Spinal stabilization installation instrumentation and methods
AssigneeZimmer Spine, Inc.
InventorHugh D Hestad
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for installing a vertebral stabilization system. The system includes an installation tool including a handle portion and a shaft extending distally from the handle portion. The shaft includes a conduit and a staple mechanism. The system also includes a flexible implant member extending along the conduit configured to be advanced out from a distal end of the shaft, and a staple housed in the staple mechanism. The staple is configured to secure the flexible implant member to a vertebra. The handle portion is configured to selectively advance the flexible implant member from the shaft and to selectively actuate the staple mechanism.
Claims16
A vertebral stabilization installation tool comprising:
- a handle;
- an elongate shaft having a proximal end connected to the handle, the elongate shaft extending away from the handle along a longitudinal axis of the installation tool, the elongate shaft comprising:
- a conduit that directs a stabilization member through the elongate shaft from the proximal end toward a distal end, wherein the stabilization member is a flexible elongate member adapted to extend between anchors affixing the stabilization member to adjacent vertebrae;
- a ramp located at the distal end that receives the stabilizing member from the conduit and discharges the stabilizing member in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the installation tool;
- an anchoring mechanism connected to the distal end of the elongate shaft, the anchoring mechanism configured to discharge an anchor to secure the stabilizing member;
- a driver actuatable to discharge the anchor from the installation tool and drive the anchor into a vertebra;
- and
- a second conduit extending from the proximate end of the elongate shaft to the distal end, the second conduit configured to guide the driver and direct discharge of the anchor.
A vertebral stabilization installation tool comprising:
- a first handle;
- an elongate shaft having a proximal end connected to the first handle, the elongate shaft extending away from the first handle and terminating at a distal end, the elongate shaft comprising:
- a conduit that directs a stabilization member through the elongate shaft from the proximal end toward the distal end;
- and
- a ramp located at the distal end that receives the stabilizing member from the conduit and redirects the stabilizing member as the ramp discharges the stabilizing member;
- a second handle connected to the elongate shaft and spaced away from the first handle, the second handle actuatable to controllably advance the stabilizing member;
- and
- a cutter extending along the elongate shaft and operable to sever a portion of the stabilization member adjacent to the ramp.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.