METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINAL FIXATION ELEMENT PLACEMENT

• US 20090138056A1
• Filed: 02/04/2009
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Spine Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Sicvol, Christopher, Anderson, David Greg, Selover, Sean P., Ross, George Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,105,361 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/86.A
• 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 17/7011 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 17/7035 Screws or hooks, wherein a rod-clamping part and a bone-anchoring part can pivot relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7037 wherein pivoting is blocked when the rod is clamped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7074 Tools specially adapted for spinal fixation operations other than for bone removal or filler handling A61B17/7062, A61B17/808, A61B17/8858 take precedence; for spinal image producing devices A61B90/36, A61B34/20; markers A61B90/39
• 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: Y10S 606/914 Toolkit for installing or removing spinal positioner or stabilizer

Abstract

Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient'"'"'s spinal column are provided. In general, the method involves advancing a spinal fixation element in a first, lengthwise orientation along a pathway extending from a minimally invasive percutaneous incision to a spinal anchor site. As the spinal fixation element approaches the spinal anchor site, the fixation element can be manipulated to extend in a second orientation, which is preferably substantially transverse to the first orientation, to position the fixation element in relation to one or more spinal anchors.

Claims

1. A percutaneous access device for introducing a spinal fixation element into a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

an elongate, generally cylindrical tube adapted for percutaneous delivery to mate to a spinal implant and including proximal and distal ends;

a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends of the elongate, generally cylindrical tube, the lumen being adapted to transport a spinal fixation element therethrough in a first orientation that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lumen, and to deliver the spinal fixation element into a spinal anchor site in a second orientation that differs from the first orientation; and

at least one sidewall opening extending from the distal end of the elongate, generally cylindrical tube through at least a portion thereof for facilitating transition of a spinal fixation element from the first orientation to the second orientation.

2. The percutaneous access device of claim 1, wherein the lumen is adapted to deliver the spinal fixation element in a second orientation that is substantially parallel to a patient'"'"'s spinal column.

3. The percutaneous access device of claim 1, wherein the elongate, generally cylindrical tube includes opposed sidewall openings formed therein adjacent to the distal end thereof.

4. The percutaneous access device of claim 1, wherein the lumen of the elongate, generally cylindrical tube includes a guide member that is adapted to direct a spinal fixation element disposed therein from the first orientation to the second orientation.

5. The percutaneous access device of claim 4, wherein the guide member comprises a sloped shelf formed within the lumen of the elongate, generally cylindrical tube.

6. The percutaneous access device of claim 5, wherein the sloped shelf is formed just proximal to the distal end of the elongate, generally cylindrical tube.

7. The percutaneous access device of claim 5, wherein the sloped shelf is positioned at a location that is substantially opposed to a sidewall opening formed within the elongate, generally cylindrical tube and extending proximally from a distal end thereof.

8. The percutaneous access device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the elongate, generally cylindrical tube is adapted to releasably mate to a spinal anchor.