US6746449B2 — Spinal rod translation instrument

Claim 1

Independent Claim 87 words

An instrument for reducing a rod to a fixation element, comprising: an arm configured to engage the rod, the arm having a guide and a rod engager; positioners configured to slidably couple the instrument to the fixation element; and wherein the guide is configured to engage a protrusion extending from the fixation element so that the arm moves the rod into an opening in the fixation element when the protrusion extending from the fixation element traces at least a portion of a pathway defined by the guide.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 87 words

An instrument for reducing a rod to a fixation element, comprising: an arm configured to engage the rod, the arm having a guide and a rod engager; positioners configured to slidably couple the instrument to the fixation element; and wherein the guide is configured to engage a protrusion extending from the fixation element so that the arm moves the rod into an opening in the fixation element when the protrusion extending from the fixation element traces at least a portion of a pathway defined by the guide.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 14 words

The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the arm moves along an arced path.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the guide comprises a channel in the arm.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the positioners are configured to prevent the holder from rotating in the positioners and to allow the holder to slide through the positioners during use.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the rod engager comprises an arcuate portion that has a radius of curvature that substantially matches a radius of the rod.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the instrument further comprises two grips, and wherein movement of the grips relative to each other moves the arm.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 16 words

The instrument of claim 6 , wherein the two grips are pivotally connected to the arm.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the instrument further comprises a spring member that biases the arm to an initial position.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 24 words

The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the instrument further comprises a retainer configured to inhibit return of the arm to an initial position.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 95 words

A bone translation system, comprising: a holder configured to couple to a fixation element during use, wherein the holder comprises a protrusion and wherein the fixation element is configured to couple to a first bone; a connector coupled to the fixation element; an instrument configured to move a rod coupled to a second bone into the connector, the instrument comprising: positioners configured to couple the holder to the instrument; an arm configured to engage the spinal rod during use; and a guide on the arm, the guide configured to engage the protrusion of the holder.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 95 words

A bone translation system, comprising: a holder configured to couple to a fixation element during use, wherein the holder comprises a protrusion and wherein the fixation element is configured to couple to a first bone; a connector coupled to the fixation element; an instrument configured to move a rod coupled to a second bone into the connector, the instrument comprising: positioners configured to couple the holder to the instrument; an arm configured to engage the spinal rod during use; and a guide on the arm, the guide configured to engage the protrusion of the holder.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 10 , wherein the arm comprises a rod engager configured to couple to the rod.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system of claim 10 , wherein the arm travels an arced path during translation.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 10 , wherein the protrusion on the holder is configured to advance along the guide during use.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 10 , wherein the positioners are configured to allow the holder to axially move.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 14 words

The system of claim 10 , wherein the fixation element is a bone screw.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 10 , wherein the fixation element is a hook.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 132 words

An instrument for reducing a spinal rod to a spinal fixation element, comprising: positioners to engage a fixation element holder, wherein the positioners are configured to prevent the holder from rotating freely within the positioners during use; an arm configured to engage the spinal rod during use, the arm comprising a guide; two grips; biasing members configured to force the grips to an initial position; and a retainer configured to maintain a partially reduced offset between the spinal rod and the spinal rod connector; wherein moving the two grips towards each other moves the arm toward the holder, and wherein the guide on the arm has a length configured to contact a protrusion on the holder to align the spinal rod to a connector coupled to the spinal fixation element during use.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 132 words

An instrument for reducing a spinal rod to a spinal fixation element, comprising: positioners to engage a fixation element holder, wherein the positioners are configured to prevent the holder from rotating freely within the positioners during use; an arm configured to engage the spinal rod during use, the arm comprising a guide; two grips; biasing members configured to force the grips to an initial position; and a retainer configured to maintain a partially reduced offset between the spinal rod and the spinal rod connector; wherein moving the two grips towards each other moves the arm toward the holder, and wherein the guide on the arm has a length configured to contact a protrusion on the holder to align the spinal rod to a connector coupled to the spinal fixation element during use.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 21 words

The instrument of claim 17 , wherein the arm comprises a void or hook to engage the spinal rod during use.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 27 words

The instrument of claim 17 , wherein the instrument is configured to reduce the spinal rod to the spinal rod connector in an arcuate direction during use.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 30 words

The instrument of claim 17 , wherein the guide comprises a surface configured to engage the protrusion on the holder to abut the spinal rod with the connector during use.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 23 words

The instrument of claim 17 , wherein the positioners are configured to allow the holder to slidably advance through the positioners during use.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 27 words

The instrument of claim 17 , wherein the spinal fixation element is configured to attach to a vertebra by a hook, a clamp, or a threaded region.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 13 words

The instrument of claim 17 , wherein the two grips are pivotally connected.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 16 words

The instrument of claim 17 , wherein the two grips are pivotally connected to the arm.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 107 words

A rod translation system for moving a first bone closer to a second bone, comprising: a fixation element configured to couple to the first bone, the fixation element comprising a connector; a holder configured to couple to the fixation element, the holder comprising a holder guide; a rod configured to be coupled to the second bone; an instrument configured to slidably couple to the holder, the instrument comprising a movable arm, wherein the movable arm comprises an instrument guide and a rod engager; and wherein the holder guide is configured to engage the instrument guide to position the rod into the connector when the instrument is activated.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 107 words

A rod translation system for moving a first bone closer to a second bone, comprising: a fixation element configured to couple to the first bone, the fixation element comprising a connector; a holder configured to couple to the fixation element, the holder comprising a holder guide; a rod configured to be coupled to the second bone; an instrument configured to slidably couple to the holder, the instrument comprising a movable arm, wherein the movable arm comprises an instrument guide and a rod engager; and wherein the holder guide is configured to engage the instrument guide to position the rod into the connector when the instrument is activated.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 25 , wherein the holder guide comprises an extension, and wherein the instrument guide comprises a channel.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 25 , wherein the connector is configured to couple to the fixation element such that removal of the connector from the fixation element is inhibited.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system of claim 25 , wherein the connector comprises a pair of arms and a raised surface, wherein the raised surface is positionable within a recess of the fixation element.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 25 , wherein the fixation element comprises a hook.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 14 words

The system of claim 25 , wherein the fixation element comprises a bone screw.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 25 , wherein the instrument comprises positioners configured to couple the holder to the instrument, and wherein the positioners allow axial movement of the holder.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system of claim 25 , wherein the rod engager comprises a groove in the arm.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 25 , wherein the instrument comprises grips, and wherein the grips control movement of the arm.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 45 words

The system of claim 25 , wherein the instrument comprises a pair of grips and a retainer, and wherein the retainer is configured to inhibit movement of the grips relative to each other in a first direction when the retainer is in a first position.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 34 , further comprising a lock for the retainer.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system of claim 25 , wherein the instrument further comprises a spring member that applies force to the instrument to separate grips of the instrument.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 25 , further comprising a clip positionable between an end of the connector and a body of the fixation element.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system of claim 37 , wherein the clip comprises at least one textured surface configured to engage a surface of the connector to inhibit removal of the clip from the connector.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system of claim 37 , wherein the connector comprises at least one textured surface configured to engage a surface of the clip to inhibit removal of the clip from the connector.

Claim 44

Independent Claim 77 words

A method of reducing a spinal rod to a spinal fixation element, comprising: attaching a holder to the spinal fixation element; coupling the holder to an instrument; engaging the spinal rod with an arm of the instrument; aligning the spinal rod to a spinal rod connector coupled to the fixation element by contacting a guide on the arm with a protrusion on the holder; and reducing an offset between the spinal rod and the spinal rod connector.

Claim 45

Independent Claim 77 words

A method of reducing a spinal rod to a spinal fixation element, comprising: attaching a holder to the spinal fixation element; coupling the holder to an instrument; engaging the spinal rod with an arm of the instrument; aligning the spinal rod to a spinal rod connector coupled to the fixation element by contacting a guide on the arm with a protrusion on the holder; and reducing an offset between the spinal rod and the spinal rod connector.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 40 , further comprising attaching the fixation element to a vertebra prior to attaching a holder to the fixation element.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 40 , wherein the method is repeated on two sides of a spine.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 40 , wherein coupling the holder to the instrument comprises inserting the holder in positioners extending from the instrument.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 40 , wherein engaging the spinal rod with the arm of the instrument comprises engaging the spinal rod with a void or hook in the arm.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 40 , wherein reducing the offset between the spinal rod and the spinal fixation element comprises moving the spinal rod in an arcuate direction.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 40 , wherein reducing the offset between the spinal rod and the spinal fixation element comprises moving the fixation element in an arcuate direction.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 40 , wherein reducing the offset between the spinal rod and the spinal fixation element comprises advancing the protrusion of the holder along the guide on the arm.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 40 , wherein reducing the offset between the spinal rod and the spinal fixation element comprises moving a first grip and a second grip.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 48 , wherein moving the first grip and the second grip comprises moving the first grip toward the second grip, wherein the first and second grips are pivotally connected.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 48 , wherein moving the first grip and the second grip comprises overcoming tension applied to the first grip and the second grip by biasing members.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 48 , wherein moving the first grip and the second grip comprises partially moving the first grip and the second grip and securing the grips in a partially closed position by a retainer.

Claim 57

Independent Claim 66 words

A method of reducing a rod to a fixation element, comprising: attaching a holder to the fixation element; and slidably coupling the holder to an instrument; coupling a rod engager to a rod; activating the instrument to place the rod in a connector of the fixation element, wherein a portion of the holder engages a portion of the instrument to guide the rod into the connector.

Claim 58

Independent Claim 66 words

A method of reducing a rod to a fixation element, comprising: attaching a holder to the fixation element; and slidably coupling the holder to an instrument; coupling a rod engager to a rod; activating the instrument to place the rod in a connector of the fixation element, wherein a portion of the holder engages a portion of the instrument to guide the rod into the connector.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-06-08	2007-12-08	2008-06-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-06-08	2011-12-08	2012-06-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-06-08	2015-12-08	2016-06-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Spinal rod translation instrument

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