Abstract:
The present invention provides a compression and distraction shaft assembly used to apply compression and distraction to bones including vertebrae. Shaft A assembly (20) and shaft B assembly (22) are attached together via a polyaxial fulcrum (38). The polyaxial fulcrum (38) allows all rotational degrees of freedom between shaft A assembly (20) and shaft B assembly (22) - Such fulcrum, during compression and distraction, does not impart ancillary stresses or motion to vertebrae. A hour glass shaped bore (54) for engaging pliers is formed in approximately middle of both the shaft A assembly (20) and the shaft B assembly (22). A distraction pliers (60) having cylindrical tips (70, 90) is used to apply distraction to vertebrae. Once handles (62, 64) are pressed to impart appropriate amount of distraction to the vertebrae they are locked in this position. A compression pliers (110) having cylindrical tips (120, 150) is used to apply compression to vertebrae. Once handles (112, 114) are pressed to impart appropriate amount of compression to the vertebrae they are locked in this position.
Abstract:
Pedicle screws are designed to provide polyaxial coupling to pedicles of a vertebra. Intermediate pieces (80) are attached to the pedicles screws (140, 142, 148) and receive extender shafts (180A, 182A, 188A). Extenders (180A, 182A, 188A) are inserted in the intermediate pieces (80). The extenders (180A, 182A, 188A) project the anatomic points located in the cages (152) outside the patient's body to facilitate proper contouring of a rod. An alignment linkage (310) is used to ensure that the extenders (180A, 182A, 188A) are parallel to each other. The alignment linkage (310) includes a linkage frame (312), an articulating linkage (314) and a locking member (316). The articulating linkage (314) has all rotational degrees of freedom and thereby adapts to any varying trajectories of the extenders and distance between the extenders. The alignment linkage (310) includes a locking member (316) with a pop-up indicator. The pop-up indicator notifies the users when the locking member (316) is tightened with two of the extenders in non-parallel configuration.
Abstract:
A posterior spinal fusion system may include a plurality of cannulas (142, 262, 272) that mate with connecting elements (140) having cages (152) polyaxially coupled to pedicle screws (150, 260, 270) . The cannulas (142, 262, 272) maintain access to the pedicle screws (150, 260, 270) to facilitate percutaneous insertion of a fusion rod (316) into engagement with the cages (152) . Each cannula (142, 262, 272) has a pair of blades (194, 196) that may be held together by an abutment member (144, 264, 274) . Each abutment member (144, 264, 274) is configured to abut the skin to define a variable subcutaneous length of the corresponding cannula (142, 262, 272) . Each abutment member (144, 264, 274) is also lockably removable from the corresponding blades (194, 196) to enable the blades to pivot with respect to the connecting element (140) to a position in which they can be withdrawn from the connecting element. The blades (194, 196) of each cannula are spaced apart to provide first and second slots (220) of each cannula, through which the fusion rod (316) can be percutaneously inserted.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for advancement of a spinal rod in a spinal implant, wherein the apparatus includes a body and a handle (1) attached to the body. A shaft (7) is slidably attached to the body, the shaft (7) is coupled to the handle and has a first end adapted to engage the spinal rod. At least one retractor blade (33) is attached to the body and the spinal implant. The operation of the handle results in the shaft (7) persuading the spinal rod in the spinal implant. The force exerted by the shaft (7) on the spinal rod is limited to a pre-selected force. The apparatus can also be operated in a non-limiting mode when a reduction retractor blade (33) is used.
Abstract:
Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders (180, 182, 188). The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is positioned proximate the anatomic points using a slotted cannula (143). Such an implant may be a rod (270) for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders (180, 182, 188) may have rod interfaces (214, 216, 218) that receive the rod (270) in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148) so that the selected or configured contoured rod (270) will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws (140, 142, 148).
Abstract:
An implantable bone anchor assembly for fixing an elongated member such as a spinal rod may include a bone anchor, a coupling head configured to receive the bone anchor and the elongated member, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may provide compressive force to simultaneously fix the position of the elongated member and lock out polyaxial rotation of the bone anchor relative to the coupling head. The locking mechanism may include an engagement member with an oblique surface configured to slide along an oblique surface of the coupling head into engagement with the elongated member. The bone anchor may comprise a head portion and a threaded portion which may be coupled with the coupling head and joined together during manufacture. The assembly may further include a pin and/or a collar to retain the bone anchor. The bone anchor may be side-loaded into the coupling head.
Abstract:
Knee prosthesis instrumentation including an insertion tool and a removal tool. The insertion tool may include an offset to provide clearance from a femoral component of the knee prosthesis. The removal tool may be wedge shaped to at least partially encircle a post of the knee prosthesis for removal. A mallet may be used with the instruments to provide additional force for prosthesis insertion or removal. A slide hammer may be incorporated into the instruments themselves.
Abstract:
A system for spinal surgery includes a prosthesis comprising a plurality of bone anchors which engage an intervertebral construct for fusion or motion preservation. The fusion construct comprises a spacer optionally encircled by a jacket. The motion preservation construct may comprise an articulating disc assembly or an elastomeric disc assembly. Any of the constructs may occupy the intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebrae after removal of an intervertebral disc. The anchors slidingly engage the construct to securely fix the prosthesis to the vertebrae. The anchors and jacket of the fusion construct provide a continuous load path across opposite sides of the prosthesis so as to resist antagonistic motions of the spine.
Abstract:
A system for accessing a spine from a curved postero-lateral approach may include a curved cannula positioned along a curved path from an opening in the skin to a location proximate the spine. The location may be at the L4-L5 vertebral level, and the curved path may lie in a plane oblique to the transverse, coronal and sagittal planes of the spine, and avoid the iliac crest. A targeting post may be inserted adjacent the spine to determine the location, and a guide member may be inserted to establish the curved path. A micrometer assembly may adjust a cephalad-caudal displacement between the post and the guide member. One or more intermediate cannulas may be inserted over the guide member to dilate tissues prior to insertion of the main cannula. An interbody device may be implanted into an intervertebral space through the cannula.
Abstract:
A surgical instrument (700) and method are provided for removal of a spinal implant (170) from the intervertebral disc space. The instrument (700) includes a carriage body (710) for interfacing with the implant (170), a housing (740) for interfacing with the vertebrae, and a handle portion (770) having a first portion (772) rotatably coupled with a proximal end (744) of the housing (740) and a second portion (774) rotatably engageable with a proximal attachment portion (714) of the carriage body (710). A central passage (746) of the housing (740) extends between the proximal end (744) and a distal engagement surface (742) of the housing (740). The central passage (746) is dimensioned to mate with the carriage body (710). Rotation of the handle portion (770) about an axis causes translational movement of the carriage body (710) along the axis. A modular inserter/distractor apparatus (200) and method and an anchor remover (400) and method are also provided.