System and method for positioning a connecting member adjacent the spinal column in minimally invasive procedures

• US 7,465,306 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2004
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Melkent, Anthony J., Pond, John D. Jr., Stamps, Stephen, Perkins, Luke
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert; Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cumberledge; Jerry
• Application Number:
  US10/918,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20060036255A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,586 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606/86
• US Class Current: 606/86.00A
• 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 17/7032 Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass
• 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 17/7082 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 17/7085 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
• 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

A spinal surgical system includes at least two extenders extending proximally from respective ones of first and second anchors engaged to the spinal column. A connecting member is positionable between the at least two extenders such that the connecting member extends between the at least two extenders. The connecting member is movable distally along the at least two extenders and engageable to the first and second anchors.

Claims

1. A spinal surgical system, comprising:

a first anchor engageable to a spinal column;

a first extender extending between a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being releasably engageable to said first anchor when engaged to the spinal column, said first extender including a passage extending at least partially therethrough and opening at said distal end, said first extender including an entry hole in one side thereof in communication with said passage and an elongated slot along another side thereof opposite said entry hole, said elongated slot being in communication with said passage and opening at said distal end;

a second anchor engageable to the spinal column;

a second extender extending between a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being releasably engageable to said second anchor when engaged to the spinal column, said second extender including a passage extending at least partially therethrough and opening at said distal end, said second extender including an elongated slot in one side thereof in communication with said passage, said elongated slot of said second extender being alignable with said elongated slot of said first extender;

a connecting member positionable through said entry hole of said first extender and into a position extending between said passages of said first and second extenders through said elongated slots of said first and second extender, wherein;

at least one of said extenders includes an engaging member defining said passage, said engaging member being removably engageable with a respective one of said first and second anchors, said at least one extender further including an actuator positioned about said engaging member and movable therealong to bias said engaging member into engagement with said respective anchor;

said engaging member includes a pair of opposite legs separated from one another by a pair of opposite slots, said slots each including a proximal terminal end spaced distally from a proximal end of said engaging member;

said actuator includes a tubular body positionable over said engaging member, said tubular body defining at least one slot extending therealong aligned with one of said slots of said engaging member to form said elongated slot of said at least one extender; and

said actuator defines said entry hole in a side thereof opposite said at least one slot of said actuator, said entry hole being aligned with said proximal terminal end of said slots of said engaging member.

2. A spinal surgical system, comprising:

a first anchor engageable to a spinal column;

a first extender extending between a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being releasably engageable to said first anchor when engaged to the spinal column, said first extender including a passage extending at least partially therethrough and opening at said distal end, said first extender including an entry hole in one side thereof in communication with said passage and an elongated slot along another side thereof opposite said entry hole, said elongated slot being in communication with said passage and opening at said distal end;

a second anchor engageable to the spinal column;

a second extender extending between a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being releasably engageable to said second anchor when engaged to the spinal column, said second extender including a passage extending at least partially theretbrough and opening at said distal end, said second extender including an elongated slot in one side thereof in communication with said passage, said elongated slot of said second extender being alignable with said elongated slot of said first extender;

a connecting member positionable through said entry hole of said first extender and into a position extending between said passages of said first and second extenders through said elongated slots of said first and second extender, wherein;

at least one of said extenders includes an engaging member defining said passage, said engaging member being removably engageable with a respective one of said first and second anchors, said at least one extender further including an actuator positioned about said engaging member and movable therealong to bias said engaging member into engagement with said respective anchor;

said engaging member includes a pair of opposite legs separated from one another by a pair of opposite slots, said slots each including a proximal terminal end spaced distally from a proximal end of said engaging member;

said actuator includes a tubular body positionable over said engaging member, said tubular body defining at least one slot extending therealong aligned wit one of said slots of said engaging member to form said elongated slot of said at least one extender; and

said actuator defines said entry hole in a side thereof opposite said at least one slot of said actuator, said entry hole being offset proximally of said proximal terminal ends of said slots of said engaging member.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said engaging member includes an entry hole in communication with said passage and spaced proximally of said proximal terminal ends of said slots of said engaging member, said entry hole of said engaging member being aligned with said entry hole of said actuator.

