Method of securing vertebrae
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system enabling minimally invasive procedures at a surgical location at or near the spine of a patient, said system comprising:
- an elongate body having an inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body and through which surgical instruments can be inserted to the surgical location, said elongate body capable of having a configuration when inserted within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of said passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location, said elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion is independently pivotable relative to the distal portion; and
a support arm configured to support the proximal portion of the elongate body hands-free outside the patient when the distal portion is inserted at the surgical location, the support arm configured to pivot the proximal portion relative to the distal portion, and to support and maintain the proximal portion in the pivoted position.
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Abstract
A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A system enabling minimally invasive procedures at a surgical location at or near the spine of a patient, said system comprising:
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an elongate body having an inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body and through which surgical instruments can be inserted to the surgical location, said elongate body capable of having a configuration when inserted within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of said passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location, said elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion is independently pivotable relative to the distal portion; and a support arm configured to support the proximal portion of the elongate body hands-free outside the patient when the distal portion is inserted at the surgical location, the support arm configured to pivot the proximal portion relative to the distal portion, and to support and maintain the proximal portion in the pivoted position. - 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)
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26. A device for providing access to a first location adjacent the spine of a patient, comprising:
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an elongate body having a tubular proximal end and a distal end and a passage extending through the elongate body through which surgical instruments can be delivered, said elongate body being enlargeable such that the passage at a distal location is larger than the passage at a proximal location; and a support arm operably connected to the proximal end of the elongate body, the support arm extending generally transverse to an axis defined along the passage of the elongate body between the proximal and distal ends, the support arm configured to support and position the elongate body outside of the patient when the device is applied to the patient, the support arm configured such that a user may place the elongate body in a desired position relative to the patient, and the support arm maintains the elongate body in the desired position without being held by a user. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A system enabling minimally invasive procedures at a surgical location at or near the spine of a patient, said system comprising:
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an elongate body having an inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body and through which surgical instruments can be inserted to the surgical location, said elongate body being expandable from a first configuration for insertion into a patient to a second configuration when inserted within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of said passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location; and a first support arm configured to support the elongate body outside the patient when the system is applied to the patient the support arm configured to move the elongate body and to maintain the elongate body in a desired position relative to the patient without being held by a user; and a second support arm configured to support a viewing device without being held by a user, the second support arm coupled to the first support arm. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification