Pivoting implant holder
First Claim
1. A spinal rod inserter tool, comprising:
- an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween;
a pivoting element having first and second opposed ends, the first end being pivotally coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and the second end having a mating element adapted to releasably engage a spinal rod such that the spinal rod is parallel with a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second opposed ends of the pivoting element, the pivoting element being movable between a first position, in which the longitudinal axis of the pivoting element is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a second position, in which the longitudinal axis of the pivoting element is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft; and
an actuator mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the elongate shaft and operably connected to the pivoting element to move the pivoting element between the first and second positions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A medical inserter tool is provided for introducing medical implants into a surgical site, preferably using minimally invasive techniques. The inserter tool can have a variety of configurations, but in general, the inserter tool should be effective to engage and manipulate the implant into two or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a pivoting element that is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and that is adapted to engage a spinal implant. In use, the pivoting element is movable between first and second positions to allow an implant to be introduced through a percutaneous access device in a lengthwise orientation, and to be manipulated subcutaneously to be positioned in a desired orientation.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A spinal rod inserter tool, comprising:
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an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a pivoting element having first and second opposed ends, the first end being pivotally coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and the second end having a mating element adapted to releasably engage a spinal rod such that the spinal rod is parallel with a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second opposed ends of the pivoting element, the pivoting element being movable between a first position, in which the longitudinal axis of the pivoting element is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a second position, in which the longitudinal axis of the pivoting element is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft; and an actuator mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the elongate shaft and operably connected to the pivoting element to move the pivoting element between the first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A spinal rod inserter tool, comprising:
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an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a pivoting element pivotally coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and movable between first and second positions, the pivoting element being adapted to engage a spinal rod such that a longitudinal axis of the pivoting element extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the spinal rod; and a cam mechanism formed between the elongate shaft and the pivoting element and operably connected to the pivoting element such that the cam mechanism controllably causes the pivoting element to move between the first and second positions, the cam mechanism comprising a pin member formed on one of the pivoting element and the elongate shaft, and an elongate slot formed in the other one of the pivoting element and the elongate shaft, the elongate slot slidably receiving the pin member.
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Specification