Guide wire mounting collar for spinal fixation using minimally invasive surgical techniques

Abstract

An improved guide wire having a collar member for affixation to a pedicle screw, the guide wire assembly used in a system, set of instrumentation and method comprising the combination and use of plural pedicle screws, a rod for connecting pedicle screws in a relatively rigid manner, and instrumentation means to optimize insertion of the rod into the pedicle screws, such means comprising a guide wire and instrumentation to position the guide wire in the pedicle screws, whereby the guide wire is mounted to a pedicle screw, all the screws are implanted into the vertebrae, and the rod subsequently guided into the pedicle screws along the guide wire, all using minimally invasive surgical incisions.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 005,323, filed Dec. 4, 2007.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to the field of systems, instrumentation and methodology for the fixation or fusing of vertebrae relative to each other, and more particularly relates to such systems, instrumentation and methodology that utilize pedicle screws affixed to vertebral pedicles and one or more rods that rigidly connect the pedicle screws of plural vertebrae. Even more particularly, the invention relates to such systems, instrumentation and methodology that utilize a guide wire inserted through the pedicle screws as a means to guide and locate a fixation or stabilization rod through the pedicle screws.[0003]Traditional surgical techniques for affixing rods to vertebrae entail relatively long incisions to provide access to the vertebrae. Large bands of back muscles are stripped and pulled free from the spine (i.e., retrac...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The improved guide wire is provided with connection means that allows the guide wire to be easily mounted onto any standard pedicle screw or other instrumentation, such as for example a ring or collar member that is slipped onto the threaded shaft of the screw beneath the receiving head prior to insertion of the screw into the pedicle.

Problems solved by technology

Because the rod is inserted in a non-axial direction, there is still excessive damage to the muscles and other tissue because a slit must be provided, and recovery time is lengthened and healing pain is increased.

A problem with this system is that the pedicle screws are often not aligned in a linear manner and may also vary in height.

The more out of alignment the receiving heads are, the more difficulty there is in using the swinging rod inserter to deliver the rod.

Another problem with this system is that the rod is not restrained or guided along the insertion path in and between the pedicle screws.

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