SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE POSTERIOR FIXATION

• US 20130035726A1
• Filed: 10/12/2012
• Published: 02/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Shaolian, Samuel M., Nguyen, Thanh V., Pham, To V., Henson, Michael R., Tietelbaum, George P>
• Application Number:
  US13/650,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20130035726A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/278
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1615 Drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1642 for producing a curved bore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3472 for bones, e.g. intraosseus injections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7001 Screws or hooks combined with longitudinal elements which do not contact vertebrae A61B17/7058 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7004 with a cross-section which varies along its length A61B17/7019 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7005 Parts of the longitudinal elements, e.g. their ends, being specially adapted to fit in the screw or hook heads
• 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 17/7019 Longitudinal elements having flexible parts, or parts connected together, such that after implantation the elements can move relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/702 having a core or insert, and a sleeve, whereby a screw or hook can move along the core or in the sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/704 the longitudinal element passing through a ball-joint in the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7082 for driving, i.e. rotating, screws or screw parts specially adapted for spinal fixation, e.g. for driving polyaxial or tulip-headed screws driving other bone screws A61B17/8875
• 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 17/7086 Rod reducers, i.e. devices providing a mechanical advantage to allow a user to force a rod into or onto an anchor head other than by means of a rod-to-bone anchor locking element; rod removers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7089 wherein insertion is along an arcuate path
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/861 specially shaped for gripping driver
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/864 hollow, e.g. with socket or cannulated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8861 Apparatus for manipulating flexible wires or straps devices for inserting Kirschner wires A61B17/1697
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8897 : Guide wires or guide pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/90 : Guides therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for aligning and implanting orthopedic fixation or stabilization implants within the body. In one embodiment, the system includes at least two bone anchors, at least one of which is provided with an angularly adjustable connector. In one aspect, the system also includes at least one linkage rod, for linking two or more bone anchors through their respective adjustable connectors. The bone anchors and the linkage rod may be locked into place to form a spinal fusion or fixation prosthesis. An alignment tool is provided, for guiding a guidewire through one or more connectors.

Claims

1. A prosthesis assembly for minimally invasive posterior fixation, comprising:

a curved rod, having a proximal end and a distal end, and releasable coupling on the proximal end; and

a bone anchor provided with an adjustable connector, said adjustable connector including a lock to securely engage said rod at any of a variety of angular orientations between the rod and the bone anchor.

2. The prosthesis assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second bone anchor having a connector adapted to securely engage said rod.

3. The prosthesis assembly of claim 1, wherein the bone anchor comprises a head and a rotatable connector disposed within said head, said rotatable connector adapted to securely engage said rod.

4. A prosthesis for minimally invasive posterior fixation, comprising:

a bone anchor having a head;

a transverse portal extending through said head along an axis transverse to a central axis of said bone anchor;

a rod extending through said transverse portal;

a rotating connector with an aperture seated in a groove within said head;

said aperture adapted to securely engage said rod; and

a locking cap which secures said rotating connector against said groove and said rod within said aperture.

5. The prosthesis of claim 4, wherein said rotating connector further comprises indentations on its exterior adapted to cooperate with complementary projections within said head to limit the rotation of said rotating connector.

6. The prosthesis of claim 4, wherein said rotating connector further comprises at least one compression gap.

7. The prosthesis of claim 4, wherein said rod is adapted to be detachably secured to an insertion tool used to insert said rod into said aperture.

8. A guide wire introducer for inserting a guide wire through a transverse portal of a bone anchor, comprising:

an adapter aligned with a central axis of said bone anchor;

a handle attached at a pivot to said adapter; and

an access needle on said handle adapted for insertion through said transverse portal of said bone anchor.

9. The guide wire apparatus of claim 8 further comprising an obturator.

10. The guide wire apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a guide wire capture device.

11. The guide wire apparatus of claim 10 wherein said guide wire capture device further comprises a retractable conical funnel.

12-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A guide wire insertion device to insert a guide wire through a portal of a bone anchor, comprising:

A central arm adapted to engage said bone anchor;

A radial arm attached to said central arm at a pivot;

A hollow access needle secured to said radial arm;

Wherein said radial arm pivots on said pivot to move said access needle through said port of said bone anchor.

18. The guide wire insertion device of claim 17, further comprising a guide wire capture device.

19. The guide wire insertion device of claim 18 wherein said guide wire capture device further comprises a conical receiving end which comprises one or more partial conical segments.

20-39. -39. (canceled)