METHODS AND DEVICES FOR SPINAL FIXATION ELEMENT PLACEMENT
First Claim
1. A method for introducing a spinal fixation element into a patient'"'"'s spinal column, comprising:
- providing at least two percutaneous access devices, each device havinga proximal end positioned outside a patient'"'"'s body,a distal end coupled to a spinal anchor,a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends of the percutaneous access device and defining a longitudinal axis, andat least one sidewall opening extending from the distal end through at least a portion of the percutaneous access device;
positioning a spinal fixation element through the at least one sidewall opening of at least two percutaneous access devices such that the spinal fixation element extends in an orientation substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of each percutaneous access device; and
advancing the spinal fixation element in the substantially transverse orientation to seat the spinal fixation element in a receiver head of at least two adjacent spinal anchors.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for introducing a spinal fixation element into a patient'"'"'s spinal column, comprising:
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providing at least two percutaneous access devices, each device having a proximal end positioned outside a patient'"'"'s body, a distal end coupled to a spinal anchor, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends of the percutaneous access device and defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one sidewall opening extending from the distal end through at least a portion of the percutaneous access device; positioning a spinal fixation element through the at least one sidewall opening of at least two percutaneous access devices such that the spinal fixation element extends in an orientation substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of each percutaneous access device; and advancing the spinal fixation element in the substantially transverse orientation to seat the spinal fixation element in a receiver head of at least two adjacent spinal anchors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for introducing a spinal fixation element into a receiver head of adjacent spinal anchors, comprising:
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positioning a spinal fixation element through openings formed in at least two adjacent percutaneous access devices such that the spinal fixation element extends between the at least two adjacent percutaneous access devices in a lengthwise orientation; advancing the spinal fixation element in a distal direction to seat the spinal fixation element in the receiver heads of the adjacent spinal anchors. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification