US20130245689A1 - Connecting rod for bone anchors having a bioresorbable tip - Google Patents
Connecting rod for bone anchors having a bioresorbable tip Download PDFInfo
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- US20130245689A1 US20130245689A1 US13/891,892 US201313891892A US2013245689A1 US 20130245689 A1 US20130245689 A1 US 20130245689A1 US 201313891892 A US201313891892 A US 201313891892A US 2013245689 A1 US2013245689 A1 US 2013245689A1
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- tip
- connecting rod
- bioresorbable
- aperture
- pedicle screws
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Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
- A61B17/56—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor
- A61B17/58—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor for osteosynthesis, e.g. bone plates, screws or setting implements
- A61B17/68—Internal fixation devices, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin
- A61B17/70—Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
- A61B17/7001—Screws or hooks combined with longitudinal elements which do not contact vertebrae
- A61B17/7002—Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
- A61B17/56—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor
- A61B17/58—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor for osteosynthesis, e.g. bone plates, screws or setting implements
- A61B17/68—Internal fixation devices, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin
- A61B17/70—Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
- A61B17/7001—Screws or hooks combined with longitudinal elements which do not contact vertebrae
- A61B17/7002—Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods
- A61B17/7011—Longitudinal element being non-straight, e.g. curved, angled or branched
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
- A61B2017/00004—(bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
Definitions
- the invention generally relates to surgical implants; particularly to devices for fixation of bony structures and most particularly to a connecting rod for bone anchors suitable for percutaneous insertion and constructed to include a main shaft portion that is not bioresorbable and a tip portion that is bioresorbable.
- Bone is fixed, i.e. stabilized, in the proper position.
- Various devices and techniques for stabilization of bone are well known and routinely practiced in the medical arts.
- Long bones have been stabilized using such devices as plates, slings, external casts, splints, screws and braces.
- the spine has been stabilized using rod and fastener systems.
- fasteners such as screws, clamps, hooks, claws or bolts are placed into each vertebra and connected by a rod attached to the fasteners.
- Tension or compression force is applied to the rod between each consecutive fastener for fixation of the vertebrae.
- Such a system can be used on a single vertebra and/or on multiple vertebrae.
- Bone screws are commonly used as fasteners for alignment and fixation of vertebral bodies. These screws are inserted into the spinal pedicle, the bony process projecting backward from the vertebral body, and stabilized with connecting rods placed longitudinally with regard to the vertebrae. Although surgical insertion of pedicle screws has successfully treated non-unions, instability, injuries and disease of the spine, it is not without disadvantages.
- a serious post-operative complication after insertion of pedicle screws is impingement of the movement of facet joints.
- Facet joints link the vertebrae together and their hinge-like movement enables flexion (bending forward) and extension (bending backward) of the spine.
- the connecting elements are placed within an area that is normally an empty space. This infringement of space limits the range of motion of the facet joints.
- the tip which facilitates the insertion, but performs no other function, remains attached to the connecting rod further impinging space.
- a patient with impinged facet joints can suffer difficult and limited movement along with extreme discomfort and pain.
- the primary purpose of the surgical placement of pedicle screws is to improve and/or correct symptoms of back problems, thus these side effects are unacceptable.
- Bioresorbable implants have many advantages, such as, versatility (they can be designed for many types of tissue), predictability (with regard to absorption rates) and strength (during bone healing and/or correction). Bioresorbable implants do not obscure imaging results (on X-ray, MRI, CT scan), do not require additional surgery for removal and reduce the risk of implant failure, such as impingement of spinal facet joints. Furthermore, the use of bioresorbable implants may reduce immune reactions and osteolysis of the healing bone that can result with the use of conventional, non-bioresorbable implants.
- Bone tissue responds well in regions of stress and/or pressure. For example, when stress is reduced or removed by insertion of an implant, the implant bears the entire weight load for the bone as long as it remains inserted. Thus, the bone may not heal properly as the implant is providing the structure that the healed bone should be providing. Bioresorbable implants are ideal in that they avoid this problem by encouraging repair since they resorb as tissue is healing and the tissue gradually lessons dependency on the implant for support.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,769 issued to Charles C. Edwards on Jan. 25, 1983, discloses a spinal fixation device in which sleeves or spacers are placed around or over spinal rods to provide an appropriate fit between the rod and the spine in order to achieve greater pressure and thus greater correction of spinal deformities.
- These sleeves or spacers are disclosed as having variable thicknesses and are constructed from any biologically compatible material, including bioresorbable materials.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,484 B2 issued to Betz et al. on Sep. 23, 2003 discloses a method for treatment and correction of spinal deformities without the need for fusion of the intervertebral disk space.
- a surgical technique is disclosed in which opening and closing osteotomies are created in the affected vertebrae.
- Correction devices are provided which hold the osteotomies in either the closed or open orientations.
- These correction devices also include connection members which can be used to engage the devices to an elongated member, such as a spinal rod. Once bone union has occurred in the treated vertebrae, the spinal rod can be disconnected from the correction devices and removed from the patient.
- the spinal rods are formed of a bioresorbable material to eliminate the need for a second surgery to remove the rod from the patient's body.
- Lim et al. published on Aug. 4, 2005, discloses instruments and methods for minimally invasive spinal stabilization.
- the disclosed instrument introduces a flexible stabilization element into a patient and secures it to one or more anchors, for example, bone screws.
- Lim et al. also disclose many embodiments using connecting rods for the anchors (bone screws).
- One such connecting rod shown in FIG. 38 of the Lim application, includes two distal end portions and a center portion connecting the distal portions.
- the distal end portions are constructed of a non-bioresorbable metal material and the center connecting portion is constructed of a bioresorbable material.
- the bioresorbable material is resorbed to release the connection between two adjacent anchors.
- a trocar provides access to the desired site within a body cavity during a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
- the obturator, i.e. piercing end, of the trocar penetrates the tissue and is shaped to enlarge the opening created as the trocar is advanced.
- Bone anchors have been percutaneously placed and connected. Connecting elements have been adapted for such purpose by attaching a trocar-type tip to the distal end of a rod. However, although the tip facilitates the insertion, it performs no other function and remains attached to the connecting rod after placement impinging space and thus movement of the facet joints. A need remains for connecting elements which do not interfere with normal functioning.
- the instant invention provides connecting elements that are capable of providing effective stabilization while minimizing disruption of normal vertebral functioning. These connecting elements can be percutaneously inserted and are compatible for application with minimally invasive surgical techniques. Although a rod is exemplified herein, other such connecting elements known to one skilled in the art are also contemplated.
- the connecting rod of the invention is comprised of two portions, a main shaft portion constructed of a non-bioresorbable material and a tip portion constructed of a bioresorbable material.
- the non-bioresorbable material of the shaft can be, but is not limited to, a metal, such as titanium, stainless steel, or cobalt-chrome alloys or the shaft portion can be porcelain and/or mixtures of all of these materials.
- bioresorbable material is intended to encompass any non-toxic, non-immunogenic material, natural or synthetic, capable of being formed into a tip which after insertion is gradually hydrolyzed and absorbed over a finite period of time by chemical/biological activity in the body.
- Illustrative, albeit non-limiting, examples are polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polycaprolactone, polyanhydrides, polydioxanone, polyamino acids, trimethylene carbonate, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, copolymers of lactic acid, hydroxyapatite and alginates.
- the tips of the instant invention can also be made out of bioresorable metals such as magnesium alloys and zinc alloys as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,172 B2 (Kaese et al.) or made out of blends of bioresorbable polymers as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,232 B1 (Brown).
- Commercially available bioresorbable materials such as LACTOSORB (Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. Jacksonville, Fla.) can also be used to construct the tips of the instant invention.
- connecting rod is exemplified for use with vertebral pedicle screws, it is contemplated for use in any bone stabilization procedure where the implant can cause disruption of normal functioning of the affected bone and surrounding tissues.
- It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a rod for connecting bone anchors comprising; a shaft portion constructed of a non-bioresorbable material and at least one tip portion constructed of a bioresorbable material.
- It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a rod for connecting pedicle screws comprising two portions; a shaft portion constructed of a non-bioresorbable material and a trocar tip constructed of a bioresorbable material.
- FIGS. 1A-B show a side perspective view of vertebral flexion ( FIG. 1A ) and extension ( FIG. 1B ).
- FIG. 2 is a posterior view of a pair of lumbar vertebrae.
- FIG. 3 is an elevation view of an installation instrument for inserting a connecting rod between two pedicle screws in adjacent vertebrae, and forming the spinal fixation assembly of the present invention.
- FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of the tip coupled via engaged helical threads with an interior sectional view of the shaft.
- FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the tip coupled via engaged locking tapers with an interior sectional view of the shaft.
- FIG. 4C is a side elevation view of the tip coupled via engaged interference fit with an interior sectional view of the shaft.
- FIG. 4D is a side elevation view of the tip coupled via laser weld with an interior sectional view of the shaft.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vertebral pair and anchors with the connecting rod positioned for insertion into the passageway through the anchors.
- the invention provides a connecting rod for bony stabilization devices (also referred to herein as anchors or fasteners) and is compatible for use with minimally invasive surgical techniques.
- This connecting rod is constructed to include at least two portions; a main shaft portion that is not bioresorbable and a tip portion that is bioresorbable. After placement of the rod, the bioresorbable tip is resorbed into the patient's body for reduction of post-operative complications such as impingement of adjacent spinal facet joints.
- Joint impingement is a serious side effect of surgical installation of bone anchors such as pedicle screws.
- the discomfort felt by the patient may be worse than the discomfort of the original condition being treated.
- these stabilization devices do not further disrupt the function of the tissues that they are meant to treat.
- FIGS. 1A-B illustration of the movement of the facet joints is provided in FIGS. 1A-B .
- FIG. 1A illustrates spinal flexion, i.e. forward movement of a pair of vertebral bodies 1 .
- Facet joints 5 connect upper (superior) vertebral body 2 and lower (inferior) vertebral body 3 .
- Forward movement lifts pedicle 4 upward; direction shown by bolded arrow A.
- the intervertebral disc 6 is shown between vertebral bodies 2 and 3 .
- FIG. 1B illustrates spinal extension, i.e. backward movement of the pair of vertebral bodies 1 .
- Facet joints 5 connect upper (superior) vertebral body 2 and lower (inferior) vertebral body 3 .
- Backward movement depresses pedicle 4 ; direction shown by bolded arrow A.
- the intervertebral disc 6 is shown between vertebral bodies 2 and 3 .
- FIG. 2 shows a posterior view of a pair of lumbar vertebrae.
- the pair of vertebrae 7 is comprises of superior (upper) vertebra 8 and inferior (lower) vertebra 9 .
- the facet joints 10 between the pair 7 are comprised of inferior facet 11 of superior vertebra 8 , and superior facet 12 of inferior vertebra 9 .
- the spinous process 13 and the transverse process 14 are also shown.
- connecting rods are percutaneously inserted into pedicle screws in a minimally invasive surgical approach using an instrument 15 as shown in FIG. 3 .
- a vertebral segment 16 is shown comprising adjacent vertebral bodies 17 separated by disc space 18 .
- Connecting rod 24 includes a shaft 20 having a length between a connecting end 21 and an insertion end 22 sufficient to connect at least two bone anchors 19 .
- the length of shaft 20 is selected to compatible with the method of insertion as percutaneous insertion requires a longer rod.
- Shaft 20 as shown is an elongated rod curved along its length between ends 21 and 22 with a radius of curvature R.
- shaft 20 can include any known configuration.
- Tip 23 coupled to insertion end 22 forms a path through the tissue to facilitate installation of shaft 20 into passageways of anchors engaged to bony structures to stabilize, i.e. fix, the bony structure.
- the tip 23 is constructed of bioresorbable material and, after a period of time, is resorbed into the body. After resorption of the tip 23 , the non-bioresorbable shaft 20 remains, connecting bone anchors 19 between adjacent vertebrae without inhibiting movement.
- FIGS. 4A-D An embodiment for coupling the bioresorbable tip to the non-bioresorbable shaft is illustrated in FIGS. 4A-D .
- a mating threaded attachment 29 is provided between the annulus 28 descending from the tip base 26 and the insertion end 22 of the shaft 20 .
- the annulus portion 28 of the trocar-type tip 25 is threaded 29 and the insertion end 22 of the shaft 20 has mating threads 30 to receive the threads 29 on annulus 28 .
- threads are the exemplified embodiment, other methods for coupling the bioresorbable tip to the non-bioresorbable shaft known to those of skill in the art are contemplated, such as, but not limited to, press fits 40 ( FIG. 4C ), locking buttons, locking tapers 42 ( FIG. 4B ) and laser welding 44 ( FIG. 4D ).
- FIG. 5 shows the percutaneous insertion of connecting rod 24 in vertebral segment 16 .
- Anchors 19 are shown installed in adjacent vertebral bodies 17 .
- Instrument 15 guides and positions connecting rod 24 through passage 31 between bone anchors 19 .
- connecting rod is exemplified for use with vertebral pedicle screws, it is contemplated for use in any percutaneous surgical procedure wherein the cutting tip provides no function other than creating a passageway.
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Abstract
Description
- The invention generally relates to surgical implants; particularly to devices for fixation of bony structures and most particularly to a connecting rod for bone anchors suitable for percutaneous insertion and constructed to include a main shaft portion that is not bioresorbable and a tip portion that is bioresorbable.
- Healing and/or structural correction is greatly facilitated when a bone is fixed, i.e. stabilized, in the proper position. Various devices and techniques for stabilization of bone are well known and routinely practiced in the medical arts. Long bones have been stabilized using such devices as plates, slings, external casts, splints, screws and braces. The spine has been stabilized using rod and fastener systems. For example, fasteners such as screws, clamps, hooks, claws or bolts are placed into each vertebra and connected by a rod attached to the fasteners. Tension or compression force is applied to the rod between each consecutive fastener for fixation of the vertebrae. Such a system can be used on a single vertebra and/or on multiple vertebrae.
- Bone screws are commonly used as fasteners for alignment and fixation of vertebral bodies. These screws are inserted into the spinal pedicle, the bony process projecting backward from the vertebral body, and stabilized with connecting rods placed longitudinally with regard to the vertebrae. Although surgical insertion of pedicle screws has successfully treated non-unions, instability, injuries and disease of the spine, it is not without disadvantages.
- A serious post-operative complication after insertion of pedicle screws is impingement of the movement of facet joints. Facet joints link the vertebrae together and their hinge-like movement enables flexion (bending forward) and extension (bending backward) of the spine. When pedicle screws are connected the connecting elements are placed within an area that is normally an empty space. This infringement of space limits the range of motion of the facet joints. Additionally, if the pedicle screws are inserted percutaneously using a minimally invasive device, the tip which facilitates the insertion, but performs no other function, remains attached to the connecting rod further impinging space. A patient with impinged facet joints can suffer difficult and limited movement along with extreme discomfort and pain. The primary purpose of the surgical placement of pedicle screws is to improve and/or correct symptoms of back problems, thus these side effects are unacceptable.
- Accordingly, a need exists in the surgical arts for connecting elements that are compatible with minimally invasive techniques and capable of providing effective stabilization, but are less bulky and less disruptive of normal vertebral functioning than the currently available connecting elements.
