Apparatus and methods for reduction of vertebral bodies in a spine
AssigneeZimmer Spine, Inc.
InventorMatthew E Seelig
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for reduction of vertebral bodies (or vertebrae) in various embodiments includes a reducer, and extender, and a hollow tube. The reducer couples to the extender, which in turn couples to an elongated member, such as a rod, and to a bone fastener assembly. The reducer allows reduction of the vertebral body incrementally, and by a desired amount. The reducer may include or may be used in conjunction with a holding device or holder in order to hold or keep the amount of reduction constant or steady once the desired amount of reduction has been obtained. The reducer may use one of several embodiments, including embodiments that use threaded assemblies or members, inclining members or wedges, offset cams, scissor jacks, and/or levers.
Claims21
A method for reducing a rod into a rod receiving recess in a head of a bone fastener, the method comprising:
- positioning the rod adjacent the rod receiving recess of the bone fastener;
- coupling a rod reducing apparatus to the head of the bone fastener, over the rod, the rod reducing apparatus comprising:
- an extender configured to detachably couple to the head of the bone fastener, the extender including openings to receive the rod;
- a tube configured to slide over the extender to engage the rod;
- and
- a reducer mechanism including a first member and a second member mechanically coupled to each other to push down on the tube and pull up on the extender;
- and
- operating the reducer mechanism to move the rod into the rod receiving recess in the bone fastener.
A method of reducing a vertebra in a spine, the method comprising:
- engaging a reducer apparatus with a bone anchor attached to the vertebra, the reducer apparatus having a first member and a second member slidably disposed outside of the first member;
- moving incrementally the first member with respect to the second member, wherein the first member is releasably coupled to the vertebra through the bone anchor and the second member is engagable with a rod positioned proximate the bone anchor;
- positioning the rod within a recess of the bone anchor via moving incrementally the first member with respect to the second member with the reducer apparatus;
- and
- inserting a driver through the first member and the second member to secure the rod to the bone anchor.
A method for reducing a rod in a bone anchor;
- the method comprising:
- positioning a rod proximate a rod receiving recess of a head of a fastener of the bone anchor;
- attaching a head extender to the head of the fastener with the rod positioned between the head of the fastener and the extender, the head extender forming an elongate extension of the rod receiving recess;
- sliding a tube over the extender;
- operating an engagement mechanism to couple a reducer mechanism to the extender;
- and
- operating the reducer mechanism to pull the extender along the tube to draw the rod receiving recess of the head of the fastener around the rod.
The method 16, further comprising:
- coupling a closure member to a tip of a driver;
- inserting the closure member and the tip of the driver through the tube and the head extender;
- and
- attaching the closure member to the head of the fastener to secure the rod in the head of the bone anchor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.