METHODS OF SPINAL FIXATION AND INSTRUMENTATION

• US 20110152940A1
• Filed: 03/03/2011
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schnider, Martin, Frigg, Robert, Schwer, Stefan
• Granted Patent: US 8,808,296 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/264
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7002 Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods
• 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 17/7037 wherein pivoting is blocked when the rod is clamped
• 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: 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

Abstract

A method for performing spinal fixation and instrumentation. A first incision may be made through the skin and a passageway may be created to the spine. A screw may be inserted through the passageway and into a vertebrae. The screw may have a head portion including a channel. An insertion guide may be operable connected to the screw. The insertion guide may have first and second longitudinal slots. Additional screws may each be inserted through separate incisions or through the first incision. Insertion guides may be operably connected to a head portion of each screw. A sleeve may be positioned into one insertion guide in a first position to guide a rod through at least one other insertion guide. The sleeve may be rotated to a second position to allow the rod to move down the slots of the insertion guide(s) and into the head portion of the screw.

Claims

1-45. -45. (canceled)

46. A system for performing spinal fixation comprising:

at least one elongated fixation member,

at least one screw including a threaded shaft portion and a head portion having two arms forming a U-shaped channel capable of receiving the elongated fixation member,

a plurality of attachment members, each member having at least an elongated body, an outer wall, an inner wall, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein each distal end is selectively attachable to the head portion of the screw,

wherein at least two attachment members are each attachable to each one of the two arms of the head portion to form a first longitudinal slot diametrically opposed from a second longitudinal slot, and a longitudinal space between the inner walls of the at least two attachment members, the longitudinal space extending from the distal ends to the proximal ends of the at least two attachment members.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the longitudinal slots are aligned with the U-shaped channel.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the longitudinal slots extend longitudinally from the distal end of the attachment members toward the proximal end.

49. The system of claim 46, wherein the longitudinal slots communicate with the longitudinal space.

50. The system of claim 46, wherein the longitudinal slots extend from the outer wall through the inner wall of the attachment members.

51. The system of claim 46, wherein the longitudinal slots are sized to receive the elongated fixation element therethrough.

52. The system of claim 46, wherein the head portion of the screw is polyaxially coupled to the shaft portion.

53. The system of claim 46, further comprising a holding instrument for engaging the elongated fixation member.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the holding instrument further comprises an end portion with a plurality of recessed edges for improving hand grip.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the holding instrument is pivotally engageable with the elongated fixation member.

56. The system of claim 46, further comprising a substantially circular member in slidable contact with the outer wall of at least one of the attachment members.

57. The system of claim 46, further comprising a threaded end cap capable of selectively engaging the screw head portion for securing the elongated fixation member.

58. The system of claim 46, wherein the attachment members have relatively thin side walls between the outer wall and the inner wall.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the longitudinal slot is formed between the side walls of the attachment members when each of the first and second members are selectively engaged with at least one of the aims of the head portion of the screw.

60. A system for performing spinal fixation comprising:

at least one elongated fixation member,

a plurality of screws including a threaded shaft portion and a head portion having two arms forming a U-shaped channel capable of receiving the elongated fixation member, the arms having an interior and exterior surface, wherein each arm of the head portion has a recessed area and the interior surface is at least partially threaded,

a plurality of attachment members, each member having at least an elongated body, an outer wall, an inner wall, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein each distal end is selectively engageable with at least one arm of the head portion of the screw,

wherein each attachment member is configured with flanges at its distal end for selective snap-fit attachment with one of the arms of the head portion of the screw,

wherein at least two attachment members are each attachable to each one of the two arms of the head portion to form a first longitudinal slot diametrically opposed from a second longitudinal slot, and a longitudinal space between the inner walls of the two attachment members, the longitudinal space extending from the distal ends to the proximal ends of the two attachment members.

61. A system for performing spinal fixation comprising:

at least one elongated fixation member,

a plurality of screws including a threaded shaft portion and a head portion, polyaxially coupled to the shaft portion, having two arms forming a U-shaped channel capable of receiving the elongated fixation member, the arms having an interior and exterior surface, wherein each arm of the head portion has a recessed area and the interior surface is at least partially threaded,

a plurality of attachment members, each member having at least an elongated body, an outer wall, an inner wall, a plurality of relatively thin side walls between the outer wall and inner wall, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein each distal end is selectively engageable with at least one arm of the head portion of the screw,

wherein each attachment member is configured with flanges at its distal end for selective snap-fit attachment with one of the arms of the head portion of the screw,

wherein at least two attachment members are each attachable to each one of the two arms of the head portion to form a first longitudinal slot diametrically opposed from a second longitudinal slot, wherein the longitudinal slots are aligned with the U-shaped channel, and extend longitudinally from the distal end of the attachment members toward the proximal end, and extend from the outer wall through the inner wall of the attachment members, and are sized to receive the elongated fixation element therethrough,

a longitudinal space between the inner walls of the two attachment members, the longitudinal space extending from the distal ends to the proximal ends of the two attachment members, wherein the longitudinal slots communicate with the longitudinal space,

a circular member in slidable contact with the outer wall of at least one of the attachment members, and

a threaded end cap capable of selectively engaging the screw head portion for securing the elongated fixation member.