Minimally invasive spinal fixation guide systems and methods
AssigneeDePuy Spine, Inc.
InventorsSteven Ludwig, David Greg Anderson, Michael Carl Michielli, Philip Cormier, Nicholas J. Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and devices for implanting spinal fixation implants and devices are provided. In one embodiment, a method for implanting a spinal fixation system is provided and it includes the steps of positioning a spinal fixation element to extend along a patient's spinal column adjacent to one or more vertebrae, determining an implant site on at least one vertebra, implanting at least one spinal anchor at the implant site on at least one vertebra, and coupling the spinal fixation element to each implant.
Claims31
A method for implanting a spinal fixation system, comprising:
- positioning a spinal fixation element within a patient's body to extend along a patient's spinal column adjacent to a plurality of vertebrae prior to implanting any spinal anchors;
- positioning at least one targeting member outside the patient's body and relative to a target implant site on a vertebra, the at least one targeting member being movably disposed on a support rod that is spaced a distance apart from and extends substantially parallel to the spinal fixation element;
- aligning the at least one targeting member relative to the target implant site using an imaging device to determine an implant site on at least one vertebra proximate to the spinal fixation element after positioning the spinal fixation element to extend along a patient's spinal column adjacent to a plurality of vertebrae;
- implanting at least one spinal anchor at the implant site on at least one vertebra;
- and
- coupling the spinal fixation element to the at least one spinal anchor wherein coupling the spinal fixation element to the at least one spinal anchor comprises approximating the spinal fixation element toward the spinal anchor;
- wherein approximating the spinal fixation element toward the at least one spinal anchor comprises engaging the spinal fixation element and the spinal anchor with a grasping tool to pull the spinal fixation element toward the spinal anchor.
A surgical method, comprising:
- inserting a spinal rod through a first incision to position the spinal rod adjacent to a plurality of vertebrae in a patient's spinal column prior to placing any anchor into any of the plurality of vertebrae;
- coupling the spinal rod to a rod-engaging member on a guide system, the guide system having a guide portion positioned outside of a body of the patient and extending substantially parallel to the patient's spinal column at a distance spaced apart from the spinal rod;
- subsequently imaging at least one targeting member on the guide portion to determine an implant site on each vertebra proximate to the spinal rod, wherein the spinal rod is positioned adjacent to the plurality of vertebrae in the patient's spinal column during imaging;
- making a percutaneous incision at the implant site on each vertebra;
- creating a pathway from the percutaneous incision to the implant site on each vertebra;
- placing an anchor through each pathway to implant the anchor in each vertebra;
- coupling the spinal rod to the anchors;
- and
- locking the spinal rod to each anchor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.