Patent Grant
11832855
Unilateral implant holders and related methods are disclosed herein.
Fixation systems can be used in orthopedic surgery or neurosurgery to maintain a desired spatial relationship between multiple bones or bone fragments. For example, various conditions of the spine, such as fractures, deformities, and degenerative disorders, can be treated by attaching a spinal fixation system to one or more vertebrae. Such systems may include a spinal fixation element, such as a rod, that is coupled to the vertebrae by one or more bone anchors, such as screws or hooks. The fixation system can also include various other implants, such as connectors for attaching multiple rods to one another. Once installed, the fixation system holds the vertebrae in a desired position until healing or spinal fusion can occur, or for some other period of time.
There may be various difficulties in manipulating and handling implants at a surgical site, particularly in the case of minimally-invasive procedures or procedures that involve areas with narrow anatomical constraints, such as the cervical spine. Existing surgical pick-up tools, such as forceps and tweezers, may fail to provide sufficient clamping force to resist the multi-directional forces exerted on the implant as it is manipulated within the surgical site, making it difficult to position the implant and increasing the risk of dropping the implant. Insertion instruments that rigidly attach to the implant may have considerable bulk and can limit the degree or manner in which the implant can be manipulated, impede insertion of a rod or other component into the implant, or cause other challenges.
Various embodiments of unilateral implant holders and related methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary unilateral implant holder can include a surgical instrument that includes a unilateral locking mechanism arranged at a distal end of the instrument for rigidly holding an implant, such as a rod-to-rod connector or bone anchor. The locking mechanism can be configured to lock onto one end of an implant (i.e., a unilateral portion). For example, the locking mechanism can be configured to lock onto a unilateral portion of the implant such that access to an open recess or slot (e.g., for receiving a rod or a set screw) is not blocked. The locking mechanism can be configured to lock onto the unilateral portion of the implant by engaging a counterpart locking interface defined therein. By engaging the instrument's locking mechanism with the implant's counterpart locking interface, sufficient clamping force can be applied by the locking mechanism to resist multi-directional forces exerted on the implant during a surgical procedure. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument can be a stand-alone unilateral implant holder. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument can be configured to perform a surgical task while concurrently holding the implant in place using a unilateral locking mechanism. For example, the surgical instrument can include or be used with a rod reducer, a set screw inserter, or the like.
In some embodiments, a surgical instrument configured to unilaterally hold an implant can include a handle and a unilateral locking mechanism. The unilateral locking mechanism can include an elongated body having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end defining multiple locking elements configured to engage a unilateral portion of the implant. The locking elements can include a proximal facing bearing surface, a distal-facing bearing surface, and a lateral-facing bearing surface configured to engage counterpart surfaces of the unilateral portion of the implant. The proximal-facing bearing surface can be formed on a clasp movable upwards to engage the implant. The locking elements of the unilateral locking mechanism can be configured to engage the unilateral portion of the implant such that the locking elements are laterally offset from a proximal-distal axis of an open recess of the implant. The body of the unilateral locking mechanism can define a pair of spaced apart arms forming an implant-receiving pocket therebetween.
The distal-facing bearing surface of the unilateral locking mechanism can extend transversely between the pair of spaced apart arms. The distal-facing bearing surface can be configured to contact a counterpart proximal-facing bearing surface of the unilateral portion of the implant and to thereby constrain longitudinal movement of the implant in a proximal direction. The distal-facing bearing surface can be formed on a stop beam.
The lateral-facing bearing surface of the unilateral locking mechanism can protrude longitudinally along at least one of opposing faces of the pair of spaced apart arms at or adjacent to a front of the pocket. The lateral-facing bearing surface can be configured to mate and slide along a lateral-facing counterpart groove formed in the unilateral portion of the implant and to thereby constrain lateral movements of the implant. The lateral-facing bearing surface can be formed on an insertion tab.
The proximal-facing bearing surface of the clasp can be disposed between opposing faces of the pair of spaced apart arms at or adjacent to a back of the pocket. The proximal-facing bearing surface can be configured to interlock with a counterpart distal-facing bearing surface of the unilateral portion of the implant and to thereby constrain longitudinal movement of the implant in a distal direction. The proximal-facing bearing surface can be formed on a lateral protrusion of the clasp.
The surgical instrument can include a control shaft having a proximal end moveably coupled to the handle and a distal end coupled to the clasp. The control shaft can be configured to move longitudinally in a proximal direction and to thereby move the clasp into a locked configuration in which the proximal-facing bearing surface of the lateral protrusion engages the counterpart distal-facing bearing surface of the unilateral portion of the implant. The control shaft can be configured to move longitudinally in a distal direction and to thereby move the clasp into an unlocked configuration in which the proximal-facing bearing surface of the lateral protrusion releases the counterpart distal-facing bearing surface of the unilateral portion of the implant. The clasp can be movable upward and inward to lock the surgical instrument onto the unilateral portion of the implant and can be movable downward and outward to unlock the surgical instrument from the unilateral portion of the implant. The control shaft can be configured to move longitudinally in a proximal direction and thereby move the clasp upward to engage the unilateral portion of the implant and lock the surgical instrument onto the implant.
The surgical instrument can include a pin and slot interface defined between the control shaft and the body of the unilateral locking mechanism to guide movements of the clasp between the locked configuration and unlocked configuration. A spring element can be defined in a surface of the handle portion and configured to exert a force against the second control shaft so that the pin slides along an edge of the slot interface. The elongated body of the unilateral locking mechanism can include one or more body segments angled to offset a longitudinal axis of the handle from a proximal-distal axis of an open recess defined in a body of the implant.
In some embodiments, the surgical instrument can include a clasp guide. The clasp guide can include at least a pair of clasp guide structures protruding between opposing faces of the pair of spaced apart arms at or adjacent to a back of the pocket. The pair of clasp guide structures can have proximal-facing ramped bearing surfaces configured to urge the clasp upward and inward towards the locked configuration in response to proximal movements of the control shaft. The pair of clasp guide structures can have distal-facing ramped bearing surfaces configured to guide the clasp downward and outward away from the locked configuration in response to distal movements of the control shaft.
The clasp can have a narrow body region formed between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the clasp and configured to pass through a spatial region formed between opposing faces of the pair of clasp guide structures. The clasp can include at least a pair of counterpart distal-facing ramped bearing surfaces extending laterally at a proximal end of the narrow body region. The counterpart distal-facing ramped bearing surfaces of the clasp can be configured to slide against the proximal-facing ramped bearing surfaces of the clasp guide structures. The clasp can include at least a pair of counterpart proximal-facing ramped bearing surfaces extending laterally at a distal end of the narrow body region. The counterpart proximal-facing ramped bearing surfaces of the clasp can be configured to slide against the distal-facing ramped bearing surfaces of the clasp guide structures.
In some embodiments, the surgical instrument can include a clasp guide. The clasp guide can include a proximal-facing ramped bearing surface, at least a pair of distal-facing ramped bearing surfaces, and a lateral-facing vertical bearing surface for guiding lateral movements and longitudinal movements of the clasp between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration.
The proximal-facing ramped bearing surface can be formed on a lateral beam that extends transversely between the distal ends of the pair of spaced apart arms. The proximal-facing ramped bearing surface can be obliquely angled to engage a counterpart distal-facing ramped bearing surface of the clasp in response to distal movements of the control shaft and thereby guide lateral movements of the clasp outward away from the locked configuration.
The pair of distal-facing ramped bearing surfaces can be formed on distal ends of laterally opposing guide rails that extend longitudinally along the pair of spaced apart arms. The pair of distal-facing ramped bearing surfaces can be obliquely angled to engage a pair of counterpart proximal-facing ramped bearing surfaces of the clasp in response to proximal movements of the control shaft and thereby guide lateral movements of the clasp inward towards the locked configuration.
The lateral-facing vertical bearing surface can extend transversely between laterally opposing guide rails that extend longitudinally along the pair of spaced apart arms. The vertical bearing surface can be configured to engage a counterpart vertical bearing surface of the clasp and thereby guide longitudinal movements of the clasp between the locked and unlocked configurations in response to corresponding movements of the control shaft.
In some embodiments, the distal-facing bearing surface and the lateral-facing bearing surface can be formed on one or more prongs extending from the distal end of the elongated body of the unilateral locking mechanism. The lateral-facing bearing surface of each prong can slide along a lateral-facing counterpart groove formed in the unilateral portion of the implant to constrain lateral movements of the implant. The distal-facing bearing surface of each prong can contact a distal edge of the lateral-facing counterpart groove of the implant to constrain longitudinal movements of the implant in a proximal direction.
The surgical instrument can include a pocket formed in the distal end of the elongated body of the unilateral locking mechanism. The pocket can have a size and shape that accommodates the unilateral portion of the implant. The proximal-facing bearing surface of the clasp can be disposed through an opening at the back of the pocket. The proximal-facing bearing surface of the clasp can move upwards to interlock with a counterpart distal-facing bearing surface of the unilateral portion of the implant to constrain longitudinal movement of the implant in a distal direction. The size and the shape of the pocket can be configured to further accommodate a reduction tab proximally extending from the unilateral portion of the implant. The size and the shape of the pocket can be configured to further accommodate a distal head of an auxiliary instrument. The distal head of the auxiliary instrument can be a bell-shaped head of a nut driver. The surgical instrument can include a counter-torque lever extending substantially perpendicular to the handle.
In some embodiments, a surgical instrument configured to unilaterally hold an implant can include a handle and a unilateral locking mechanism. The unilateral locking mechanism can include an elongated body having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end defining multiple locking elements configured to engage a unilateral portion of the implant. The unilateral locking mechanism can include a tubular locking shaft, a partial tubular locking shaft segment, a clasp, and a locking sleeve. The partial tubular locking shaft segment can be formed at a distal end of the tubular locking shaft. A window can be formed in the partial tubular locking shaft segment exposing an implant-receiving pocket. The clasp can have a proximal clasp portion fixedly attached to an outer surface of the partial tubular shaft segment and a free distal clasp portion aligned with the window. The locking sleeve can be configured to slide longitudinally over the tubular locking shaft and the partial tubular shaft segment.
The free distal clasp portion can enter the window towards the implant-receiving pocket in response to the locking sleeve sliding distally over the free distal clasp portion. The free distal clasp portion can exit the window away from the implant-receiving pocket in response to the locking sleeve sliding proximally away from the free distal clasp portion. The free distal clasp portion can define a surface protrusion configured to engage a counterpart groove formed in the unilateral portion of the implant. The surface protrusion of the free distal clasp portion can be configured to engage the counterpart groove of the implant in response to entering the window towards the implant-receiving pocket. The surface protrusion can be configured to disengage the counterpart groove of the implant in response to the free distal clasp portion exiting the window away from the implant-receiving pocket.
The surgical instrument can include an auxiliary instrument configured to pass through the tubular locking shaft in alignment with a proximal-distal axis of the open recess formed in the implant. The auxiliary instrument can be at least one of a rod reducer and a set screw reducer.
In some embodiments, an implant can include an implant body defining a locking interface in a unilateral portion of the implant body. A proximal-distal axis of the locking interface can be laterally offset from a proximal-distal axis of an open recess formed in the implant. The locking interface can include a top surface of the unilateral portion of the implant, at least two spaced apart grooves formed in an outer surface of the unilateral portion of the implant, and a surface protrusion extending from the outer surface of the unilateral portion of the implant between the at least two spaced apart grooves. The implant can be a bone anchor or a rod-to-rod connector.
In some embodiments, a method of a securing an implant to a surgical instrument can include aligning a unilateral locking mechanism of the surgical instrument with a unilateral portion of the implant, inserting the unilateral locking mechanism onto the unilateral portion of the implant until a distal-facing bearing surface of the unilateral locking mechanism engages a counterpart proximal-facing bearing surface of the unilateral portion of the implant, and controlling movement of a clasp of the unilateral locking mechanism such that a bearing surface of the clasp engages a counterpart bearing surface of the unilateral portion of the implant. The method can further include inserting a rod into the implant while the implant is secured to the instrument.
Inserting the unilateral locking mechanism onto the unilateral portion of the implant can include sliding at least a pair of lateral-facing bearing surfaces along at least a pair of lateral-facing grooves defined along the unilateral portion of the implant. Where the distal-facing bearing surface of the unilateral locking mechanism includes a distal-facing bearing surface formed on one or more prongs extending from a distal end of the unilateral locking mechanism, inserting the unilateral locking mechanism onto the unilateral portion of the implant can include sliding the one or more prongs along one or more lateral-facing grooves defined along the unilateral portion of the implant until the distal-facing surface of the one or more prongs contacts a distal edge of the one or more lateral-facing grooves.
Controlling the movement of the clasp can include actuating a control shaft coupled to the clasp such that movements of the control shaft in a first direction cause a proximal-facing bearing surface of the clasp to engage a counterpart distal-facing bearing surface of the unilateral portion of the implant. Controlling the movement of the clasp can include sliding a locking sleeve over an outer portion of the clasp such that a surface protrusion formed on an inner portion of the clasp engages a counterpart groove formed in the unilateral portion of the implant.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the various embodiments.
Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. References made to particular examples and implementations are for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.
Various embodiments are disclosed herein of a surgical instrument that includes a unilateral locking mechanism arranged at a distal end of the instrument for rigidly holding an implant, such as a rod-to-rod connector or bone anchor. The locking mechanism may be configured to lock onto one end of an implant (i.e., a unilateral portion). For example, the locking mechanism may be configured to lock onto a unilateral portion of the implant such that access to an open recess or slot (e.g., for receiving a rod or a set screw) is not blocked. The locking mechanism may be configured to lock onto the unilateral portion of the implant by engaging a counterpart locking interface defined therein. By engaging the instrument's locking mechanism with the implant's counterpart locking interface, sufficient clamping force may be applied by the locking mechanism to resist multi-directional forces exerted on the implant during a surgical procedure. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may be a stand-alone unilateral implant holder. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may be configured to perform a surgical task while concurrently holding the implant in place using a unilateral locking mechanism. For example, the surgical instrument may include or be used with a rod reducer, a set screw inserter, or the like.
As shown, the locking interface of the implant 200 may include a top or proximal-facing bearing surface 210, laterally-facing grooves 220, and a distal-facing bearing surface 230. Each of these counterpart locking elements may be configured to contact, mate, interlock, or otherwise engage the locking elements of the instrument's locking mechanism 104, thereby constraining movement of the implant in all directions. For example, as shown in
The locking mechanism 106 may include a horizontal stop beam 306 that extends transversely between opposing faces of the arms 300. A height of the stop beam 306 relative to the distal end of the arms 300 may be configured to accommodate, or at least partially accommodate, the height of the unilateral portion of the implant. The stop beam 306 may have a distal-facing bearing surface 308 configured to contact the top or proximal bearing surface of the implant's locking interface (e.g., 210 of
The locking mechanism 106 may include a pair of opposing insertion tabs 310a and 310b (collectively 310) that protrude longitudinally along opposing faces of the arms 300 at or adjacent to the front of the pocket 302. The insertion tabs 310 may have lateral-facing bearing surfaces configured to mate and slide along lateral-facing counterpart grooves formed in the unilateral portion of the implant (e.g., grooves 220 of
The locking mechanism 106 may include a retractable clasp 314 disposed between the opposing faces of the arms 300 at or adjacent to the back of the pocket 302. The clasp 314 may include a generally rectangular-shaped body forming a lateral locking protrusion 318 that extends along a width of the distal end of the clasp 314. A proximal-facing bearing surface may be formed on the lateral locking protrusion 318 and configured to interlock with a counterpart distal-facing bearing surface formed in the unilateral portion of the implant (e.g., 230 of
The clasp 314 may be configured to move upward and inward towards a locked configuration in which the clasp's proximal-facing bearing surface 316 is forced against the distal-facing bearing surface of the implant's locking interface (e.g., 230 of
Once the implant's top bearing surface 210 contacts or abuts the stop beam 306, the clasp 314 may be engaged to lock the implant in place. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The proximal shaft portion 120 may have a knob 118 coupled to a proximal end and a threaded portion 502 at a distal end. The proximal shaft portion 120 may disposed within a hollow interior of the handle portion 102 by a retaining clip 112 and configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the handle portion in response to turning of the knob 118. A threaded portion 504 of the proximal shaft portion 120 may be threadably coupled to a proximal nut 508 of the distal shaft portion 122.
By threadably coupling the proximal and distal shaft portions, rotations of the proximal shaft portion 120 may induce translational movements of the distal shaft portion 122. For example, rotations of the proximal shaft portion 120 in one direction may cause the distal shaft portion 122 to move proximally away from the locking mechanism 104, such that the clasp 314 moves towards a locked configuration to engage the implant 200. Conversely, rotations of the proximal shaft portion 120 in an opposite direction may cause the distal shaft portion 122 to move distally towards the locking mechanism 104, such that the clasp 314 moves towards an unlocked configuration to disengage the implant 200.
A pin 114 and slot 116 interface may be configured to guide the translational movements of the distal shaft portion 122 between the locked and unlocked configurations. The pin 114 may be biased against an edge of the slot 116 using a spring-loaded biasing element 510 formed in the handle portion 104 of the elongated body. The spring-loaded biasing element 510 may be configured to exert a force on a surface protrusion 512 of the distal shaft portion 122 (e.g., a tooth), such that the exerted force urges the pin 114 to slide along an edge of the slot 116 during translation of the distal shaft portion 122.
With reference to
The clasp 610 may have a substantially rectangular body coupled to a control shaft 108 at a proximal end and a lateral locking protrusion 714 having a proximal-facing bearing surface 716 configured to engage the implant formed along the width of the distal end. The clasp 610 may further include a counterpart guide structure formed between the proximal and distal ends of the clasp. As shown, the counterpart guide structure may include a narrow body region 718 formed in the body of the clasp 610 between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the clasp. The narrow body region 718 may be configured to have a reduced width less than respective widths of the proximal portion and the distal portion of the clasp. The reduced width of the narrow body region 718 may be configured to pass through the width of the narrow spatial region 704 formed between the opposing faces of the guide structures 702. The counterpart guide structure may further include a pair of counterpart distal-facing ramped bearing surfaces 720a and 720b (collectively 720) extending laterally at a proximal end of the narrow body region 718 and a pair of counterpart proximal-facing ramped bearing surfaces 722a and 722b (collectively 722) extending laterally at a distal end of the narrow body region 718.
In operation, the clasp 610 may start from an unlocked configuration in which the clasp's proximal-facing bearing surface 716 is disengaged from the implant at a position located down and away relative to the implant in the pocket. As the control shaft 108 is moved in a proximal direction, the clasp 610 may be pulled upward such that the clasp's counterpart proximal-facing ramped bearing surfaces 722 begin to slide against the distal-facing ramped bearing surfaces 710 of the guide structures 702. The clasp 610 may continue to slide along the guide structures 702 until reaching the locked configuration at which the clasp's proximal-facing bearing surface 716 of the lateral locking protrusion 714 is forced against a distal-facing bearing surface of the implant (e.g., 230 of
As the control shaft 108 is moved a distal direction, the clasp 610 may be pushed downward, such that the clasp's counterpart distal-facing ramped bearing surfaces 720 begins to slide against the proximal-facing ramped bearing surfaces 708 of the guide structures 702. The clasp 610 may continue to slide along the guide structures 702 until reaching the unlocked configuration at which the clasp's proximal-facing bearing surface 716 of the lateral locking protrusion 714 is released from a distal-facing bearing surface of the implant (e.g., 230 of
With reference to
Proximal to the lateral beam 912, the guide's distal-facing ramped bearing surfaces 920 may be formed on the distal ends of laterally opposing guide rails 922a and 922b (collectively 922) that extend longitudinally along the arms 300 of the locking mechanism towards a proximal end. The guide's distal-facing ramped bearing surfaces 922 may be obliquely angled to guide the lateral movement of the clasp 810 away from an unlocked configuration towards the locked configuration (e.g., inward along the x-axis) in response to proximal movements of the control shaft 108. The guide's vertical bearing surface 930 may extend transversely between the opposing guide rails 922 forming an elongated recess. The guide's distal-facing vertical bearing surface 930 may be configured to guide longitudinal movements of the clasp 810 between the locked and unlocked configurations (e.g., along the y-axis) in response to proximal or distal movements of the control shaft 108.
The clasp 810 may have an elongated body with a proximal end coupled to a control shaft 108 and a distal end forming a lateral locking protrusion 950. The locking protrusion 950 of the clasp may have a proximally-facing bearing surface 952 formed thereon for engaging an implant (e.g., 200 of
The lateral-facing vertical bearing surface 958 of the clasp's guide structure may be formed on a substantially rectangular portion 960 that extends longitudinally between the proximal and distal ends of the clasp 810. The proximal-facing ramped bearing surfaces 954 of the clasp's guide structure may be formed on a proximal end of the lateral locking protrusion 950 on opposite sides of the vertical bearing surface 958. The distal-facing ramped bearing surface 956 of the clasp's guide structure may be formed along the width of the distal end of the lateral locking protrusion 950.
As the control shaft 108 is moved in a distal direction, the clasp 810 may be pushed downward, such that the clasp's counterpart distal-facing ramped bearing surface 956 begins to slide against the proximal-facing ramped bearing surface 910 of the lateral beam 912. The clasp 810 may continue to slide along the lateral beam 912 until reaching the unlocked configuration at which the clasp's proximal-facing bearing surface 952 of the lateral locking protrusion 950 is released from a distal-facing bearing surface of the implant (e.g., 230 of
The instrument 1100 may include a handle portion 1110, a rod reducing element 1120, and a unilateral locking mechanism 1130. The unilateral locking mechanism 1130 may include a tubular locking shaft 1140, a partial tubular locking shaft segment 1145, a locking sleeve 1150, a locking pin 1155, a clasp 1160, and a coupling mechanism 1170. The handle portion 1110 may be threadably coupled to a proximal end of the rod reducing element 1120, such that rotations of the handle portion 1110 may cause the rod reducing element 1120 to translate along a longitudinal axis defined therebetween. The handle portion 1110 may be further coupled to a proximal end of the tubular locking shaft 1140, such that the rod reducing element 1120 may extend longitudinally through the hollow interior of the tubular locking shaft 1140. A coupling mechanism 1170 of any type may be used to fix the handle portion 1110 to the proximal end of the tubular locking shaft 1140. The tubular locking shaft 1140 may define a cutaway portion at a distal end to form the partial tubular locking shaft 1145. The partial tubular locking shaft segment 1145 may include multiple locking elements, including the clasp 1160. The multiple locking elements may be configured to contact, mate, interlock, or otherwise engage counterpart locking elements defined in a unilateral locking interface of an implant. For example, as discussed in more detail below, the locking sleeve 1150 may be configured to slide longitudinally over the outer surface of the tubular locking shaft 1140 to engage or disengage the clasp 1160 relative to a unilateral portion of an implant. A locking pin 1155 may be inserted at a distal end of the locking sleeve 1150 perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve. Once inserted, the locking pin 1155 may extend transversely across an inner portion of the sleeve, such that the pin may exert a force against the clasp 1160 as the sleeve slides over it.
The partial tubular locking shaft segment 1145 may further include a clasp 1160 having a proximal end portion 1202 and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion 1202 of the clasp 1160 may be fixedly attached to an outer surface of the partial tubular locking shaft segment 1145. The distal end portion may be unattached to the locking shaft segment 1145, forming a free clasp head 1204. The free clasp head 1204 may be aligned with a window 1210 defined in the body of the locking shaft segment 1145 to expose the unilateral portion of an implant situated in the implant-receiving pocket (e.g., the pocket 302 of
As shown in
The locking elements may be configured to engage the unilateral portion of an implant such that the locking elements are laterally offset from a proximal-distal axis of an open recess for receiving, e.g., a screw, nut and/or a rod. At least one of the locking elements may include a clasp 1410 extending from a distal end of a control shaft 1408. The control shaft 1408 may be configured to move in response to rotation of a knob 1418 or other type of actuation control, thereby causing the clasp 1410 to lock or unlock the implant. The control shaft 1408 may include a proximal shaft portion 1420 threadably coupled to a distal shaft portion 1422. As described in more detail below, the locking elements may be configured to contact, mate, interlock, or otherwise engage counterpart locking elements defined in a unilateral locking interface of an implant.
As shown, the locking interface of the rod-to-rod connector 1500 may include a vertical groove or slot 1520 having a lateral-facing bearing surface formed in one or more of the sidewalls of the unilateral portion of the implant 1510 below the extended reduction tab 1502. The groove 1520 may also have a proximal-facing bearing surface formed on a distal edge 1525 of the groove or slot 1520. The grooves 1520 may intersect with the recess 1504a, as shown in
The locking mechanism may further include one or more prongs 1620a and 1620b (collectively or individually 1620) extending distally from the elongated body 1600. As shown, a pair of prongs 1620 may extend distally from a pair of arms 1650a and 1650b (collectively or individually 1650). Each prong 1620 may have a lateral-facing bearing surface 1622 and a distal-facing bearing surface 1624. The lateral-facing bearing surface 1622 of each prong 1620 may be configured to slide along a lateral-facing counterpart groove or slot formed in the sidewall of the unilateral portion of the implant (e.g. 1520 of
The locking mechanism may further include a retractable clasp 1630 disposed between the opposing faces of the spaced apart arms 1650 and through an opening at the back of the implant-receiving pocket 1612. The clasp 1630 may have a substantially rectangular body coupled at a proximal end to a control shaft (e.g., 1408 of
The clasp 1630 may be configured to move upward and inward towards a locked configuration in which the clasp's proximal-facing bearing surface 1634 is forced against the distal-facing bearing surface of the implant's locking interface (e.g., 1530 of
As shown, the clasp 1630 may have a structure and operation similar to the clasp 610 shown and described with reference to
Exemplary implants in which counterpart locking elements for use with the instruments described herein can be incorporated are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/073,020 filed on Mar. 17, 2016 and entitled “MULTIPOINT FIXATION IMPLANTS” (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,962,192); U.S. application Ser. No. 15/158,127 filed on May 18, 2016 and entitled “IMPLANT CONNECTORS AND RELATED METHODS” (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,517,647); U.S. application Ser. No. 15/284,587 filed on Oct. 4, 2016 and entitled “IMPLANT CONNECTORS AND RELATED METHODS” (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,321,939); U.S. application Ser. No. 15/377,449 filed on Dec. 13, 2016 and entitled “IMPLANT ADAPTERS AND RELATED METHODS” (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,398,476); U.S. application Ser. No. 15/471,075 filed on Mar. 28, 2017 and entitled “ARTICULATING IMPLANT CONNECTORS AND RELATED METHODS” (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,561,454); U.S. application Ser. No. 15/430,188 filed on Feb. 10, 2017 and entitled “TANDEM ROD CONNECTORS AND RELATED METHODS” (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,238,432); and U.S. application Ser. No. 15/208,872 filed on Jul. 13, 2016 and entitled “BONE ANCHOR ASSEMBLIES AND RELATED INSTRUMENTATION” (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,463,402): each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
While the instruments and methods illustrated and described herein generally involve attaching to spinal implant hardware, it will be appreciated that the instruments and methods herein can be used with various other types of fixation or stabilization hardware, in any bone, in non-bone tissue, or in non-living or non-tissue objects. The implants disclosed herein can be fully implanted, or can be used as part of an external fixation or stabilization system. The devices and methods disclosed herein can be used in minimally-invasive surgery and/or open surgery.
The devices disclosed herein and the various component parts thereof can be constructed from any of a variety of known materials. Exemplary materials include those which are suitable for use in surgical applications, including metals such as stainless steel, titanium, or alloys thereof, polymers such as PEEK, ceramics, carbon fiber, and so forth. The various components of the devices disclosed herein can be rigid or flexible. One or more components or portions of the device can be formed from a radiopaque material to facilitate visualization under fluoroscopy and other imaging techniques, or from a radiolucent material so as not to interfere with visualization of other structures. Exemplary radiolucent materials include carbon fiber and high-strength polymers.
The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use what is described. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/843,618, filed on Dec. 15, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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| 20210177469 A1 | Jun 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 15843618 | Dec 2017 | US |
| Child | 17187716 | US |
