ROD INSERTION INSTRUMENT AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20090105774A1
• Filed: 10/23/2008
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: K2M, Inc (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: K2M, Inc (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Ross, Catherine, Jones, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 8,366,714 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/86.A
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7083 Tools for guidance or insertion of tethers, rod-to-anchor connectors, rod-to-rod connectors, or longitudinal elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4435 Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes

Abstract

An insertion tool for inserting a spinal rod into a patient is provided. The insertion tool includes an upper body portion defining a first longitudinal axis, a handle assembly extending from the upper body portion, an elbow member connected to a distal end of the body portion, a lower body portion defining a second longitudinal axis, and a drive mechanism extending between the handle assembly and the lower body portion for controlling the selective engagement of the spinal rod. The lower body portion extends from the elbow and is configured to selectively engage a spinal rod.

Claims

1. An insertion tool comprising:

an upper body portion defining a first longitudinal axis;

a handle assembly extending from the upper body portion;

an elbow member connected to a distal end of the body portion;

a lower body portion defining a second longitudinal axis, the lower body portion extending from the elbow and being configured to selectively engage a spinal rod; and

a drive mechanism extending between the handle assembly and the lower body portion for controlling the selective engagement to the spinal rod.

2. The insertion tool of claim 1, wherein the lower body portion includes a collet.

3. The insertion tool of claim 2, wherein the collet includes a pair of opposed arms configured to selectively engage a spinal rod.

4. The insertion tool of claim 3, wherein the opposed arms are approximated towards one another when the handle assembly is turned in a first direction.

5. The insertion tool of claim 4, wherein the opposed arms are approximated away from each other when the handle is turned in a second direction.

6. The insertion tool of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal axis and second longitudinal axis are formed at an obtuse angle relative to each other.

7. The insertion tool of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a universal connector.

8. The insertion tool of claim 7, wherein the universal connector includes a first end configured to rotate along the first longitudinal axis.

9. The insertion tool of claim 8, wherein the universal connector includes a second end configured to rotate along the second longitudinal axis.

10. The insertion tool of claim 1, wherein the upper portion includes a fixed handle configured to facilitate operable engagement by a user.

11. The insertion tool of claim 1, wherein the handle assembly is configured to facilitate operable engagement by a user.

12. The insertion tool of claim 2, wherein the collet forms a substantially open slot for receiving a spinal rod.

13. The insertion tool of claim 2, wherein the collet forms a substantially closed slot for receiving a spinal rod.

14. The insertion tool of claim 2, wherein the collet forms a substantially hexagonal slot for receiving a spinal rod.

15. A method of inserting a spinal rod, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an insertion tool including;

an upper body portion defining a first longitudinal axis;

a handle assembly extending from the upper body portion;

an elbow member connected to a distal end of the body portion;

a lower body portion defining a second longitudinal axis, the lower body portion extending from the elbow and being configured to selectively engaging a spinal rod; and

a drive mechanism extending between the handle assembly and the lower body portion for controlling the selective engagement to the spinal rod;

selectively attaching a spinal rod within the lower body portion of the insertion tool by rotating the handle assembly in a first direction;

manipulating the insertion tool to direct the spinal rod through one or more pedicle screws received within one or more vertebrae; and

releasing the spinal rod from the lower body portion of the insertion tool by rotating the handle assembly in a second or opposite direction.

16. A system for inserting a spinal rod, the system comprising:

an insertion tool including;

an upper body portion defining a first longitudinal axis;

a handle assembly extending from the upper body portion;

an elbow member connected to a distal end of the body portion;

a lower body portion defining a second longitudinal axis, the lower body portion extending from the elbow and; and

a drive mechanism extending between the handle assembly and the lower body portion for controlling selective engagement of the lower body portion with a spinal rod; and

a spinal rod configured for selective engagement with the lower body portion of the insertion tool.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the spinal rod includes a hexagonal head configured for selective engagement with the lower body portion of the insertion tool.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the lower body portion includes jaw members configured for selective engagement with the lower body portion of the insertion tool.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the jaw members define a hexagonal opening configured to selectively engage a spinal rod.