System and method for wire-guided pedicle screw stabilization of spinal vertebrae
First Claim
1. A system for bone stabilization comprising:
- a first screw having a first screw head comprising opposing sides;
a second screw having a second screw head comprising opposing sides;
a spinal fixation element configured to be retained in at least one of the first screw head and the second screw head between the opposing sides;
at least a first guiding element extending away from the first screw and configured to extend through a skin opening through which the first guiding element is delivered, wherein the first guiding element comprises at least one elongated member extending away from each of the opposing sides of the first screw head; and
at least a second guiding element extending away from the second screw and configured to extend through the skin opening, wherein the second guiding element comprises at least one elongated member extending away from each of the opposing sides of the second screw head;
wherein at least one of the elongated members is flexible in at least a plane substantially parallel with the opposing sides of the screw head from which said at least one elongated member extends;
wherein the first guiding element and the second guiding element are configured to overlap, and wherein the first guiding element and second guiding element are capable in their overlapping configuration of guiding the spinal fixation element towards contact with the first and second screw heads at any angle permitted geometrically by the guiding elements including an angle not parallel with a long axis of either of the guiding elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved system and method for positioning screws and rods to immobilize bones is provided. Specifically, the system and method is optimal for performing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and other interbody fusions in the spine. The system involves pedicle screws detachably connected to wires that guide rods down to the screws. The wires are strong, narrow, flexible, adjustable in tension, and easily disconnected from the screws after rod placement via a process such as cutting, radiating, burning, dissolving, etc. The use of wires to place the rods avoids the conventional bulky tower apparatuses of the prior art while at the same time enhancing the accuracy of placement. One of the preferred methods involves relying upon the natural lordotic curvature of the spine and the narrow diameter of the wires to insert many elements through a single minimally invasive incision.
122 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for bone stabilization comprising:
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a first screw having a first screw head comprising opposing sides; a second screw having a second screw head comprising opposing sides; a spinal fixation element configured to be retained in at least one of the first screw head and the second screw head between the opposing sides; at least a first guiding element extending away from the first screw and configured to extend through a skin opening through which the first guiding element is delivered, wherein the first guiding element comprises at least one elongated member extending away from each of the opposing sides of the first screw head; and at least a second guiding element extending away from the second screw and configured to extend through the skin opening, wherein the second guiding element comprises at least one elongated member extending away from each of the opposing sides of the second screw head; wherein at least one of the elongated members is flexible in at least a plane substantially parallel with the opposing sides of the screw head from which said at least one elongated member extends; wherein the first guiding element and the second guiding element are configured to overlap, and wherein the first guiding element and second guiding element are capable in their overlapping configuration of guiding the spinal fixation element towards contact with the first and second screw heads at any angle permitted geometrically by the guiding elements including an angle not parallel with a long axis of either of the guiding elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for bone stabilization comprising:
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a first screw having a first screw head; a second screw having a second screw head; at least a first guiding element extending away from the first screw head and configured to extend through a skin opening through which the first guiding element is delivered; at least a second guiding element extending away from the second screw and configured to extend through a skin opening through which the second guiding element is delivered; and a spinal fixation element configured to be retained in both the first screw head and the second screw head, the spinal fixation element comprising a retention element configured to be guided by at least one of the guiding elements to assist in delivering the spinal fixation element to the first screw head and the second screw head; wherein the retention element is attached to a region near an end of the spinal fixation element and is extendible through or along the guiding elements to raise, lower, push, pull, and rotate the spinal fixation element into position within the heads of the screws. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A system for bone stabilization, comprising:
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a first screw having a first screw head comprising opposing sides defining a seat between the opposing sides; a second screw having a second screw head; a spinal fixation element configured to be retained in at least the seat of the first screw head; and a guiding element comprising one or more elongated members extending away at least from the first screw, the guiding element configured to guide the spinal fixation element into contact with the first screw head; wherein at least one of the elongated members is flexible in at least a plane substantially parallel with the opposing sides of the first screw head. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A screw for use in bone stabilization, comprising:
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a screw shaft; a screw head having opposing sides to define a seat defining a channel for receiving a spinal fixation element; at least one elongated member extending from at least one of the opposing sides of the screw head configured to guide the spinal fixation element into the channel of the seat of the screw head; wherein at least one of the elongated members is flexible in at least a plane substantially parallel with the opposing sides of the screw head. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification