System and method for orthopedic implant configuration
AssigneeStryker European Operations Holdings LLC
InventorT. Wade Fallin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Anatomic points within the body are projected outside the body through the use of extenders. The projected points may then be used for measurement, or to facilitate the selection or configuration of an implant that is to be positioned proximate the anatomic points. Such an implant may be a rod for a posterior spinal fusion system. Pedicle screws may be implanted into pedicles of the spine, and may then serve as anchors for the extenders. The extenders may have rod interfaces that receive the rod in a manner that mimics the geometry of the pedicle screws so that the selected or configured contoured rod will properly fit into engagement with the pedicle screws.
Claims19
A surgical method, comprising:
- positioning a plurality of pedicle screws and associated passageway devices in a body of a patient, such that each pedicle screw is implanted in a pedicle of the spine of the patient adjacent a respective anatomic point, with each passageway device being attached to a respective pedicle screw such that each passageway device defines a longitudinal passageway through body tissue of the patient, each longitudinal passageway communicating with the respective pedicle screw and extending proximally therefrom;
- positioning an extender within each of the passageways of the plurality of passageway devices, such that a proximal portion of the extender extends out of the body and provides a spatial transformation of an associated one of the anatomic points to a location of a respective projected point defined by the proximal portion, such that the projected points indicate the relative positions of the respective implanted pedicle screws with respect to one another;
- and
- configuring or selecting one or more implants based on the locations of the plurality of projected points, such that the one or more implants are positionable in an implanted position engaged with each of the plurality of implanted pedicle screws.
A surgical method, comprising:
- positioning a distal portion of a first extender proximate a first anatomic point within a body of a patient, through which one or more implants are to pass in an implanted position, the first extender having a proximal portion projecting outside the body above a skin surface of the patient when positioned;
- positioning a distal portion of a second extender proximate a second anatomic point within the body, through which the one or more implants are to pass in the implanted position, the second extender having a proximal portion projecting outside the body above the skin surface of the patient when positioned;
- deforming a rod such that the deformed rod is positionable in a projected position extending along the proximal portions of the first and second extenders;
- and
- positioning the deformed rod in the projected position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.