Orthopedic implant rod reduction tool set and method

Abstract

A tool set for implanting a rod in a human spine in conjunction with bone screws. The tool set includes a pair of end guide tools that receive opposite ends of the rod in channels and under manipulation by a surgeon facilitate transport of the rod toward the bone screws attached to the guide tools. Intermediate guide tools having guiding pass through slots are utilized to guide intermediate locations along the rod toward associated bone screws. An attachment structure operably connects the guide tools to the bone screws. The guide tools each include a lower guide and advancement structure to allow a closure top with mating structure to be rotated and driven downward against the rod and to cooperate with similar structure in the bone screw to seat and lock the rod therein. A method utilizing the tool set allows a surgeon to percutaneously implant the rod in the patient.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This is a division of U.S. application for patent Ser. No. 10 / 789,149, filed Feb. 27, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. ______.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for use in performing spinal surgery and, in particular, to tools and methods of using such tools, especially for percutaneously implanting a rod for spinal support and alignment using minimally invasive techniques. [0003] For many years, spinal osteosynthesis apparatuses have been utilized to correct spinal deformities, injuries or disease. In such procedures, elongate rods are surgically attached to vertebrae of the spine to provide support and / or to reposition certain vertebrae. Such rods are secured to vertebrae utilizing bone screws and other implants. [0004] Surgical techniques and bone screws have improved; however, in order to reduce the impact of such surgery on the patient, it has been desirable for such implants to be ins...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Therefore, the objects of the present invention are: to provide a set of tools for implanting a spinal rod for support or alignment along a human spine with minimal surgical invasion of the patient; to provide such a set of tools including a pair of end tool guides for slidably guiding opposed ends of the rod toward end bone screws attached to the end guide tools; to provide such a set of tools including intermediate guide tools for each intermediate bone screw that guide the rod in slots therethrough to respective bone screws; to provide such a set of tools including rod pusher and closure top installation tools for assisting in securing the rod in the bone screws; to provide such a set of tools where the end guide tools include a longitudinal channel extending upwardly from near a bottom thereof to slidingly receive and guide ends of the rod toward associated end bone screws; to provide such a set of tools wherein the guide tools are easily attached to and disengaged from the bone screws; to provide such a set of tools wherein each guide tool includes a first guide and advancement structure near the bottom thereof that receives thread or locking flange mating structure on the closure top and advances the closure top upon rotation of the closure top to urge the rod downwardly; to provide such a set of tools wherein the guide tool first guide and advancement structure acts cooperatively with a second guide and advancement structure on the bone screw so as to transfer the closure top upon rotation thereof from the guide tool to the bone screw while continuously applying pressure to the rod and thereafter further advance the closure top to urge the rod into a seated position in the bone screw; to provide such a set of tools wherein the guide tools easily attach to and disengage from the bone screws by manual manipulation of the surgeon outside the patient's skin; to provide a method of implanting a rod into a patient with minimal surgical invasion of the patient; to provide such a method utilizing the previously described tools for percutaneous implantation of such a rod; to provide such a method wherein end guide tools are utilized to receive opposite ends of a rod and guide the rod ends in the guide tool channels through manipulation of the guide tools and use of rod pusher tools; to provide such a method wherein intermediate guide tools are utilized to guide intermediate locations along the rod to respective intermediate bone screws; to provide such a method wherein guide and advancement structure near the bottoms of the guide tools, on the bone screws and on the closure tops are utilized to pass the closure top under rotation and with driving force between the guide tools and the bone screws and to drive the rod into a seating position in the bone screw; and to provide such a set of tools and methods that are easy to use and especially adapted for the intended use thereof and wherein the tools are comparatively inexpensive to produce.

[0009] Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

[0010] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

Problems solved by technology

This presents a problem with implantation of rods that are elongate and have historically required a long incision and open wound in order to provide for the length of the rod and the space required for the surgeon's hands to manipulate the rod, implants and insertion tools used with the rod.

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