Rod persuader

• US 6,660,006 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2002
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Stryker Spine
• Inventors: Markworth, Aaron, Crozet, Yves
• Primary Examiner(s): REIP, DAVID OWEN
• Application Number:
  US10/124,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20030199872A1
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606/73, 606/99, 606/104
• US Class Current: 606/86.00A
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7032 Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7086 Rod reducers, i.e. devices providing a mechanical advantage to allow a user to force a rod into or onto an anchor head other than by means of a rod-to-bone anchor locking element; rod removers

Abstract

An apparatus for persuading an orthopedic rod into position in an orthopedic device such as an implant or coupling element is disclosed. The apparatus includes a body, a pusher member and a trigger slidingly coupling the pusher member to the body. The pusher member includes a slide and sleeve attached to the slide. The sleeve includes at least one pusher bar. A ratchet controls the translation of the pusher member along the body to urge the rod into position in the orthopedic device. The pusher member and body define a cannula so that a fastener may be inserted once the rod is in position. The apparatus is operable via a single hand. In addition, a method of urging an orthopedic rod into a recess of an orthopedic device using the rod persuader is provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for urging an orthopedic rod into a recess of an orthopedic device, comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end, said second end being releasably attachable to the orthopedic device;

a pusher member;

a trigger coupling said pusher member to said body, wherein actuation of said trigger translates said pusher member toward said second end into contact with the orthopedic rod and further urges the orthopedic rod into the recess of the orthopedic device.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pusher member comprises:

a slide slidingly coupled to said body via said trigger;

a sleeve attached to said slide and partially surrounding said second end; and

at least one pusher bar integral with said sleeve and defining a recess for accommodating the orthopedic rod upon contact.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a grip extending angularly from said first end of said body; and

a handle extending from said trigger, said handle being movable toward said grip to actuate said trigger and thereby, translate said pusher member toward said second end.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of fingers extending from said second end for releasably gripping the orthopedic device.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said fingers are elastic members that are separable to receive and grip the orthopedic device therebetween.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said fingers define projections cooperable with recesses on the orthopedic device.

7. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sleeve includes portions in juxtaposition with said fingers and upon translation of said pusher member toward said second end, said portions translate adjacent to said fingers to prevent said fingers from separating.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said portions comprise a pair of arms extending from opposite sides of said sleeve.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cannula extending from said first end of said body to said second end of said body.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said cannula is formed by channels in said body and said pusher member that are arranged one on top of the other.

11. An apparatus for urging an orthopedic rod into a recess of an orthopedic device, comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end, said second end being releasably attachable to the orthopedic device;

a pusher member slidingly coupled to said body; and

a trigger coupling said pusher member to said body, wherein actuation of said trigger translates said pusher member toward said second end into contact with the orthopedic rod and further urges the orthopedic rod into the recess of the orthopedic device;

a ratchet for controlling the translation of said pusher member in steps, wherein said ratchet locks at each step to prevent the pusher member from translating away from the orthopedic rod.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said pusher member comprises:

a slide slidingly coupled to said body via said trigger;

a sleeve attached to said slide and partially surrounding said second end; and

at least one pusher bar integral with said sleeve and defining a recess for accommodating the orthopedic rod upon contact.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising:

a grip extending angularly from said first end of said body;

a handle extending from said trigger, said handle being movable toward said grip to actuate said trigger and thereby, translate said pusher member toward said second end, wherein moving said handle advances said ratchet one step; and

an elastic member operatively associated with said handle and said grip to hold said handle in a normally open position, wherein said elastic member locks said ratchet at each step after said handle is moved.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said ratchet is attached to said grip or said handle.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said ratchet comprises:

a rack including a plurality of female teeth, each said female tooth being one step;

a hinge attaching said rack to said grip or said handle, wherein said rack may be rotated about said hinge to unlock said ratchet; and

a male tooth extending opposite said female teeth from said handle or said grip and cooperating with said female teeth, wherein moving said handle advances said male tooth into the next said female tooth and said elastic member locks said male tooth at the next step.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a pair of fingers extending from said second end for releasably gripping the orthopedic device.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said fingers are elastic members that are separable to receive and grip the orthopedic device therebetween.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said fingers define projections cooperable with recesses on the orthopedic device.

19. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said sleeve includes portions in juxtaposition with said fingers and upon translation of said pusher member toward said second end, said portions translate adjacent to said fingers to prevent said fingers from separating.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said portions comprise a pair of arms.

21. An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a cannula extending from said first end of said body to said second end of said body.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said cannula is formed by channels in said body and said pusher member that are arranged one on top of the other.

23. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said ratchet is formed at said first end of said body.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said ratchet comprises:

a plurality of female teeth defined in a bottom of said pusher member or a top of said body, each said female tooth being one step;

a male tooth extending opposite said female teeth from said top of said body or said bottom of said pusher member and cooperating with said female teeth, wherein moving of said handle advances said male tooth into the next said female tooth and said elastic member locks said male tooth at the next step; and

a tab extending from said body, wherein said tab is operable to unlock said ratchet.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a pair of fingers extending from said second end for releasably gripping the orthopedic device.

26. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said fingers are elastic members that are separable to receive and grip the orthopedic device therebetween.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said fingers define projections cooperable with recesses on the orthopedic device.

28. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said sleeve includes portions in juxtaposition with said fingers and upon translation of said pusher member toward said second end, said portions translate adjacent to said fingers to prevent said fingers from separating.

29. An apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a cannula extending from said first end of said body to said second end of said body.

30. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said cannula is formed by channels in said body and said pusher member that are arranged one on top of the other.

31. An apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a cannula extending from said first end of said body to said second end of said body.

32. An apparatus for securing a spinal rod to a pedicle screw, comprising:

a generally longitudinal body defining a channel on a top side, said body being capable to releasably grip the pedicle screw;

a generally longitudinal pusher member adjacent to said body and defining a channel on a bottom side, said channel of said body and said channel of said slide forming a cannula being capable of receiving a fastener for securing the spinal rod to the pedicle screw and a driver for tightening the fastener;

a trigger slidingly coupling said pusher member to said body, wherein actuation of said trigger translates said slide toward and into contact with the spinal rod and further urges the spinal rod into a recess of the pedicle screw;

a ratchet for controlling the translation of said pusher member in steps;

a grip extending angularly from an end of said body;

a handle extending from said trigger, said handle being movable toward said grip to actuate said trigger and thereby, translate said pusher member toward the spinal rod; and

an elastic member operatively associated with said handle and said grip to hold said handle in a normally open position, wherein said elastic member locks said ratchet at each step.

33. An apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising:

a pair of elastic fingers extending from said body, said elastic fingers being separable to receive and grip the pedicle screw therebetween; and

wherein said pusher member comprises;

a slide slidingly coupled to said body via said trigger;

a sleeve attached to said slide and including a pair of arms in juxtaposition with said finger, wherein upon translation of said pusher member, said arms translate adjacent to said fingers to prevent said fingers from separating; and

at least one pusher bar integral with said sleeve and defining a recess for accommodating the spinal rod upon contact.

34. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said ratchet comprises:

a rack including a plurality of female teeth, each said female tooth being one step;

a hinge attaching said rack to said grip or said handle, wherein said rack may be rotated about said hinge to unlock said ratchet; and

a male tooth extending from said handle or said grip and cooperating with said female teeth, wherein moving said handle advances said male tooth into the next said female tooth and said elastic member locks said male tooth at the next step.

35. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said ratchet comprises:

a plurality of female teeth defined in a bottom of said slide or a top of said body, each said female tooth being one step;

a male tooth extending opposite said female teeth from said top of said body or said bottom of said slide and cooperating with said female teeth, wherein moving said handle advances said male tooth into the next said female tooth and said elastic member locks said male tooth at the next step; and

a tab extending from said body, said tab being operable to unlock said ratchet.

36. A method for securing an orthopedic rod to an orthopedic device using a rod persuader including a body having a grip extending therefrom, a pusher member, and a trigger coupling said pusher member to said body and having a handle extending therefrom, said method comprising the steps of:

holding the rod persuader in a single hand at the grip and handle;

engaging the orthopedic device via a pair of fingers extending from the body;

displacing the handle toward the grip to actuate the trigger and thereby translating the pusher member toward the engaged orthopedic device;

contacting the rod with the pusher member while the handle is displaced;

displacing the handle further to advance the rod into the seat of the orthopedic device;

securing the rod to the orthopedic device; and

releasing the rod persuader from the orthopedic device.

37. A method according to claim 36, wherein said step of engaging further comprises the steps of:

contacting the fingers of the body with the orthopedic device; and

applying a force to the body to separate the fingers thereby allowing for insertion of the orthopedic device therebetween.

38. A method according to claim 37, wherein said step of securing further comprises the steps of:

inserting a fastener into a cannula formed between the pusher member and the body;

inserting a driver into the cannula; and

tightening the fastener via the driver to secure the rod to the orthopedic device.

