Instruments and methods for stabilization of bony structures
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A minimally invasive surgical method, comprising:
- accessing at least one of a disc space and an intertransverse space between adjacent vertebrae from a first location on a patient;
inserting from the first location at least one device into the at least one disc space and intertransverse space;
engaging from the first location first and second anchors to corresponding ones of the adjacent vertebrae; and
positioning a connecting element proximate the first and second anchors, wherein the first and second anchors each include an anchor extension extending proximally therefrom through the first location to a second location outside the patient and the anchor extensions each include a U-shaped opening at its distal end that is aligned with a passageway defined by respective ones of the first and second anchors and positioning the connecting element includes positioning the connecting element so it extends through the aligned anchor extensions and first and second anchors.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and instruments for placing a brace or connecting element into an animal subject for engagement with anchors secured in the animal subject. The installation instrument includes anchor extensions coupled to the anchors. The instrument is movable with respect to the anchors to position the connecting element in a position more proximate the anchors.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A minimally invasive surgical method, comprising:
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accessing at least one of a disc space and an intertransverse space between adjacent vertebrae from a first location on a patient; inserting from the first location at least one device into the at least one disc space and intertransverse space; engaging from the first location first and second anchors to corresponding ones of the adjacent vertebrae; and positioning a connecting element proximate the first and second anchors, wherein the first and second anchors each include an anchor extension extending proximally therefrom through the first location to a second location outside the patient and the anchor extensions each include a U-shaped opening at its distal end that is aligned with a passageway defined by respective ones of the first and second anchors and positioning the connecting element includes positioning the connecting element so it extends through the aligned anchor extensions and first and second anchors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A minimally invasive surgical method, comprising:
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accessing at least one of a disc space and an intertransverse space between adjacent vertebrae from a first location on a patient; engaging from the first location first and second anchors to corresponding ones of the adjacent vertebrae, wherein the first and second anchors include anchor extensions removably engaged thereto with the anchor extensions extending proximally from the first and second anchors through the first location to proximal ends of the anchor extensions outside the patient; inserting from the first location at least one device into the at least one disc space and intertransverse space; positioning a connecting element through passages defined between the anchor extensions and the first and second anchors; engaging the connecting element to the first and second anchors; and removing the anchor extensions from the first and second anchors. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A minimally invasive surgical method, comprising:
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accessing at least one of a disc space and an intertransverse space between adjacent vertebrae from a first location on a patient; engaging from the first location first and second anchors to corresponding ones of the adjacent vertebrae, wherein the first and second anchors include anchor extensions removably engaged to the first and second anchors, and the anchor extensions extend proximally from the first and second anchors through the first location to proximal ends outside the patient; manipulating the first and second anchor extensions to distract the adjacent vertebrae; inserting from the first location at least one device into the at least one disc space and intertransverse space; positioning a connecting element through passages defined between the anchor extensions and the first and second anchors; and removing the anchor extensions from the first and second anchors. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification