Dual action rod reducing and locking device and method

Abstract

Provided is a dual action surgical instrument for use in orthopedic surgical procedures that is capable of reducing a rod into position in a rod receiving notch in the head of a bone screw with a first action and subsequently locking the rod into the receiving notch by a second action of the same instrument. A method of using the device is also provided.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the disclosed device will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A-B respectively show a side view and a top view of the dual action rod reducing and locking device in an open position; that is the first actuation lever is in an open position and if activated can effect the bone screw head grasping process and the rod reducing process. The second actuation lever is an open position and if activated can effect the process of locking the rod into position in the bone screw head after the rod has been so positioned.

FIGS. 2A-B respectively show a side view and a top view of the dual action rod reducing and locking device having the first actuation lever in a closed position; that is the first actuation lever is in a closed position and having been moved inward it has effected the bone screw head grasping process and the rod reducing process. The second actuation lever is in an open position and if activated can effect the process of locking the rod into position in the bone screw head after the rod has been so positioned.

FIGS. 3A-C respectively show a side, back, and top view of the dual action rod reducing and locking device in a closed position; that is the first actuation lever is in a closed position and having been moved inward it has effected the bone screw head grasping process and the rod reducing process. The second actuation lever is in a closed position; that is having been moved inward it has effected the process of locking the rod into position in the bone screw head after it had been so positioned.

FIG. 4 shows the disassembled dual action rod reducing and locking device from a side perspective.

FIGS. 5A-B respectively show a side view and a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the dual action rod reducing and locking device in a closed position.

FIGS. 6A-D respectively show a side view, and cross-sectional views along the transverse axis at different levels along the length of the dual action rod reducing and locking device in a closed position.

FIGS. 7A-D respectively show a back view and cross-sectional views along the transverse axis at different levels along the length of the dual action rod reducing and locking device in a closed position.

Claims

1. A novel dual action surgical device capable of reducing a rod into a taper lock screw and locking the rod into position in said screw, the dual action device comprising: an elongated central structure having a first end and a second, said first end having a handle and said second end having at least one bone screw grasping element,a rod reducing sleeve circumferentially disposed around a portion of said central structure, said rod reducing sleeve having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to a rod reducing actuator and said second end having a rod contact point, wherein when said rod reducing actuator is actuated, said rod reducing sleeve is capable of contacting said central structure so as to actuate said at least one grasping element to effect the grasping of a screw and is also capable of contacting a rod and forcing said rod into a rod receiving notch of said bone screw, anda locking sleeve circumferentially disposed around a portion of said rod reducing sleeve, said locking sleeve having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to a locking actuator and said second end having a bone screw grasping structure, wherein when said locking actuator is actuated, said grasping structure of said locking sleeve is capable of grasping a locking structure on said bone screw and moving said locking structure into a locked position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said rod reducing actuator is a lever pivotally connected to said central structure and pivotally connected to said rod reducing sleeve.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said locking actuator is a lever pivotally connected to said central structure and pivotally connected to said locking sleeve.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said rod reducing actuator is a lever pivotally connected to said central structure and pivotally connect to said rod reducing sleeve and said locking actuator is a lever pivotally connected to said central structure and pivotally connected to said locking sleeve.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said locking actuator is capable of effecting a partial lock of the rod in said bone screw.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein said pivotal connection of said rod reducing actuator to said rod reducing sleeve further comprises an intermediate pivotal connection to a rod reducer connecting arm and said locking actuator pivotal connection further comprises an intermediary pivotal connection to a locking actuator connecting arm.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle is disposed between said rod reducing actuator and said locking actuator.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a central lumen extending along the longitudinal axis and through said device from said first end to said second end.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said lumen is of sufficient diameter to be capable of permitting passage of other instruments through said lumen.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said locking sleeve further comprises an expansion slit whereby said locking sleeve can expand and contract to facilitate a secure slip fit over the head of a taper lock bone screw.

11. A method of reducing a rod into a taper lock bone screw and locking the rod into place, the method comprising: providing the device of claim 1,providing at least one bone screw and at least one surgical rod,implanting said at least one bone screw into the bone of a subject,positioning said rod in said device and position said device on said bone screw,activating a rod reducing activator of said device to effect a grasping of said bone screw and a movement of said rod into position in said bone screw,activating a locking activator of said device to effect a grasping of said bone screw and a movement of a locking mechanism on said bone screw into a locked position.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said rod is partially locked in said screw.

14. A kit for positioning and locking a rod to a bone screw, the kit comprising: at least one of the devices of claim 1,at least one bone screw,at least one surgical rod.

15. The kit of claim 14, further comprising sterile packaging whereby said kit can be opened directly in surgery prior to use.