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein said step of releasing further comprises the steps of:

removing the driver from the cannula;

rotating the body to separate the fingers; and

applying a force to the body away from the orthopedic device to release the rod persuader from the orthopedic device.

40. A method for securing an orthopedic rod to an orthopedic device using a rod persuader including a body having a grip extending therefrom, a pusher member, a trigger coupling the pusher member to the body and having a handle extending therefrom, a ratchet, and an elastic member attaching the handle to the grip, said method comprising:

holding the rod persuader in a single hand at the grip and handle;

engaging the orthopedic device via a pair of fingers extending from the body;

displacing the handle to actuate the trigger and advance the ratchet one step, and thereby translate the pusher member toward the engaged orthopedic device; and

locking the ratchet in position at the one step;

repeating said displacing step and said locking step until the pusher member contacts the orthopedic rod and the orthopedic rod is translated into the seat of the orthopedic device; and

securing the orthopedic rod to the orthopedic device.

41. A method according to claim 40, wherein said step of engaging further comprises the steps of:

contacting the fingers of the body with the orthopedic device; and

applying a force to the body thereby allowing for insertion of the orthopedic device therebetween.

42. A method according to claim 41, wherein said securing step further comprises the steps of:

inserting a fastener into a cannula formed between the pusher member and the body;

inserting a driver into said cannula; and

tightening the fastener via the driver to secure the rod to the orthopedic device.

43. A method according to claim 42, wherein said step of releasing further comprises the steps of:

removing the driver from the cannula;

unlocking the ratchet;

rotating the body to separate the fingers; and

applying a force to the body away from the orthopedic device to release the rod persuader from the orthopedic device.

44. An apparatus for urging an orthopedic rod toward an orthopedic device, comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end, said second end being releasably attachable to said orthopedic device and adapted to receive a portion of said orthopedic rod;

a pusher member; and

a triggering mechanism coupled to said pusher member and said body,

wherein said triggering mechanism is operable to urge said orthopedic rod toward said orthopedic device, and

wherein displacement of said triggering mechanism occurs in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of advancement of said orthopedic rod toward said orthopedic device.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said triggering mechanism comprises a pistol grip fixedly attached to said body at said first end, and a trigger coupled to said pusher member and said body.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said trigger is pivotally hinged to said pusher member and said body.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein a portion of said trigger has a fixed distance between a first pivot point connecting said trigger to said body and a second pivot point connecting said trigger to said pusher member.

48. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said pusher member comprises a slide and a sleeve, and

wherein said slide has a first end and a second end, is pivotally coupled to said triggering mechanism at said first end, and is pivotally coupled to said sleeve at said second end.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein a portion of said sleeve defines a recess for accommodating said orthopedic rod.

50. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising a set of fingers extending from said second end of said body for releasably gripping said orthopedic device.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said set of fingers are elastic, and separable to receive and grip said orthopedic device therebetween.

52. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising a cannula extending from said first end of said body to said second end of said body.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said cannula is formed by channels in said body and said pusher member.

54. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising a ratchet for controlling advancement of said pusher member.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said ratchet is located at said first end of said body.

56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said ratchet is located at said triggering mechanism.

57. An apparatus for urging an orthopedic rod toward an orthopedic device, comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end, said second end being releasably attachable to said orthopedic device and adapted to receive a portion of said orthopedic rod;

a pusher member;

a pistol grip fixedly attached to said body at said first end, and

a trigger coupled to said pusher member and said body,

wherein said trigger is operable to urge said orthopedic rod toward said orthopedic device when said trigger is displaced toward said pistol grip.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said trigger is pivotally hinged to said pusher member and said body.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein a portion of said trigger has a fixed distance between a first pivot point connecting said trigger to said body and a second pivot point connecting said trigger to said pusher member.

60. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said trigger includes a handle portion.

61. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said pusher member comprises a slide and a sleeve, and

wherein said slide has a first end and a second end, is pivotally coupled to said trigger at said first end, and is pivotally coupled to said sleeve at said second end.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein a portion of said sleeve defines a recess for accommodating said orthopedic rod.

63. The apparatus of claim 57, further comprising a set of fingers extending from said second end of said body for releasably gripping said orthopedic device.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein said set of fingers are elastic, and separable to receive and grip said orthopedic device therebetween.

65. The apparatus of claim 57, further comprising a cannula extending from said first end of said body to said second end of said body.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein said cannula is formed by channels in said body and said pusher member.

67. The apparatus of claim 57, further comprising a ratchet for controlling advancement of said pusher member.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein said ratchet is located at said first end of said body.

69. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein said ratchet is located at said pistol grip and cooperates with said trigger.