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US 8,617,218 B2Granted
Bone anchor extenders
AssigneeWarsaw Orthoepdic, Inc.
InventorsJeff R Justis, Douglas D Kave
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one form, systems and methods for positioning a connecting member adjacent the spinal column include at least one anchor that is engageable to bony structure and has a receiver for receiving the connecting member. A pair of elongated members is engaged to the receiver and defines a pathway that extends proximally from the receiver. The connecting member is movable along the elongated members to the receiver of the bone anchor. The elongated members are removable from the receiver of the bone anchor after the connecting member is positioned in the receiver to provide a low profile anchor and connecting member assembly when finally implanted in the patient. However, other embodiments, forms and applications are also envisioned.
Claims20
A spinal surgical system, comprising:
- a connecting member including an elongated body having a length sized to extend between at least two vertebrae;
- a bone anchor including a distal bone engaging portion engageable to bony structure and a receiver extending proximally from said bone engaging portion, said receiver including a passage between opposite arms of said receiver with said passage opening at opposite sides of said arms of said receiver and with said passage further opening at a proximal end of said receiver;
- a pair of elongated members each extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and an opposite distal end, each of said elongated members having a locking member and an elongated body, said elongated body extending between said proximal and distal ends and including a bifurcated distal end portion extending from a proximal portion, said bifurcated distal end portion including a pair of engaging members flexibly movable relative to said proximal portion between a first configuration for receiving a respective one of said arms of said receiver and a second configuration for engaging with said respective one of said arms of said receiver, wherein said locking member extends through said proximal portion and is axially displaceable relative to said elongated body between a first position and a second position in engagement with each of said engaging members to retain said engaging members in said second configuration, wherein each of said engaging members includes a passage for receiving a portion of said locking member.
An anchor extender, comprising:
- an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and an opposite distal end, said elongated body including a proximal portion, a pair of engaging members extending distally from said proximal portion, and an internal passage extending through said proximal portion, said engaging members being movable relative to one another between a first configuration and a second anchor engaging configuration;
- an elongated pin axially displaceable relative to said elongated body, said elongated pin extending through said internal passage and along said longitudinal axis between a first end positioned proximal of said proximal end of said elongated body and a second end configured for engagement with said engaging members;
- and
- wherein said engaging members are moved from said first configuration to said second configuration upon distal displacement of said elongated pin relative to said elongated body, wherein a first one of said engaging members includes a first passage, a second passage, and an opening positioned between said first and second passages, a second one of said engaging members includes a projection extending transversely to said longitudinal axis, said projection including a third passage positionable in said opening when said engaging members are in said second configuration, and said elongated pin is positioned in said passages of said engaging members when said engaging members are in said second configuration.
1 more element
An anchor extender, comprising:
- an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and an opposite distal end, said elongated body including an electrically non-conductive external surface, a proximal portion and a pair of engaging members extending distally from said proximal portion, said engaging members being movably flexible relative to said proximal portion and cooperating to define an anchor engaging portion;
- an elongated pin positioned in and axially displaceable relative to said elongated body between a first position and a second position, said elongated pin comprised of an electrically conductive material and including a distal end engageable with said engaging members to retain said anchor engaging portion in an anchor engaging configuration when said elongated pin is in said second position;
- and
- a contact member comprised of an electrically conductive material and positioned on a first one of said engaging members in said anchor engaging portion;
- wherein said contact member is engaged by said distal end of said elongated pin when said elongated pin is in said second position to provide an electrically conductive pathway from said proximal end of said elongated body to said anchor engaging portion.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.