Occipital fixation assembly, system and method for attaching the same

An occipital fixation system, comprising:

• an occipital fixation assembly, including:
• a first mounting plate configured for placement within a sinus cavity adjacent a rear portion of a skull of a patient, the first mounting plate having a threaded post extending therefrom;
• a coupling member including an aperture configured to receive the threaded post therethrough, the coupling member including an offset extension disposed in parallel orientation with respect to the threaded post and configured to support a surgical rod thereon;
• a fixation nut configured to threadably engage the threaded post, the fixation nut rotatable about the threaded post and translatable therealong, the fixation nut rotatable with respect to the first mounting plate and the coupling member such that rotation of the fixation nut in a predetermined direction brings the first mounting plate and the coupling member toward one another and into secured engagement with the skull of a patient;
• a forceps configured to grasp a portion of the threaded post to facilitate positioning the first mounting plate through an aperture that has been previously drilled in the sinus cavity;
• and
• a wrench assembly configured to engage and, subsequently, rotate the fixation nut about the threaded post.

A method for attaching an occipital fixation assembly for subsequent attachment of a surgical rod thereon, comprising:

• creating an aperture within a sinus cavity adjacent a rear portion of a skull of a patient;
• positioning a first mounting plate of an occipital fixation assembly through the aperture created within the sinus cavity;
• attaching a coupling member of the occipital fixation assembly to the threaded post of the first mounting plate;
• positioning a fixation nut about the threaded post and, subsequently, rotating the fixation nut in a predetermined direction thereabout such that the first mounting plate and the coupling member move toward one another and into secured engagement with the skull of a patient;
• and
• coupling a surgical rod to the coupling member.