PERCUTANEOUS LOCKING BONE FIXATION SYSTEM

• US 20100204700A1
• Filed: 02/08/2010
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medical Designs, LLC
• Original Assignee: Medical Designs, LLC
• Inventors: Falahee, Mark H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,696,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/80
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1631 Special drive shafts, e.g. flexible shafts A61B17/1642, A61B17/164 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1633 Sleeves, i.e. non-rotating parts surrounding the bit shaft, e.g. the sleeve forming a single unit with the bit shaft A61B17/1644 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/34 Trocars; Puncturing needles pointed biopsy instruments A61B10/0233; devices for piercing the ear-lobes A44C7/001; seals or hemostasis valves A61M39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/683 comprising bone transfixation elements, e.g. bolt with a distal cooperating element such as a nut
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor

Abstract

A minimally invasive bone stabilization and locking system and method are applicable to joint fusion and fracture repair, including human facet joint stabilization. A bone-boring bit on an elongated shaft is used to drill a hole through the bone or joint such that the bit penetrates through the distal surface. An implant is provided having hollow body terminating in a spreadable distal end. The implant is placed over the elongated shaft and into the drilled hole such that the spreadable end protrudes through the distal surface. The elongated shaft is then pulled, such that the bit interacts with the distal end of the implant, thereby causing the spreadable end of the implant sleeve to spread so as to prevent backout of the implant body through the hole. A proximal cap may be tightened against the proximal surface, thereby fixing the bone or joint in compression.

Claims

1. A method of fixing at least one bone or joint from a proximal surface to a distal surface, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a bone-boring bit on an elongated shaft;

using the bit to drill a hole through the bone or joint such that the bit penetrates through the distal surface;

providing an implant having hollow body terminating in a spreadable distal end;

placing the implant over the elongated shaft and into the drilled hole such that the spreadable end protrudes through the distal surface; and

pulling on the elongated shaft such that the bit interacts with the distal end of the implant, thereby causing the spreadable end of the implant sleeve to spread so as to prevent backout of the implant body through the hole.

2. The method of claim 1, including the steps of:

providing a proximal cap over the elongated shaft; and

tightening the shaft against the proximal surface, thereby fixing the bone or joint in compression.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the elongated shaft includes a threaded portion that extends out from the proximal surface; and

providing and tightening a nut onto the threaded portion which bears against the proximal surface, thereby fixing the bone or joint in compression.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the bone or joint is a human facet joint.

5. A system for fixing at least one bone or joint from a proximal surface to a distal surface, comprising:

an implant having hollow body terminating in a spreadable distal end;

a bone-boring bit on an elongated shaft, the bit being shaped to interact with the spreadable distal end, such that when the shaft extends through the implant and the shaft is pulled in a proximal direction, the spreadable end of the implant sleeve spreads to prevent backout of the implant body.

6. The system of claim 5, further including a proximal cap coupled to the elongated shaft.