System and method for wire-guided pedicle screw stabilization of spinal vertebrae
First Claim
1. A method of treating the spine, comprising:
- making an incision in the skin of a patient to provide access to a spinal location;
delivering a first screw through the incision and into a first vertebra, the first screw having detachably connected thereto a first guiding element comprising a tower, tube, or partial tube having a height, after implantation of the first screw into the first vertebra, at or below the level of the skin incision;
delivering a second screw through the incision and into a second vertebra;
delivering a spinal stabilization element to the first and second screws; and
locking the spinal stabilization element to the first and second screws.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of treating the spine, comprising:
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making an incision in the skin of a patient to provide access to a spinal location; delivering a first screw through the incision and into a first vertebra, the first screw having detachably connected thereto a first guiding element comprising a tower, tube, or partial tube having a height, after implantation of the first screw into the first vertebra, at or below the level of the skin incision; delivering a second screw through the incision and into a second vertebra; delivering a spinal stabilization element to the first and second screws; and locking the spinal stabilization element to the first and second screws. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for bone stabilization, comprising:
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a first screw having a first screw head; a first guiding element detachably connected to the first screw head; a second screw having a second screw head; a spinal fixation element; and a locking mechanism configured to lock the spinal fixation element into the first and second screw heads, wherein the first guiding element comprises a tower, tube, or partial tube configured to have a height, after implantation of the first screw into a vertebra, at or below a level of a skin incision, wherein the spinal fixation element is configured to be guided by the first guiding element to the first and second screw heads. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A screw for use in bone stabilization, comprising:
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a screw shaft; a screw head configured to receive a spinal fixation element; a guiding element extending from the screw head, the guiding element comprising a tower, tube, or partial tube, wherein the guiding element is configured to have a height, after implantation of the screw through a skin incision and into a vertebra, at or below a level of the skin incision. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification