US 2011/0218581 A1 · SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURES

Abstract

One nonlimiting embodiment of the present application is directed to a system for positioning a connecting element adjacent one or more bones or bony portions, such as the spinal column, through a minimally invasive surgical approach. The system generally includes a number of bone anchors engageable to the one or more bones or bony portions and a number of anchor extenders removably engaged to the bone anchors. A connecting element inserter instrument is engageable with one of the anchor extenders and is movable along a longitudinal axis of the anchor extender. As the inserter instrument is moved along the longitudinal axis toward the bone anchors, a leading end of the connecting element is rotated away from the longitudinal axis and the connecting element is positioned at a location adjacent the number of bone anchors in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. However, in other embodiments, different forms and applications are envisioned.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A system for minimally invasive surgery, comprising:

at least one bone anchor including a distal bone engaging portion and a proximal receiving portion;
at least one anchor extender extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to releasably engage with said at least one bone anchor, said at least one anchor extender including a proximally facing bearing surface;
an inserter instrument including a connecting element engaging member and being engageable with said at least one anchor extender and movable toward said distal end portion;
and
wherein a portion of said inserter instrument contacts said bearing surface as said inserter instrument is distally moved toward said distal end portion and an orientation of said connecting element engaging member relative to said longitudinal axis changes in response to said portion of said inserter instrument contacting said bearing surface.

2 more elements

A system for minimally invasive surgery, comprising:

a first bone anchor and a second bone anchor, each of said first and second bone anchors including a distal bone engaging portion and a proximal receiving portion;
a first anchor extender extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to releasably engage with said first bone anchor;
a second anchor extender extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to releasably engage with said second bone anchor;
an inserter instrument engageable with said first anchor extender and movable toward said distal end portion of said first bone anchor to position a connecting element toward said proximal receiving portions of said first and second bone anchors;
a reduction instrument including a housing member releasably engageable with said proximal end portion of said second anchor extender, and an elongated shaft axially displaceable relative to said housing member and said second anchor extender;
and
wherein a leading end of said connecting element is rotated away from said longitudinal axis of said first anchor extender as said inserter instrument is distally moved toward said distal end of said first anchor extender.

4 more elements

An anchor extender, comprising:

an elongated body extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
a first pair of engaging members pivotably coupled with said elongated body adjacent said distal end portion, said first pair of engaging members being movable between a first configuration for receiving and releasing a first portion of a bone anchor and a second configuration for engaging said first portion of said bone anchor;
a second pair of engaging members pivotably coupled with said elongated body adjacent said distal end portion and opposite of said first pair of engaging members, said second pair of engaging members being movable between a first configuration for receiving and releasing a second portion of said bone anchor and a second configuration for engaging said second portion of said bone anchor;
and
a locking mechanism axially displaceable relative to said elongated body, wherein said locking mechanism is configured to lock said first and second pairs of engaging members in said second configuration.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for minimally invasive surgical procedures

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for minimally invasive surgical procedures

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24