SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND METHOD

• US 20150201985A1
• Filed: 01/23/2014
• Published: 07/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Rampersaud, Y. Raja, Rezach, William Allan
• Granted Patent: US 9,480,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7032 Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7074 Tools specially adapted for spinal fixation operations other than for bone removal or filler handling A61B17/7062, A61B17/808, A61B17/8858 take precedence; for spinal image producing devices A61B90/36, A61B34/20; markers A61B90/39
• 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 17/8875 Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8897 Guide wires or guide pins

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a lock including an inner surface defining a cavity and a locking surface. A holding element is positioned within the cavity and includes an inner surface defining a passageway. A longitudinal element is positioned within the passageway and the cavity. The surgical instrument includes a first orientation in which a distal end of the holding element is spaced apart from the locking surface and the longitudinal element is translatable relative to the holding element and a second orientation in which the distal end of the holding element engages the locking surface and the longitudinal element is fixed relative to the holding element. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a lock including an inner surface defining a cavity and a locking surface;

a holding element positioned within the cavity and comprising an inner surface defining a passageway; and

a longitudinal element positioned within the passageway and the cavity,

wherein the surgical instrument includes a first orientation in which a distal end of the holding element is spaced apart from the locking surface and the longitudinal element is translatable relative to the holding element and a second orientation in which the distal end of the holding element engages the locking surface and the longitudinal element is fixed relative to the holding element.

2. A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the lock comprises a first lock and a second lock such that the locks relatively rotate between the orientations.

3. A surgical instrument as recited in claim 2, wherein the second lock is removable.

4. A surgical instrument as recited in claim 2, further comprising a body that supports the locks and comprises a pair of flanges and the lock comprises a pair of grooves configured for slidable engagement with the flanges.

5. A surgical instrument as recited in claim 4, wherein a proximal end of the body comprises a bit configuration.

6. A surgical instrument as recited in claim 4, wherein a distal end of the body comprises an aperture;

and further comprising an extension positioned in the aperture, the extension comprising an inner surface defining a channel.

7. A surgical instrument as recited in claim 6, wherein an outer surface of the extension includes a thread form configured to engage a thread form of a fastener to fix the fastener with the extension.

8. A surgical instrument as recited in claim 2, wherein an inner surface of the second lock comprises a first thread form and a proximal end of the holding element comprises a second thread form configured to engage the first thread form between the first and second orientations.

9. A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the distal end of the holding element comprises a plurality of fingers extending radially outward in a tapered configuration.

10. A surgical instrument as recited in claim 9, wherein the fingers are circumferentially disposed about the distal end of the holding element.

11. A surgical instrument as recited in claim 9, wherein the fingers extend from the distal end of the holding element in a cantilevered configuration.

12. A surgical instrument as recited in claim 9, wherein the fingers taper to an increased diameter of the holding element in a proximal to distal direction.

13. A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the lock includes a distal portion having a chamfered configuration.

14. A method for treating a spine, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a surgical instrument comprising a lock including an inner surface defining a cavity and a locking surface, and a holding element positioned within the cavity and comprising an inner surface defining a passageway;

providing a fastener including an inner surface defining an axial passageway;

connecting the fastener with the surgical instrument;

disposing a longitudinal element within the cavity and the passageways such that a tip of the longitudinal element extends from the fastener;

engaging the tip with tissue that includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer such that the tip penetrates the first layer and/or the second layer;

moving the holding element to engage the locking surface to fix the longitudinal element with the holding element;

engaging the surgical instrument with the fastener such that the fastener moves relative to the longitudinal element and penetrates the first and second layers; and

removing the longitudinal element from the passageway of the fastener.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the step of engaging the tip with tissue includes resisting penetration of the tip with the third layer.

16. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the step of engaging the surgical instrument with the fastener includes preventing penetration of the fastener with the third layer.

17. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the first layer includes cortical bone, the second layer includes cancellous bone and the third layer includes cortical bone.

18. A surgical system comprising:

a surgical instrument comprising;

a body comprising an inner surface defining a first passageway, an opening and an aperture, the opening and the aperture being in communication with the first passageway,

a lock positioned within the opening and including an inner surface defining a cavity that is in communication with the first passageway, the lock including a locking surface,

a holding element positioned within the cavity comprising an inner surface defining a second passageway that is in communication with the first passageway, and

an extension positioned in the aperture, the extension comprising an inner surface defining a first channel that is in communication with the first passageway;

a fastener engaging the extension, the fastener comprising an inner surface defining a second channel; and

a longitudinal element positioned within the passageways, the cavity and the channels such that at least a tip of the longitudinal element extends through a distal end of the second channel,

wherein the surgical instrument includes a first orientation in which a distal end of the holding element is spaced apart from the locking surface and the longitudinal element is translatable relative to the body and a second orientation in which the distal end of the holding element engages the locking surface and the longitudinal element is fixed relative to the body.

19. A surgical system as recited in claim 18, wherein a proximal portion of the fastener is configured for disposal within the first channel.

20. A surgical system as recited in claim 18, wherein a distal end of the extension has a bit configuration that is disposed in a recess defined by the inner surface of the fastener to prevent rotation of the fastener relative to the extension.