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;
a second screw having a second screw head;
a spinal fixation element configured to be retained in both the first screw head and the second screw head;
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; and
at least a second guiding element extending away from the second screw and configured to extend through the skin opening;
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.
18 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; a second screw having a second screw head; a spinal fixation element configured to be retained in both the first screw head and the second screw head; 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; and at least a second guiding element extending away from the second screw and configured to extend through the skin opening; 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, 15, 16)
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17. 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; a spinal fixation element configured to be retained in a seat of the first screw head and a seat of the second screw head; and a guiding element comprising one or more wires 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. - 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 a seat defining a channel for receiving a spinal fixation element; at least one wire extending from the screw head configured to guide the spinal fixation element into the channel of the seat of the screw head. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification