SPINAL DISTRACTOR, COMPRESSOR, AND ROD ENGAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20100145348A1
• Filed: 02/11/2010
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Trinity Orthopedics, LLC
• Original Assignee: Trinity Orthopedics, LLC
• Inventors: Marino, James F.
• Application Number:
  US12/704,473
• Publication Number:
  US 20100145348A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/90
• 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 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7079 Tools requiring anchors to be already mounted on an implanted longitudinal or transverse element, e.g. where said element guides the anchor motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/708 with tubular extensions coaxially mounted on the bone anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7089 wherein insertion is along an arcuate path
• 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

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for distracting or compressing distance between a first and second honey structure and for engaging a connecting element.

Claims

1. A device for engaging a bony structure connecting rod having a recess positioned at a proximal end, the device comprising:

an elongated arm; and

a collet on a distal end of the elongated arm, the collet configured to be collapsed to a first outer diameter for insertion within the recess of the connecting rod and expanded to a second outer diameter within the recess of the connecting rod such that the collet is prevented from separating from the connecting rod.

2. A device of claim 1, wherein the collet comprises a bushing and a flexible section including a plurality of flexible arms surrounding a central bore.

3. A device of claim 2, wherein the distal end of the elongated arm is coupled to the bushing of the collet.

4. The device of claim 2, further comprising a locking pin configured to extend through the central bore to expand the plurality of flexible arms away from one another and maintain the flexible section in the expanded second outer diameter.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the locking pin is sized to prevent the flexible section of the collet from collapsing from the second outer diameter and maintain the collet in a locked association with the connecting rod.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the locking pin when inserted through the central bore of the collet couples the connecting rod to the elongated arm.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the elongated arm is coupled to a handle at a proximal end region.

8. The device of claim 6, further comprising a locking pin advancer having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end coupled to the locking pin, wherein the locking pin advancer extends through an inner channel in the elongate arm.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a locking pin actuator that slidably controls the locking pin advancer through the inner channel.