Patent Application
20070233184
The present invention generally relates to a medical instrument for grasping surgical implant rods. More specifically, a medical instrument for grasping a surgical implant rod is provided including a handle portion which causes a ratcheting mechanism to move a rod abutment portion of a second jaw toward a rod abutment portion of a first jaw to grasp the surgical implant rod therebetween.
Various surgeries require the implantation of surgical implant rods to reinforce deficient bone structure in the body. For example, such surgical implant rod implants have been used in neurosurgical procedures to treat curvature, trauma, deformity, and degenerative conditions of the spine. These implants typically include screws capable of supporting alignment of support rods placed bilaterally along the vertebrae. Surgical implant rods may further be used as cross-link members that bridge the sagittal of the spine.
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In another example, surgical implant rods have alternatively been implanted into other areas of the body. For example, surgical implant rod implants have been used to treat bone disorders such as fractures. As shown in
Surgical procedures for implanting surgical implant rods require much care. For example, the implantation of surgical implant rods in neurosurgical procedures requires the manipulation of the surgical implant rods so as to not damage the spinal cord, other nerves associated therewith, and surrounding tissue. Accordingly, the user is required to insert the rod into very small incisions, maneuver the rod in very small spaces, and maneuver and rotate the rod around various obstacles.
Current medical instruments for grasping and manipulating surgical implant rods are deficient in their weak and unstable grasp of the rod. Furthermore, current medical instruments require an exorbitant grasping force from the user. This results in sore hands and unreliable manipulation of the instrument by the user during delicate operation thereof.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a medical instrument which firmly grasps and reliably manipulates surgical implant rods with delicate precision and without exorbitant force required by the user.
In view of the desired goals of the invention claimed herein, a medical instrument is provided for grasping a surgical implant rod. The medical instrument includes a first jaw including a proximal and a distal end. A handle portion is carried by the proximal end of the first jaw. A rod abutment portion is carried by the distal end of the first jaw. A slidably movable second jaw extends along the first jaw and carries a rod abutment portion. An operation of the handle portion causes a ratcheting mechanism to move the rod abutment portion of the second jaw toward the rod abutment portion of the first jaw to grasp the surgical implant rod therebetween. In another embodiment, the medical instrument further includes an outer reinforcement tube enveloping the first jaw and second jaw.
In yet another embodiment, the handle portion includes a pair of legs. One of the one of the legs may be pivotably movable such that a pivot of the leg causes the ratcheting mechanism to move the rod abutment portion of the second jaw toward the rod abutment portion of the first jaw to grasp the surgical implant rod therebetween. Alternatively, both of the legs are pivotably movable such that a pivot of both legs causes the ratcheting mechanism to move the rod abutment portion of the second jaw toward the rod abutment portion of the first jaw to grasp the surgical implant rod therebetween. Moreover, a pair of leaf springs may be connected between the pair of legs for biasing the legs away from one another.
In yet another embodiment, a lock lever is provided associated with the ratcheting mechanism. The lock lever biases the ratcheting mechanism in a locked position. Engagement of the lock lever unlocks the ratcheting mechanism and allows the movement of the rod abutment portion of the second jaw away from the rod abutment portion of the first jaw.
It should be understood that the present invention includes a number of different aspects or features which may have utility alone and/or in combination with other aspects or features. Accordingly, this summary is not exhaustive identification of each such aspect or feature that is now or may hereafter be claimed, but represents an overview of certain aspects of the present invention to assist in understanding the more detailed description that follows. The scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described below, but is set forth in the claims now or hereafter filed.
Throughout this description, reference has been and will be made to the accompanying views of the drawing wherein like subject matter has like reference numerals, and wherein:
a, 4b, and 4c are perspective views of a prior art vertebral locking and retrieving system including surgical implant rods;
a and 13b are isometric views of another embodiment flat spring for use with a medical instrument for grasping surgical implant rods in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a medical instrument is provided for grasping a surgical implant rod. The medical instrument is preferably constructed of a durable material that can be autoclaved at a high temperature and pressure. The medical instrument preferably further has a non-glare surface so as to not interfere with the user's sight while using the instrument. For example, the medical instrument may be constructed of a stainless metal material. More specifically, the medical instrument may be constructed of a titanium alloy.
While the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms and in various combinations, particular focus will be on the multiple embodiments of the invention described herein with the understanding that such embodiments are to be considered exemplifications of the principles of the invention and are not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention.
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A handle portion 118 is further provided comprising a pair of legs 120a,b with associated leaf springs 122a,b. A ratcheting mechanism 124 is further provided with a flat spring 126 and a lock lever 128 associated therewith.
The medical instrument includes an outer reinforcement tube 116 enveloping the first jaw and second jaw. This reinforcement tube 116 strengthens the elongated first jaw and second jaw structure, thereby allowing the user to increase stress, strain, and torque on the elongated structure and the medical instrument. It further protects the first and second jaws from exposure to the environment. In yet another benefit, the reinforcement tube 116 protects the patient from any unintentional pinching of nerves, tissue, etc. between the first and second jaws.
The handle portion 118 is carried by the proximal end of the first jaw. The pair of leaf springs 122a,b is connected between the pair of legs 120a,b for biasing the legs away from one another. An operation of the handle portion 118 causes the ratcheting mechanism 124 to move the rod abutment portion 110 of the second jaw toward the rod abutment portion 106 of the first jaw to grasp the surgical implant rod 130 therebetween. More specifically, both of the legs 120a,b are pivotably movable such that a pivot of both legs toward each other (e.g, a gripping action by the user) causes the ratcheting mechanism 124 to operate.
Turning specifically to
The lock lever 128 is biased to lock the second jaw 108 in place via flat spring 126. In order to release the grasp on the rod 130, the distal part of the lock lever is pressed (e.g., through pressing by the user's thumb) so that the ratcheting mechanism engagement portion is allowed to move back to the initial position (first notch 115a) from the second position (second notch 115b). Without deviating from the spirit of the present invention, it is contemplated that multiple notches may be included on the ratcheting mechanism engagement portion so that there are many different positions and, therefore, many different sizes of rods that may be grasped.
In yet another embodiment and now turning to
In yet another embodiment and now turning to
Furthermore, without deviating from the spirit of the present invention, it is contemplated that many different types of handles may be used as long as they work with a ratcheting mechanism. For example, the handle may include a rotatable shaft which is associated with a jaw and a ratcheting mechanism, wherein the rotation of the handle causes the ratcheting mechanism to move the rod abutment portion of jaw toward the rod abutment portion of another jaw to grasp a surgical implant rod therebetween.
In yet another embodiment and now turning to
While this invention has been described with reference to certain illustrative aspects, it will be understood that this description shall not be construed in a limiting sense. Rather, various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrative embodiments without departing from the true spirit, central characteristics and scope of the invention, including those combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that any such changes and modifications will be recognized by those skilled in the art as an equivalent to one or more elements of the following claims, and shall be covered by such claims to the fullest extent permitted by law.
