# US 2014/0155941 A1 · Instruments and methods for stabilization of bony structures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155941 A1 - Document ID: US20140155941A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/175,021 - Filed: 2014-02-07 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 1999-10-20 - Assignees: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. - Applicants: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. - Inventors: Kevin T. Foley; Michael C. Sherman; Jeff A. Justis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155941A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/7086: {Rod reducers, i.e. devices providing a mechanical advantage to allow a user to force a rod into or onto an anchor head other than by means of a rod-to-bone anchor locking element; rod removers} - A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/1671: {for the spine} - A61B 17/7038: {to a different extent in different directions, e.g. within one plane only} - A61B 17/7089: {wherein insertion is along an arcuate path} - A61B 17/88: {Osteosynthesis instruments;} Methods or means for implanting or extracting internal {or external} fixation devices {(A61B17/7074 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/8872: {Instruments for putting said fixation devices against or away from the bone (A61B17/7074, A61B17/808 take precedence)} - A61B 17/8897: {Guide wires or guide pins} - A61B 17/90: Guides therefor - A61B 2017/681: {Alignment, compression, or distraction mechanisms} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract The present invention relates to a brace installation instrument placement that is mounted to anchors secured in an animal subject. The installation instrument includes anchor extensions coupled to the anchors. The instrument is movable with respect to the anchors to position a brace in a position more proximate the anchors. The brace can be indexed for insertion at a predetermined orientation with respect to the installation instrument. Methods and techniques for using the installation instrument are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-117. (canceled) ### Claim 118 A minimally invasive surgical system, comprising: at least a pair of anchors for engaging a bony structure of a patient, each anchor having a passageway; at least a first and a second anchor extension, each extension having a distal end mounted to at least one anchor; a brace positionable within the patient, the brace having a longitudinal axis; and an inserter in contact with the brace, the inserter operable to percutaneously position the brace so that the longitudinal axis of the brace is inserted into the passageways of the anchors. ### Claim 119 (depends on 118) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 118, wherein the inserter is movable along a predetermined path and the brace is indexed for orientation along the path. ### Claim 120 (depends on 118) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 118, wherein the brace has a leading end adapted for percutaneous insertion. ### Claim 121 (depends on 118) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 118, wherein: the brace comprises an internal bore; and the inserter comprises a coupling portion disposed within the internal bore. ### Claim 122 (depends on 121) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 121, wherein the coupling portion is coaxial with the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 123 (depends on 121) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 121, wherein the internal bore comprises a thread that mates with a thread on the coupling portion to releasably couple the inserter with the brace. ### Claim 124 (depends on 118) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 118, wherein the anchors are cannulated screws. ### Claim 125 (depends on 118) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 118, wherein the anchors each comprise a receiver having a respective one of the passageways extending therethrough and a threaded bone engaging portion that is rotatable relative to the receiver. ### Claim 126 (depends on 125) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 125, wherein the passageways are U-shaped and the brace has a cylindrical cross sectional configuration. ### Claim 127 (depends on 118) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 118, wherein: the first anchor extension is pivotable relative to a body of the inserter about a first pivot axis; and the second anchor extension is pivotable relative to the body about a second pivot axis that is offset from the first pivot axis. ### Claim 128 (depends on 118) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 118, wherein a planar end face of the inserter engages a planar side surface of one of the anchors when the brace is positioned within the passageways such that the planar side surface prevents movement of the inserter in an axial direction. ### Claim 129 (depends on 118) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 118, further comprising a guide mechanism operable to control relative movement of the brace along a predetermined path relative to the pair of anchors. ### Claim 130 (depends on 118) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 118, wherein: at least one of the first and second anchor extensions comprises a proximal end including a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening; and a pair of pins extend from a body of the inserter, the pins being positioned in the first and second openings to allow at least one of the first and second anchor extensions to pivot relative to the body about the pins. ### Claim 131 A minimally invasive surgical system, comprising: a pair of anchors for engaging a bony structure of a patient, each anchor having a passageway; first and second anchor extensions, each extension having a distal end coupled to one of the anchors; a brace positionable within the patient, the brace having a longitudinal axis; and an inserter in contact with the brace, the inserter operable to percutaneously position the brace into a position more proximate to the anchors, wherein the first and second anchor extensions are each pivotable relative to a body of the inserter such that the first and second anchor extensions are movable between a first orientation in which the first anchor extension is parallel with the second anchor extension and a second orientation in which the first anchor extension is not parallel with the second anchor extension. ### Claim 132 (depends on 131) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 131, wherein the inserter is movable in a fixed geometrical relationship with respect to the anchors. ### Claim 133 (depends on 131) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 131, wherein: the inserter is movable along a predetermined path to percutaneously position the brace into the passageways; and the brace is indexed for orientation along the path. ### Claim 134 (depends on 131) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 131, wherein the brace is releasably coupled to a distal end of the inserter. ### Claim 135 A minimally invasive surgical system, comprising: at least a pair of anchors for engaging a bony structure of a patient, each anchor having a passageway; at least a first and a second anchor extension, each extension having a distal end mounted to at least one anchor; a brace positionable within the patient, the brace having a longitudinal axis; and an inserter in contact with the brace, the inserter operable to percutaneously position the brace so that the brace is positioned within the passageways, the inserter comprising a pair of spaced apart arms defining an aperture therebetween, wherein the first and second anchor extensions are positioned in the aperture such that a side surface of the first anchor extension engages a side surface of the second anchor extension. ### Claim 136 (depends on 135) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 135, wherein the first and second anchor extensions are pivotable relative to one another. ### Claim 137 (depends on 135) A minimally invasive surgical system as recited in claim 135, wherein the inserter is coupled to the brace along the longitudinal axis.