638 : Tools for performing screwing, e.g. nut or screwdrivers, or particular adaptations therefor

Abstract

In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient using quick-connect sleeve assemblies. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly can be coupled to a bone fastener assembly in a fast and intuitive way. In one embodiment, a quick-connect sleeve assembly has a detachable member and a movable member. Both members engage a collar of the bone fastener assembly. In one embodiment, the engagement can be locked via one or more locking features to facilitate screwing a bone fastener of the bone fastener assembly onto a vertebral body in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile and is particularly shaped for minimally invasive entry.

Claims

1. A method of implanting a spinal stabilization system, said method comprising:

coupling a first detachable member to a first collar of a first bone fastener assembly;

coupling a first movable member to said first detachable member for engaging said first collar of said first bone fastener assembly to inhibit translational motion of said first collar relative to said first detachable member;

fastening said first bone fastener assembly onto a first vertebral body;

coupling a second detachable member to a second collar of a second bone fastener assembly;

coupling a second movable member to said second detachable member for engaging said second collar of said second bone fastener assembly to inhibit translational motion of said second collar relative to said second detachable member;

fastening said second bone fastener assembly onto a second vertebral body; and

securing a spinal stabilization rod to said first collar and said second collar to stabilize said first vertebral body and said second vertebral body.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

loading said first movable member into said first detachable member through channels formed in a cylindrical body of said first detachable member.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

locking said first movable member onto said first detachable member with a push, a twist, or a combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

unlocking said first movable member with a pull, a push, a twist, or a combination thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said coupling steps are performed prior to forming a first minimally-invasive incision in implanting said spinal stabilization system.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

fastening a third bone fastener assembly onto a third vertebral body; and

securing said spinal stabilization rod to said first collar, said second collar, and a third collar of said third bone fastener assembly.

7. A quick-connect sleeve assembly, comprising:

a detachable member having a cylindrical body, at least one channel contained in said cylindrical body, and at least one passage extending from a first end of said detachable member to a second end of said detachable member; and

a movable member having a head portion, a body portion, and at least one locking feature for latching onto said detachable member with a push motion, a twist motion, or a combination thereof;

wherein said at least one channel of said detachable member is configured to accommodate said body portion of said movable member;

wherein said second end of said detachable member is configured for coupling to a collar of a bone fastener assembly; and

wherein said body portion of said movable member is configured to engage said collar of said bone fastener assembly through said detachable member to inhibit translational motion of said collar relative to said detachable member.

8. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein said at least one channel is contained in a wall of said cylindrical body.

9. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 8, wherein said detachable member has one or more windows positioned on said cylindrical body.

10. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 9, wherein said one or more windows are configured for revealing selective areas of said body portion of said movable member inside said wall of said cylindrical body of said detachable member.

11. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 10, wherein said selective areas include said at least one locking feature.

12. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 9, wherein at least one of said one or more windows is configured to accommodate said at least one locking feature.

13. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 9, wherein said one or more windows minimize weight of said detachable member.

14. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein said detachable member has at least one mating feature corresponding to said at least one locking feature of said movable member.

15. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein said body portion of said movable member has two prongs.

16. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 15, wherein said at least one channel of said detachable member is configured to accommodate and allow said two prongs of said movable member to engage said collar of said bone fastener assembly.

17. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 15, wherein said at least one locking feature is an integral part of at least one of said two prongs of said movable member.

18. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein said at least one locking feature is an integral part of said body portion of said movable member.

19. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein said at least one locking feature is an integral part of said head portion of said movable member.

20. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein said head portion of said movable member has a twistable element.

21. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 20, wherein said at least one locking feature is an integral part of said twistable element.

22. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 21, wherein said head portion has a stop for restraining rotational movement of said twistable element.

23. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 21, wherein said first end of said detachable member is configured to accommodate said twistable element and engage said at least one locking feature.

24. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 23, wherein said at least one locking feature forms a cavity in said twistable element and wherein said first end of said detachable member has a rounded projection configured to accommodate said cavity.

25. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein said cylindrical body of said detachable member has a twistable element.

26. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 25, wherein said first end of said detachable member is configured to accommodate said at least one locking feature of said movable member and wherein said twist motion applied to said twistable element of said detachable member in a first direction blocks said at least one locking feature and hinders movement of said movable member.

27. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 26, wherein said twist motion applied to said twistable element of said detachable member in a second direction unblocks said at least one locking feature and releases said movable member.

28. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein said first end of said detachable member is configured to accommodate said at least one locking feature of said movable member.

29. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein said push motion involves one or more clicks facilitated by spring tension.

30. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein said head portion of said movable member is configured to accommodate engaging a tubular structure at an angle.

31. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 30, wherein said first end of said detachable member is configured to accommodate engaging said tubular structure at said angle.

32. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 30, wherein said tubular structure is a surgical instrument for spinal stabilization.

33. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein said second end of said detachable member is configured for detachably coupling to said collar of said bone fastener assembly in one click.

34. The quick-connect sleeve assembly of claim 7, wherein said at least one locking feature of said movable member is configured to allow said movable member securely latching onto said detachable member in one click.

35. A spinal implantation system, comprising:

at least one spinal stabilization rod;

two or more bone fastener assemblies for fixing said at least one spinal stabilization rod onto two or more vertebral bodies; and

two or more quick-connect sleeve assemblies for anchoring said two or more bone fastener assemblies onto said two or more vertebral bodies in a minimally invasive procedure, each quick-connect sleeve assembly comprising;

a detachable member having a cylindrical body, at least one channel contained in said cylindrical body, and at least one passage extending from a first end of said detachable member to a second end of said detachable member; and

a movable member having a head portion, a body portion, and at least one locking feature for latching onto said detachable member with a push motion, a twist motion, or a combination thereof;

wherein said at least one channel of said detachable member is configured to accommodate said body portion of said movable member;

wherein said second end of said detachable member is configured for coupling to a collar of a bone fastener assembly; and

wherein said body portion of said movable member is configured to engage said collar of said bone fastener assembly through said detachable member to inhibit translational motion of said collar relative to said detachable member.

36. The spinal implantation system of claim 35, wherein said second end of said detachable member is configured for coupling to said collar of said bone fastener assembly in one click.

37. The spinal implantation system of claim 35, wherein said at least one locking feature of said movable member is configured to allow said movable member securely latching onto said detachable member in one click.

38. The spinal implantation system of claim 35, wherein each quick-connect sleeve assembly has a low profile for minimally invasive entry through an incision.