Spine alignment system
OwnerJohn A. Heflininventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spine alignment system is disclosed. The spine alignment system includes a pedicle screw having a longitudinal axis, the pedicle screw having a screw head. The screw head includes a slot having a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw. An extension shaft is secured to the pedicle screw, such that a longitudinal axis of the extension shaft is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw. The spine alignment system also includes a cap having a slot that forms a substantially cylindrical passage with the slot of the pedicle screw head. The substantially cylindrical passage is configured to receive an alignment rod such that alignment of the spine occurs as the rod is translated along the extension shaft to the pedicle screw.
Claims43
A spine alignment system, comprising:
- a pedicle screw having a longitudinal axis, the pedicle screw having a screw head, wherein the screw head includes a slot having a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw;
- an extension shaft secured to the pedicle screw, such that a longitudinal axis of the extension shaft is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw;
- a cap having a through-hole configured to receive the extension shaft, the through-hole having a longitudinal axis, wherein the cap includes a slot having a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the through-hole, and wherein the slot of the screw head and the slot of the cap, together, form a substantially cylindrical passage configured to receive an alignment rod;
- and,
- a nut configured to receive the extension shaft and facilitate movement of the cap along the extension shaft.
A spine alignment system, comprising:
- a pedicle screw having a longitudinal axis, the pedicle screw having a screw head, wherein the screw head includes a slot having a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw;
- an extension shaft secured to the pedicle screw, such that a longitudinal axis of the extension shaft is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw, wherein the extension shaft also includes a head, wherein the head includes a slot having a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw;
- a cap having a through-hole configured to receive the extension shaft, the through-hole having a longitudinal axis, wherein the cap includes a slot having a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the through-hole, and wherein the slot of the head and the slot of the cap, together, form a substantially cylindrical passage configured to receive an alignment rod;
- and,
- a nut configured to receive the extension shaft and facilitate movement of the cap along the extension shaft.
A method of assembling a spine alignment system, comprising:
- securing a pedicle screw, having a head, to a bony pedicle of a vertebra;
- securing an extension shaft to a pedicle screw;
- engaging a cap about the extension shaft such that the cap can translate axially over a length of the extension shaft, the cap having a slot having a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the extension shaft when the cap is engaged with the extension shaft;
- capturing an alignment rod with the slot of the cap;
- incrementally translating the cap and alignment rod axially down the extension shaft;
- and,
- securing the alignment rod to the pedicle screw such that the alignment rod cannot be moved laterally with respect to the pedicle screw.
A method of assembling a spine alignment system, comprising:
- securing a pedicle screw, having a head, to a bony pedicle of a vertebra;
- securing an extension shaft to a pedicle screw;
- engaging an alignment rod with the extension shaft such that the alignment rod can translate over a length of the extension shaft,
- incrementally translating alignment rod axially down the extension shaft;
- and,
- securing the alignment rod to the pedicle screw such that the alignment rod cannot be moved laterally with respect to the pedicle screw.
A spine alignment system, comprising:
- a pedicle screw having a longitudinal axis, the pedicle screw having a screw head, wherein the screw head includes a slot having a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw;
- an extension shaft secured to the pedicle screw, such that a longitudinal axis of the extension shaft is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw, wherein the extension shaft is detachable from the pedicle screw;
- and
- an alignment rod configured to engage with the extension shaft such that the alignment rod is configured to translate axially along the extension shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.