Instruments for Minimally Invasive Stabilization of Bony Structures
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsJeff R. Justis, Jonathan M. Dewey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems for positioning a connecting element adjacent the spinal column in minimally invasive procedures include installation instruments that guide the connecting element from a location remote from one or more anchors to a location proximate to the one or more anchors. The installation instruments include extensions mountable to anchors engageable to the spinal column or other bony structure, and inserters mountable to the anchor extensions for positioning the connecting element adjacent the anchors.
Claims27
A system for minimally invasive surgical procedures in a patient, comprising:
- a number of anchor extensions each including an elongated body extending between a distal end and a proximal end, said body having a length wherein when said distal end is mounted to at least one anchor engaged to bony structure of the patient said proximal end is located outside the patient;
- an installation instrument including first and second support arms each including an outer engaging end, said first and second support arms each extending from said engaging end to a common junction portion, said installation instrument further including an inserter arm extending from said junction portion transversely to said first and second support arms, wherein at least one of said first and second support arms includes a pivot end pivotally coupled with a coupling portion of said installation instrument located adjacent to said junction portion and said at least one of said first and second support arms is pivotable about said pivot end at said coupling portion to adjust a spacing between said engaging ends of said support arms to receive and engage opposing sides of said number of anchor extensions adjacent said proximal end;
- and
- a connecting element for implantation in the body of the patient engaged to said inserter arm.
10-22. (canceled)
A surgical system, comprising:
- an anchor including a bone engaging portion and a connecting element engaging portion;
- an extension releasably engageable to said connecting element receiving portion, said extension extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising:
- a first elongate member along the longitudinal axis including a pair of distal fingers engageable to said connecting element engaging portion;
- a second elongate member along the longitudinal axis adjacent to said first member, said second member being moveable distally relative to said first member from a first position wherein said fingers are movable to receive and release said connecting element engaging portion therebetween and a second position wherein said second member engages said fingers in clamping engagement with said connecting element engaging portion;
- and
- a toggle mechanism coupled between said first and second members, said toggle mechanism structured to move along the longitudinal axis between a locked position at a first location along the longitudinal axis wherein said toggle mechanism locks said second member in said second position relative to said first member and an unlocked position at a second location along the longitudinal axis spaced from said first location wherein said toggle mechanism is disengaged from said first member and said second member is movable longitudinally relative to said first member between said first and second positions.
A system for implanting a connecting element in a patient, comprising:
- a number of anchor extensions connectable to corresponding bone anchors,
- an installation instrument, comprising:
- a mounting portion configured to engage at least one anchor extension,
- an inserter arm connected to the mounting portion, and
- an actuating member operable to move a latch member within a housing between a latched and an unlatched position to secure the connecting element to the inserter arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.