Pedicle screw with reverse spiral cut and methods thereof

A method of inserting a fixation device into a bone, the method comprising:

• mating a drive component to a head of a fixation device, the fixation device comprising an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, said elongated body including an outer surface adapted to penetrate and anchor within a bone, wherein the outer surface of the elongated body comprises threads extending from the outer surface in a first direction, and further wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the elongated body comprises a reverse spiral cut into the outer surface in a second direction;
• rotating the drive component in a first rotational direction with rotational torque, thereby driving the fixation device into the bone, wherein a diameter of the elongated body is reduced under the rotational torque;
• and
• removing the drive component from the head of the fixation device after the fixation device has been driven to its desired location in the bone, wherein the diameter of the elongated body is expands when the rotational torque is removed.

A fixation device comprising:

• an elongated body having proximal and distal ends and a hollow shaft extending therebetween, said elongated body including an outer surface adapted to penetrate and anchor within a bone;
• a head affixed to the distal end of the elongated body and adapted to mate with a drive component;
• wherein the outer surface of the elongated body comprises threads extending from the outer surface in a first direction;
• wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the elongated body comprises a reverse spiral cut into the outer surface in a second direction;
• and
• wherein the fixation device is operable to be received about a flexible guide wire inserted through the hollow shaft.

A method of inserting a fixation device into a bone, the method comprising:

• drilling a curved pilot hole into the bone;
• inserting a flexible guide wire into the curved pilot hole;
• mating a drive component with a head of a fixation device, the fixation device comprising an elongated body having proximal and distal ends and a hollow shaft extending therebetween, said elongated body including an outer surface adapted to penetrate and anchor within a bone, wherein the outer surface of the elongated body comprises threads extending from the outer surface in a first direction, and further wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the elongated body comprises a reverse spiral cut into the outer surface in a second direction;
• receiving the fixation device about the flexible guide wire inserted through the hollow shaft and into the curved pilot hole;
• rotating the drive component in a first rotational direction with rotational torque, thereby driving the fixation device into the bone, wherein a diameter of the elongated body is reduced under the rotational torque;
• removing the drive component from the head of the fixation device after the fixation device has been driven to its desired location in the bone, wherein the diameter of the elongated body is operable to expand when the rotational torque is removed;
• and
• removing the flexible guide wire from the fixation device.