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US 12,251,142 B2Granted
Systems and methods for performing spine surgery
AssigneeNuVasive, Inc.
InventorsThomas Scholl, DJ Geiger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A digitizer pointer is provided as part of a system for correcting a curvature or deformity in a patient's spine based on the digitized locations of implanted screws and tracking the placement of the rod as it is placed in a minimally invasive fashion. The digitizer pointer includes an offset adjustment feature, a swivel feature, and a translation feature.
Claims13
A method comprising:
- making a digitizer pointer available for use;
- coupling a tracking array to the digitizer pointer;
- adjusting an offset feature of the digitizer pointer;
- adjusting a swivel feature the digitizer pointer;
- adjusting a translating feature of the digitize pointer;
- and
- digitizing, with the digitizer pointer, a location of a screw implanted in a patient, wherein the digitizer pointer includes:
- a first elongated element having:
- a proximal end comprising a first attacher;
- and
- a distal end comprising a recess;
- and
- a second elongated element defining a middle portion of the digitizer pointer and being linearly aligned with the first elongated element, wherein the second elongated element comprises:
- a proximal elongated shaft segment having:
- a proximal end comprising a cavity formed within the proximal end;
- and
- a retention element engaging the recess;
- a distal elongated shaft segment having a distal end comprising a second attacher;
- and
- a guide pin extending laterally away from the second elongated element.
17 more elements
A method comprising:
- making available for use a digitizing pointer that includes:
- a first component having a proximal end with a first attacher and a distal end defining a recess;
- and
- a second component linearly aligned with the first component and having:
- a proximal elongated shaft segment having a proximal end comprising a cavity formed within the proximal end and a retainer engaging the recess;
- a distal elongated shaft segment having a second attacher;
- and
- a guide pin extending laterally away from the second component;
- rotating the first component relative to the second component;
- coupling a tracking array to the first attacher;
- and
- digitizing, with the digitizer pointer, a location of a screw implanted in a patient using the second attacher.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.