- Researchers have attempted to circumvent some of the disadvantages associated with conventional surgical implants by using implants constructed from bioresorbable materials. Most bioresorbable materials are polymers that are slowly hydrolyzed into lactic acid which is then metabolized by the liver into carbon dioxide and water and easily eliminated by the body. Bioresorbable implants have many advantages, such as, versatility (they can be designed for many types of tissue), predictability (with regard to absorption rates) and strength (during bone healing and/or correction). Bioresorbable implants do not obscure imaging results (on X-ray, MRI, CT scan), do not require additional surgery for removal and reduce the risk of implant failure, such as impingement of spinal facet joints. Furthermore, the use of bioresorbable implants may reduce immune reactions and osteolysis of the healing bone that can result with the use of conventional, non-bioresorbable implants.
- Bone tissue responds well in regions of stress and/or pressure. For example, when stress is reduced or removed by insertion of an implant, the implant bears the entire weight load for the bone as long as it remains inserted. Thus, the bone may not heal properly as the implant is providing the structure that the healed bone should be providing. Bioresorbable implants are ideal in that they avoid this problem by encouraging repair since they resorb as tissue is healing and the tissue gradually lessons dependency on the implant for support.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,769, issued to Charles C. Edwards on Jan. 25, 1983, discloses a spinal fixation device in which sleeves or spacers are placed around or over spinal rods to provide an appropriate fit between the rod and the spine in order to achieve greater pressure and thus greater correction of spinal deformities. These sleeves or spacers are disclosed as having variable thicknesses and are constructed from any biologically compatible material, including bioresorbable materials.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,484 B2, issued to Betz et al. on Sep. 23, 2003 discloses a method for treatment and correction of spinal deformities without the need for fusion of the intervertebral disk space. A surgical technique is disclosed in which opening and closing osteotomies are created in the affected vertebrae. Correction devices are provided which hold the osteotomies in either the closed or open orientations. These correction devices also include connection members which can be used to engage the devices to an elongated member, such as a spinal rod. Once bone union has occurred in the treated vertebrae, the spinal rod can be disconnected from the correction devices and removed from the patient. In one embodiment, the spinal rods are formed of a bioresorbable material to eliminate the need for a second surgery to remove the rod from the patient's body.
- US Patent Application Publication 2005/0171540 A1, Lim et al., published on Aug. 4, 2005, discloses instruments and methods for minimally invasive spinal stabilization. The disclosed instrument introduces a flexible stabilization element into a patient and secures it to one or more anchors, for example, bone screws. Lim et al. also disclose many embodiments using connecting rods for the anchors (bone screws). One such connecting rod, shown in FIG. 38 of the Lim application, includes two distal end portions and a center portion connecting the distal portions. The distal end portions are constructed of a non-bioresorbable metal material and the center connecting portion is constructed of a bioresorbable material. The bioresorbable material is resorbed to release the connection between two adjacent anchors.
- The surgical arts have advanced to the point that minimally invasive techniques for percutaneous placement of surgical implants and instruments are commonly practiced. Compared to the requirements of conventional “open surgery”, the amount and size of incisions is decreased with the use of minimally invasive techniques. Decreased invasiveness has led to reduced trauma/post-operative pain with reduction of length of hospital stay and recovery time for the patient. In addition to individual benefits, health care as a whole is benefitted by both reduced costs and burden on the system.
- Many surgical instruments have been adapted for use with percutaneous techniques. For example, a trocar provides access to the desired site within a body cavity during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The obturator, i.e. piercing end, of the trocar penetrates the tissue and is shaped to enlarge the opening created as the trocar is advanced.
- Bone anchors have been percutaneously placed and connected. Connecting elements have been adapted for such purpose by attaching a trocar-type tip to the distal end of a rod. However, although the tip facilitates the insertion, it performs no other function and remains attached to the connecting rod after placement impinging space and thus movement of the facet joints. A need remains for connecting elements which do not interfere with normal functioning.
- In order to meet the need in the surgical arts, the instant invention provides connecting elements that are capable of providing effective stabilization while minimizing disruption of normal vertebral functioning. These connecting elements can be percutaneously inserted and are compatible for application with minimally invasive surgical techniques. Although a rod is exemplified herein, other such connecting elements known to one skilled in the art are also contemplated.
- The connecting rod of the invention is comprised of two portions, a main shaft portion constructed of a non-bioresorbable material and a tip portion constructed of a bioresorbable material. The non-bioresorbable material of the shaft can be, but is not limited to, a metal, such as titanium, stainless steel, or cobalt-chrome alloys or the shaft portion can be porcelain and/or mixtures of all of these materials. The term “bioresorbable material” is intended to encompass any non-toxic, non-immunogenic material, natural or synthetic, capable of being formed into a tip which after insertion is gradually hydrolyzed and absorbed over a finite period of time by chemical/biological activity in the body. Illustrative, albeit non-limiting, examples are polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polycaprolactone, polyanhydrides, polydioxanone, polyamino acids, trimethylene carbonate, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, copolymers of lactic acid, hydroxyapatite and alginates. The tips of the instant invention can also be made out of bioresorable metals such as magnesium alloys and zinc alloys as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,172 B2 (Kaese et al.) or made out of blends of bioresorbable polymers as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,232 B1 (Brown). Commercially available bioresorbable materials such as LACTOSORB (Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. Jacksonville, Fla.) can also be used to construct the tips of the instant invention.
- Although the described connecting rod is exemplified for use with vertebral pedicle screws, it is contemplated for use in any bone stabilization procedure where the implant can cause disruption of normal functioning of the affected bone and surrounding tissues.
- It is an objective of the instant invention to provide connecting elements for bone anchors that are compatible with minimally invasive techniques and capable of providing effective stabilization, but are less bulky and less disruptive of normal vertebral functioning than the currently available connecting elements.
- It is an objective of the instant invention to provide a connecting rod for bone anchors comprising at least one bioresorbable part.
- It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a rod for connecting bone anchors comprising; a shaft portion constructed of a non-bioresorbable material and at least one tip portion constructed of a bioresorbable material.
- It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a rod for connecting pedicle screws comprising two portions; a shaft portion constructed of a non-bioresorbable material and a trocar tip constructed of a bioresorbable material.
- Other objectives and advantages of the instant 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 the instant invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
-
FIGS. 1A-B show a side perspective view of vertebral flexion (FIG. 1A ) and extension (FIG. 1B ). -
FIG. 2 is a posterior view of a pair of lumbar vertebrae. -
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of an installation instrument for inserting a connecting rod between two pedicle screws in adjacent vertebrae, and forming the spinal fixation assembly of the present invention. -
FIG. 4A is a side elevation view of the tip coupled via engaged helical threads with an interior sectional view of the shaft. -
FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the tip coupled via engaged locking tapers with an interior sectional view of the shaft. -
FIG. 4C is a side elevation view of the tip coupled via engaged interference fit with an interior sectional view of the shaft. -
FIG. 4D is a side elevation view of the tip coupled via laser weld with an interior sectional view of the shaft. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vertebral pair and anchors with the connecting rod positioned for insertion into the passageway through the anchors. - For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. However, the illustrated embodiments are merely exemplary. It is understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices, and such further application of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
- Generally, the invention provides a connecting rod for bony stabilization devices (also referred to herein as anchors or fasteners) and is compatible for use with minimally invasive surgical techniques. This connecting rod is constructed to include at least two portions; a main shaft portion that is not bioresorbable and a tip portion that is bioresorbable. After placement of the rod, the bioresorbable tip is resorbed into the patient's body for reduction of post-operative complications such as impingement of adjacent spinal facet joints.
- Joint impingement is a serious side effect of surgical installation of bone anchors such as pedicle screws. The discomfort felt by the patient may be worse than the discomfort of the original condition being treated. Thus, it is very important that these stabilization devices do not further disrupt the function of the tissues that they are meant to treat.
- For purposes of explanation, illustration of the movement of the facet joints is provided in
FIGS. 1A-B . -
FIG. 1A illustrates spinal flexion, i.e. forward movement of a pair of vertebral bodies 1. Facet joints 5 connect upper (superior)vertebral body 2 and lower (inferior)vertebral body 3. Forward movement liftspedicle 4 upward; direction shown by bolded arrow A. Theintervertebral disc 6 is shown betweenvertebral bodies -
FIG. 1B illustrates spinal extension, i.e. backward movement of the pair of vertebral bodies 1. Facet joints 5 connect upper (superior)vertebral body 2 and lower (inferior)vertebral body 3. Backward movement depressespedicle 4; direction shown by bolded arrow A. Theintervertebral disc 6 is shown betweenvertebral bodies - For purposes of explanation,
FIG. 2 shows a posterior view of a pair of lumbar vertebrae. Although lumbar vertebrae are illustrated, the invention can be used with any adjacent vertebrae. The pair of vertebrae 7 is comprises of superior (upper)vertebra 8 and inferior (lower)vertebra 9. The facet joints 10 between the pair 7 are comprised ofinferior facet 11 ofsuperior vertebra 8, andsuperior facet 12 ofinferior vertebra 9. Thespinous process 13 and thetransverse process 14 are also shown. - In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, connecting rods are percutaneously inserted into pedicle screws in a minimally invasive surgical approach using an
instrument 15 as shown inFIG. 3 . For purposes of reference avertebral segment 16 is shown comprising adjacentvertebral bodies 17 separated bydisc space 18. Connectingrod 24 includes ashaft 20 having a length between a connectingend 21 and aninsertion end 22 sufficient to connect at least two bone anchors 19. The length ofshaft 20 is selected to compatible with the method of insertion as percutaneous insertion requires a longer rod.Shaft 20 as shown is an elongated rod curved along its length between ends 21 and 22 with a radius of curvature R. However, it should be understood thatshaft 20 can include any known configuration.Tip 23 coupled to insertion end 22 forms a path through the tissue to facilitate installation ofshaft 20 into passageways of anchors engaged to bony structures to stabilize, i.e. fix, the bony structure. Thetip 23 is constructed of bioresorbable material and, after a period of time, is resorbed into the body. After resorption of thetip 23, thenon-bioresorbable shaft 20 remains, connecting bone anchors 19 between adjacent vertebrae without inhibiting movement. - An embodiment for coupling the bioresorbable tip to the non-bioresorbable shaft is illustrated in
FIGS. 4A-D . A mating threaded attachment 29 is provided between theannulus 28 descending from thetip base 26 and theinsertion end 22 of theshaft 20. Theannulus portion 28 of the trocar-type tip 25 is threaded 29 and theinsertion end 22 of theshaft 20 hasmating threads 30 to receive the threads 29 onannulus 28. (seeFIG. 4A ). Although threads are the exemplified embodiment, other methods for coupling the bioresorbable tip to the non-bioresorbable shaft known to those of skill in the art are contemplated, such as, but not limited to, press fits 40 (FIG. 4C ), locking buttons, locking tapers 42 (FIG. 4B ) and laser welding 44 (FIG. 4D ). -
FIG. 5 shows the percutaneous insertion of connectingrod 24 invertebral segment 16.Anchors 19 are shown installed in adjacentvertebral bodies 17.Instrument 15 guides andpositions connecting rod 24 throughpassage 31 between bone anchors 19. - Although the described connecting rod is exemplified for use with vertebral pedicle screws, it is contemplated for use in any percutaneous surgical procedure wherein the cutting tip provides no function other than creating a passageway.
- All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
- It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.
- One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (7)
Priority Applications (1)
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US13/891,892 US20130245689A1 (en) | 2006-08-04 | 2013-05-10 | Connecting rod for bone anchors having a bioresorbable tip |
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US11/462,566 US8439952B2 (en) | 2006-08-04 | 2006-08-04 | Connecting rod for bone anchors having a bioresorbable tip |
US13/891,892 US20130245689A1 (en) | 2006-08-04 | 2013-05-10 | Connecting rod for bone anchors having a bioresorbable tip |
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US11/462,566 Continuation US8439952B2 (en) | 2006-08-04 | 2006-08-04 | Connecting rod for bone anchors having a bioresorbable tip |
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US13/891,892 Abandoned US20130245689A1 (en) | 2006-08-04 | 2013-05-10 | Connecting rod for bone anchors having a bioresorbable tip |
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US20080269805A1 (en) * | 2007-04-25 | 2008-10-30 | Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. | Methods for correcting spinal deformities |
US8246624B2 (en) * | 2009-07-23 | 2012-08-21 | Zimmer Spine, Inc. | Spinal rod insertion tool and method |
US8540719B2 (en) | 2010-02-09 | 2013-09-24 | Aesculap Implant Systems, Llc | Percutaneous rod insertion system and method |
US10136927B1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2018-11-27 | Nuvasive, Inc. | Rod reduction assemblies and related methods |
US9486256B1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-11-08 | Nuvasive, Inc. | Rod reduction assemblies and related methods |
US9924972B2 (en) | 2015-02-04 | 2018-03-27 | James J. Yue | System and method for spinal fusion |
CN105816235A (en) * | 2016-02-26 | 2016-08-03 | 邓宇 | Rotating arm knife of thoracolumbar vertebral fracture posterior micro-wound screw-rod fixation percutaneous reduction system |
US11051861B2 (en) | 2018-06-13 | 2021-07-06 | Nuvasive, Inc. | Rod reduction assemblies and related methods |
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US20020169465A1 (en) * | 1999-07-23 | 2002-11-14 | Bowman Steven M. | Graft fixation device |
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US4369769A (en) * | 1980-06-13 | 1983-01-25 | Edwards Charles C | Spinal fixation device and method |
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US6027742A (en) * | 1995-05-19 | 2000-02-22 | Etex Corporation | Bioresorbable ceramic composites |
US5810821A (en) * | 1997-03-28 | 1998-09-22 | Biomet Inc. | Bone fixation screw system |
US5836949A (en) * | 1997-05-05 | 1998-11-17 | Campbell, Jr.; Robert M. | Bioabsorbable intermedullary implant system and methods of use |
FR2763831B1 (en) * | 1997-05-29 | 1999-08-06 | Materiel Orthopedique En Abreg | VERTEBRAL ROD OF CONSTANT SECTION FOR RACHIDIAN OSTEOSYNTHESIS INSTRUMENTATIONS |
US6287308B1 (en) * | 1997-07-14 | 2001-09-11 | Sdgi Holdings, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for fusionless treatment of spinal deformities |
US7452371B2 (en) * | 1999-06-02 | 2008-11-18 | Cook Incorporated | Implantable vascular device |
DE10163106A1 (en) * | 2001-12-24 | 2003-07-10 | Univ Hannover | Medical implants, prostheses, prosthesis parts, medical instruments, devices and aids made of a halide-modified magnesium material |
US7473267B2 (en) * | 2003-04-25 | 2009-01-06 | Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. | System and method for minimally invasive posterior fixation |
EP1628563B1 (en) * | 2003-05-23 | 2009-09-23 | Globus Medical, Inc. | Spine stabilization system |
US7597694B2 (en) * | 2004-01-30 | 2009-10-06 | Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. | Instruments and methods for minimally invasive spinal stabilization |
US8016834B2 (en) * | 2005-08-03 | 2011-09-13 | Helmut Weber | Process and device for treating vertebral bodies |
DE102005061368B3 (en) * | 2005-12-13 | 2007-07-12 | Aesculap Ag & Co. Kg | Implantable connecting element and surgical fixation system |
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- 2006-08-04 US US11/462,566 patent/US8439952B2/en active Active
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- 2013-05-10 US US13/891,892 patent/US20130245689A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US20020169465A1 (en) * | 1999-07-23 | 2002-11-14 | Bowman Steven M. | Graft fixation device |
US20020161368A1 (en) * | 1999-10-20 | 2002-10-31 | Foley Kevin T. | Instruments and methods for stabilization of bony structures |
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US8439952B2 (en) | 2013-05-14 |
US20080051781A1 (en) | 2008-02-28 |
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