4. A spinal surgical system, comprising:

at least three anchors engageable to the spinal column, each of said anchors including a receiver member;

at least three extenders positionable adjacent one another and engageable to respective ones of said at least three anchors, each of said at least three extenders extending along a longitudinal axis proximally from said respective anchor when engaged thereto, each said at least three extenders further defining a passage opening along at least a portion of a length of the respective extender adjacent at least at a distal end of said respective extender and into said receiver member of said respective anchor when engaged thereto, at least one of said extenders including an opening adjacent a proximal end thereof in a side thereof opposite the other of the at least three extenders;

a connecting member positioned through said opening between said at least three extenders transversely to said longitudinal axes of said extenders and in said passages thereof, said connecting member being movable in said passages and along said at least three extenders into said receiver members of said anchors, wherein;

at least one of said extenders includes an engaging member defining said passage, said engaging member being removably engageable with said receiver member, said at least one extender further including an actuator positioned about said engaging member and movable therealong to bias said engaging member into engagement with said receiver member;

said engaging member includes a pair of opposite legs separated from one another by a pair of opposite slots, said slots each including a proximal terminal end spaced distally from a proximal end of said engaging member;

said actuator includes a tubular body positionable over said engaging member, said tubular body defining at least one slot extending therealong alignable with one of said slots of said engaging member; and

said actuator defines an entry hole in a side thereof opposite said at least one slot of said tubular body, said entry hole being aligned with the other of said slots of said engaging member to form said opening.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said entry hole is aligned axially with said proximal terminal end of the other of said slots of said engaging member.

6. A spinal surgical system, comprising:

at least three anchors engageable to the spinal column, each of said anchors including a receiver member;

at least three extenders positionable adjacent one another and engageable to respective ones of said at least three anchors, each of said at least three extenders extending along a longitudinal axis proximally from said respective anchor when engaged thereto, each said at least three extenders further defining a passage opening along at least a portion of a length of the respective extender adjacent at least at a distal end of said respective extender and into said receiver member of said respective anchor when engaged thereto, at least one of said extenders including an opening adjacent a proximal end thereof in a side thereof opposite the other of the at least three extenders;

a connecting member positioned through said opening between said at least three extenders transversely to said longitudinal axes of said extenders and in said passages thereof, said connecting member being movable in said passages and along said at least three extenders into said receiver members of said anchors, wherein;

at least one of said extenders includes an engaging member defining said passage, said engaging member being removably engageable with said receiver member, said at least one extender further including an actuator positioned about said engaging member and movable therealong to bias said engaging member into engagement with said receiver member;

said engaging member includes a pair of opposite legs separated from one another by a pair of opposite slots, said slots each including a proximal terminal end spaced distally from a proximal end of said engaging member;

said actuator includes a tubular body positionable over said engaging member, said tubular body defining at least one slot extending therealong alignable with one of said slots of said engaging member; and

said engaging member includes an entry hole in a side thereof spaced proximally of said proximal terminal end of the other of said slots of said engaging member.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said actuator includes an entry hole in a side thereof alignable with said entry hole of said engaging member to form said opening.

8. A spinal surgical system, comprising:

a first anchor engageable to bony structure;

a first extender extending between a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being releasably engageable to said first anchor when engaged to bony structure, said first extender including a passage extending at least partially therethrough and opening at said distal end, wherein said first extender includes;

an engaging member removably engageable with said first anchor, said engaging member defining said passage and including a pair of opposite slots opening into said passage, said opposite slots each extending to a proximal terminal end spaced distally from a proximal end of said engaging member;

an actuator including a tubular body positioned about said engaging member, said tubular body defining at least one slot extending therealong aligned with one of said opposite slots of said engaging member, said engaging member further including an entry hole in a side thereof opposite said at least one slot, said entry hole being substantially aligned with said proximal terminal end of said opposite slot of said engaging member

aligned with said at least one slot of said engaging member;

a second anchor engageable to bony structure;

a second extender extending between a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being releasably engageable to said second anchor when engaged to bony structure, said second extender including a passage extending at least partially therethrough and opening at said distal end, said second extender including opposite elongated slots in opposite sides thereof in communication with said passage, said elongated slots of said second extender being alignable with said elongated slots of said first extender; and

a connecting member positioned between said passages of said first and second extenders, wherein when positioned between said passages of said first and second extenders said connecting member includes a length sized to project through oppositely facing elongated slots of said first and second extenders as said connecting member is moved along said first and second extenders toward said first and second anchors.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a third anchor and a third extender extending between a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being releasably engageable to said third anchor when engaged to bony structure on a side of said second anchor opposite said first anchor, said third extender including a passage extending at least partially therethrough and opening at said distal end, said third extender including opposing slots therealong in communication with said passage and opening at said distal end of said third extender.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said connecting member is positionable between said passages of said first, second and third extenders through said elongated slots of said first, second and third extenders.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said of said first, second and third extenders are pivotal relative to at least a portion of said respective anchor when engaged thereto.