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US 2026/0240572 A1Published application
System and methods for rod insertion using a screw tower
AssigneeGlobus Medical, Inc.
InventorRoss Morris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A screw tower that is a single-use instrument that attaches to existing screws but remains open along a rod slot to allow for screws to intermesh and prevent interference of adjacent screws during screw and rod insertion. The screw tower interfaces with existing features of the screws to facilitate screw insertion, rod insertion, rod reduction, and locking cap insertion in a percutaneous approach. The tower is broken in half and removed from patient to end with a completed construct.
Claims20
A screw tower, comprising:
- a first half and a second half each having a distal end and a proximal end, the two halves attached to each other at the distal end via a weakened breakpoint;
- a plurality of radially inwardly extending protrusions configured to engage the screw for attachment of the two halves to the screw;
- and
- an instrument insertion feature disposed at the proximal end,
- wherein the screw tower is injected molded with a polymer over a metallic insert that includes a screw attachment mechanism.
2 more elements
A method of fixating adjacent cervical vertebral bodies, said method comprising:
- implanting a screw into a pedicle through an incision, wherein the screw includes a head;
- securing a screw tower to the head of the screw, wherein the screw tower includes:
- a first half and a second half each having a distal end and a proximal end, the two halves attached to each other at the distal end via a plurality of weakened breakpoints;
- a feature set at the distal end configured to engage a head of a screw, wherein the feature set includes a plurality of protrusions each configured to engage the screw for attachment of the tower to the screw,
- wherein the screw tower is injected molded with a polymer over a metallic insert that includes a screw attachment mechanism;
- an instrument insertion feature disposed at the proximal end;
- inserting a rod through the secured screw tower and into the head of the screw;
- securing a locking cap to the screw through the secured screw tower;
- and
- breaking the first half and the second half apart at the breakpoints and removing them from the incision.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.