Minimally invasive bone anchor extensions
First Claim
1. A bone anchor extension, comprising:
- an inner tube having proximal and distal ends with a lumen extending therebetween;
an outer tube disposed about at least a portion of the inner tube, the outer tube having proximal and distal ends with a lumen extending therebetween, the outer tube being sized to span from at least a skin incision in a patient to a predetermined site proximate a spine of the patient; and
a locking mechanism substantially external with respect to the outer tube, the locking mechanism having a proximal portion pivotally coupled to the outer tube and a distal portion pivotally coupled to the inner tube such that pivotal movement of the locking mechanism causes the distal end of the inner tube to move distally toward the distal end of the outer tube to engage a bone anchor therebetween,wherein the locking mechanism is movable between a first position, in which the locking mechanism extends longitudinally relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube and the proximal portion is positioned on one side of the outer tube and the distal portion is positioned on an opposite side of the outer tube, and a second position in which the locking mechanism extends transversely outward relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for facilitating delivery and implanting of a bone anchor into bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor extension is provided for coupling to a bone anchor to facilitate delivery and implanting of the bone anchor in bone. The bone anchor extension can have a generally elongate configuration that allows it to extend from a skin incision in a patient to a site proximate a patient'"'"'s spine, and it can include a lumen extending therethrough between proximal and distal ends thereof. A distal end of the bone anchor extension can be adapted to engage a bone anchor, such as a bone screw. Various techniques are provided for locking the distal end of the bone anchor extension into engagement with a bone anchor.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A bone anchor extension, comprising:
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an inner tube having proximal and distal ends with a lumen extending therebetween; an outer tube disposed about at least a portion of the inner tube, the outer tube having proximal and distal ends with a lumen extending therebetween, the outer tube being sized to span from at least a skin incision in a patient to a predetermined site proximate a spine of the patient; and a locking mechanism substantially external with respect to the outer tube, the locking mechanism having a proximal portion pivotally coupled to the outer tube and a distal portion pivotally coupled to the inner tube such that pivotal movement of the locking mechanism causes the distal end of the inner tube to move distally toward the distal end of the outer tube to engage a bone anchor therebetween, wherein the locking mechanism is movable between a first position, in which the locking mechanism extends longitudinally relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube and the proximal portion is positioned on one side of the outer tube and the distal portion is positioned on an opposite side of the outer tube, and a second position in which the locking mechanism extends transversely outward relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A bone anchor extension, comprising:
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an inner tube having proximal and distal ends with a lumen extending therebetween; an outer tube disposed about at least a portion of the inner tube, the outer tube having proximal and distal ends with a lumen extending therebetween, the outer tube being sized to span from at least a skin incision in a patient to a predetermined site proximate a spine of the patient; and a locking mechanism pivotally coupled to the inner and outer tubes and configured such that pivotal movement of the locking mechanism causes the distal end of the inner tube to move distally toward the distal end of the outer tube to engage a bone anchor therebetween; wherein the locking mechanism is movable between a first position, in which the locking mechanism extends longitudinally relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube, and a second position in which the locking mechanism extends transversely outward relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube; wherein the locking mechanism comprises an arm having at least one cam formed thereon and disposed between the inner and outer tubes; and wherein the at least one cam is pivotally coupled to the outer tube and is disposed within at least one cut-out formed in the inner tube such that pivotal movement of the arm is effective to move the inner tube relative to the outer tube. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A spinal anchoring system, comprising:
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a bone anchor having a head with a bone-engaging shank extending therefrom; and a bone anchor extension having an inner tube having proximal and distal ends with a lumen extending therebetween, an outer tube disposed about at least a portion of the inner tube and having proximal and distal ends with a lumen extending therebetween, the outer tube being sized to span from at least a skin incision in a patient to a predetermined site proximate a spine of the patient, and a locking mechanism substantially external with respect to the outer tube, the locking mechanism having a proximal portion pivotally coupled to the outer tube and a distal portion pivotally coupled to the inner tube to pivot to move the inner tube distally toward the distal end of the outer tube to engage the head of bone anchor therebetween, wherein the locking mechanism is movable between a first position, in which the locking mechanism extends longitudinally relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube and the proximal portion is positioned on one side of the outer tube and the distal portion is positioned on an opposite side of the outer tube, and a second position in which the locking mechanism extends transversely outward relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A surgical method, comprising:
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engaging a head of a bone anchor with a distal end of an outer tube; and pivoting a locking mechanism pivotally coupled to a proximal portion of the outer tube at a proximal portion of the locking mechanism and to a proximal portion of an inner tube disposed within the outer tube at a distal portion of the locking mechanism to move the locking mechanism from an unlocked position to a locked position and thereby slide the inner tube distally toward the outer tube to engage the head of the bone anchor between the distal ends of the inner and outer tubes, wherein in the locked position the proximal portion of the locking mechanism is positioned on one side of the outer tube and the distal portion of the locking mechanism is positioned on an opposite side of the outer tube. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification