# US 11,026,733 B2 · Surgical system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,026,733 B2 - Document ID: US11026733B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/289,229 - Filed: 2019-02-28 - Published: 2020-09-03 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-02-28 - Assignees: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. - Applicants: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. - Inventors: Jason M. May - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026733B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7076: {for driving, positioning or assembling spinal clamps or bone anchors specially adapted for spinal fixation} - A61B 17/88: {Osteosynthesis instruments;} Methods or means for implanting or extracting internal {or external} fixation devices {(A61B17/7074 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/8605: {Heads, i.e. proximal ends projecting from bone} - A61B 17/863: {with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper} - A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A surgical instrument includes a first member defining a passageway. The first member includes a first lock and a second lock. A second member is positioned in the passageway. A third member is coupled to the second member. The second member is movable relative to the first member to move the third member between a first position in which the first lock is spaced a first distance apart from the second lock, and a second position in which the first lock is spaced a reduced second distance apart from the second lock. Systems, spinal implants and methods are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical instrument comprising: a first member defining a passageway, the first member comprising a first lock and a second lock; a second member positioned in the passageway, the second member comprising a lumen and a spring tab; a third member coupled to the second member; and a fourth member positioned in the lumen of the second member, the fourth member being movable relative to the second member between a first orientation in which the fourth member prevents the spring tab from deflecting inwardly and a second orientation in which the spring tab is allowed to deflect inwardly, wherein the second member is coupled to the third member and movable relative to the first member to move the third member between a first position in which the first lock is spaced a first distance apart from the second lock, and a second position in which the first lock is spaced a second distance apart from the second lock, the second distance being less than the first distance. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument recited in claim 1, wherein the third member translates axially along the first member as the third member moves between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument recited in claim 1, wherein the second member is coupled with the third member such that the third member translates with the second member as the second member translates relative to the first member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the locks comprises a spring tab. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument recited in claim 1, further comprising a fourth member and a link joining the fourth member to the second member, the fourth member being pivotable relative to the first member to move the third member from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument recited in claim 1, wherein the third member is prevented from moving from the first position to the second position when the fourth member is in the first orientation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument recited in claim 1, wherein the third member is movable between the first position and the second position when the fourth member is in the second orientation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument recited in claim 1, wherein a pin extends through the second member, the third member and the fourth member. ### Claim 9 A surgical instrument comprising: an inserter body comprising a shaft defining a passageway, the shaft comprising a first spring tab and a second spring tab; a pusher positioned in the passageway; and a sleeve coupled to the pusher, wherein the pusher is movable relative to the inserter body to move the sleeve between a first position in which the first spring tab is spaced a first distance apart from the second spring tab, and a second position in which the first spring tab is spaced a reduced second distance apart from the second spring tab. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The surgical instrument recited in claim 9, further comprising a handle coupled to the pusher by a link, the handle being pivotable relative to the inserter body to move the sleeve from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The surgical instrument recited in claim 9, further comprising a plunger positioned in a lumen of the pusher, the plunger being movable relative to the pusher between a first orientation in which the plunger prevents a spring tab of the pusher from deflecting inwardly and a second orientation in which the spring tab of the pusher is allowed to deflect inwardly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The surgical instrument recited in claim 11, wherein the sleeve is prevented from moving from the first position to the second position when the plunger is in the first orientation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The surgical instrument recited in claim 11, wherein the sleeve is movable between the first position and the second position when the plunger is in the second orientation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The surgical instrument recited in claim 11, wherein a pin extends through the pusher, the sleeve and the plunger. ### Claim 15 A surgical system comprising: a surgical instrument comprising: a first member defining a passageway, the first member comprising a first lock and a second lock, a second member positioned in the passageway, the second member comprising a lumen and a spring tab, a third member coupled to the second member, and a fourth member positioned in the lumen of the second member, the fourth member being movable relative to the second member between a first orientation in which the fourth member prevents the spring tab from deflecting inwardly and a second orientation in which the spring tab is allowed to deflect inwardly; and an implant comprising a head, wherein the second member is movable relative to the first member to move the third member between a first position in which the first lock is spaced a first distance apart from the second lock to allow the head to be inserted into the passageway, and a second position in which the lock is spaced a reduced second distance apart from the second lock such that the locks engage the head within the passageway to fix the head relative to the shaft. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The surgical system recited in claim 15, wherein the second member is movable relative to the first member to move the third member between the second position and a third position in which the lock is spaced a third distance apart from the second lock, the third distance being less than the second distance. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The surgical system recited in claim 15, wherein the third member is disposed at a first location along the first member when the third member is in the first position and is disposed at a second location along the first member when the third member is in the second position, the second location being distal to the first location. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The surgical system recited in claim 15, further comprising a fourth member and a link joining the fourth member to the second member, the fourth member being pivotable relative to the first member to move the third member from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The surgical system recited in claim 15, wherein the head includes spaced apart arms, the arms defining an implant cavity therebetween, the locks each engaging one of the arms when the third member is in the second position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The surgical system recited in claim 15, wherein the third member translates axially along the first member as the third member moves between the first position and the second position.