Less invasive surgical system and methods
First Claim
1. A system for implanting an elongated fixation device into a channel formed in one or more spinal fixation devices through an opening in a patient, the system comprising:
- a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, a passageway from the proximal end to the distal end and at least one slot intersecting the passageway, wherein the at least one slot is sized and configured to receive the elongated fixation device;
wherein the cannula includes;
an outer cannulated shaft having a bore therethrough; and
an inner cannulated shaft having a bore therethrough, the bore of the inner cannulated shaft defining the passageway, the inner cannulated shaft slidably receivable within the bore of the outer cannulated shaft, the inner cannulated shaft includes diametrically opposed flexible members, each flexible member having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion is operably connected to the inner cannulated shaft and the second end portion is moveable with respect to the inner cannulated shaft, the outer cannulated shaft is slidable on the inner cannulated shaft to and between a first position and a second position, the flexible members positioned in engagement with an outer periphery of the spinal fixation device when the outer cannulated shaft is positioned in the second position, the inner cannulated shaft further includes an arm diametrically opposed to the slot, the arm having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion is operably connected to the inner cannulated shaft and the second end portion is moveable with respect to the inner cannulated shaft such that when the outer cannulated shaft moves from the first position to the second position, the second end portion of the arm moves into the channel formed in thespinal fixation device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for performing a less invasive surgical procedure and, in particular, devices and methods for spinal fixation. The system comprises dilation tool(s), at least one working/insertion cannula, a plurality of screws, at least one fixation rod for connecting the screws, and a rod inserter. The dilation tool(s) may be used to dilate an incision made in a patient to form an opening. An insertion cannula may be attached to a screw and inserted into the opening. The screws may be polyaxial screws and may be inserted into the vertebrae using a screwdriver. An operator may then move the insertion cannula to manipulate a head portion of the screws such that the head portions may be aligned to receive a fixation rod. A rod inserter may be used to insert a fixation rod into the head portions.
297 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A system for implanting an elongated fixation device into a channel formed in one or more spinal fixation devices through an opening in a patient, the system comprising:
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a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, a passageway from the proximal end to the distal end and at least one slot intersecting the passageway, wherein the at least one slot is sized and configured to receive the elongated fixation device;
wherein the cannula includes;an outer cannulated shaft having a bore therethrough; and an inner cannulated shaft having a bore therethrough, the bore of the inner cannulated shaft defining the passageway, the inner cannulated shaft slidably receivable within the bore of the outer cannulated shaft, the inner cannulated shaft includes diametrically opposed flexible members, each flexible member having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion is operably connected to the inner cannulated shaft and the second end portion is moveable with respect to the inner cannulated shaft, the outer cannulated shaft is slidable on the inner cannulated shaft to and between a first position and a second position, the flexible members positioned in engagement with an outer periphery of the spinal fixation device when the outer cannulated shaft is positioned in the second position, the inner cannulated shaft further includes an arm diametrically opposed to the slot, the arm having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion is operably connected to the inner cannulated shaft and the second end portion is moveable with respect to the inner cannulated shaft such that when the outer cannulated shaft moves from the first position to the second position, the second end portion of the arm moves into the channel formed in thespinal fixation device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A system for implanting an elongated fixation device into a channel formed in one or more spinal fixation devices through an opening in a patient, the system comprising:
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a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one sidewall, the at least one sidewall defining a passageway from the proximal end to the distal end, the cannula having at least one slot in the at least one sidewall communicating with the passageway, and a pair of diametrically opposed flexible members for engaging the spinal fixation device, each of the flexible members comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion operably connected to the at least one sidewall of the cannula and the second end portion freely moveable into and out of the passageway of the cannula, the second end portion engageable with the spinal fixation device; and an arm diametrically opposed from the at least one slot, the arm having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being operably connected to the at least one sidewall of the cannula and the second end portion being freely moveable into and out of the channel formed in the spinal fixation device. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification