Screw and rod fixation system

Abstract

A pedicle screw and rod fixation assembly including a pair of opposing tabs having a proximal end and a distal end, the pair of opposing tabs being coupled to one another about the distal end thereof by a screw head member, a decoupling mechanism for decoupling the pair of opposing tabs from the screw head member, a rod receiving slot between the pair of opposing tabs, and a sliding member configured for coupling to the pair of opposing tabs. The sliding member and the pair of opposing tabs are configured for allowing movement of the sliding member distally along the pair of opposing tabs and preventing movement of the sliding member proximally along the pair of opposing tabs.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 080,482, filed on Apr. 5, 2011 and titled, “Screw and Rod Fixation System,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to spinal implants. More particularly, the present invention relates to screw fixation assemblies for use with bone fixation systems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Spinal deformity surgery is a complex technical procedure that can involve numerous implants and techniques to achieve a straightening of the spine in three dimensions. There is a sagital plane that may contain an increased or decreased lordosis or kyphosis, a coronal plane that may contain a left / right curvature of the spine and an axial plane that may contain a rotational deformity. All three planes must be addressed if a result that leaves the patient functional and provides acceptable cosmesis is to be achieved.[0004]Curr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a screw and rod fixation system that improves spine correction procedures by enhancing reduction capabilities without adding the need for a set screw the entire length of every extended tab. The reduction mechanism can be made much longer which facilitates rod introduction along the entire length of the spine prior to any forces being applied. Splaying of the extended tabs is not an issue because a collar prevents the tabs from splaying outward and the rod prevents inward splay. This also allows for the simultaneous introduction of two separate rods which reduces the amount of localized force on any given anchor and distributes the corrective load among many of the anchors. The reduction of the rods into the bottom of the screw heads is carried out by pushing the collars downward, which retains them in place and prevents them from sliding back up the extended tabs. The assembled spine can then be corrected by sequentially moving up and down the spine from screw to screw and on both sides of the spine, distributing the corrective forces over the entire spine. The effect is better tactile feedback during the reduction maneuver and improved load distribution, reducing the chances of screw pullout. The invention allows for controlled force application using multiple instruments simultaneously or assistants, which avoids excessive force on any single anchor.

Problems solved by technology

In certain cases, the physician is unable to introduce the rod into all of the fixation points or bring the rod and fixation points together.

This can occur if the spine is severely deformed which causes the fixation points to be misaligned.

When this occurs, the physician bends the rod in such a way that it can be introduced into the fixation points, but this compromises the correction.

Obviously, the introduction of a rod into a deformed spine can be very challenging to do so there have been many instruments designed to help forcibly bring the spine and the rod together.

Often, when an instrument is used to force the mating of the rod and anchor, the anchor can pull out of the bone because the force is too great.

Also, while reducing the rod into one anchor, it may miss the anchor above or below because the alignment of the rod and the spine do not match.

Further, longer extension tabs are prone to “splay” when reduction forces are applied.

This can cause the set screw to disengage or cross-thread.

Instruments have been designed to control the splaying effect, but they tend to complicate the procedure.

Yet another shortcoming of reduction screws is that the amount of torque they require to drive a rod into the screw seat is difficult to translate into actual downward force by the physician.

This can cause the pedicle screw to pull out of the bone thus causing the loss of a fixation point.

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