Bone anchor head extender
Inventors
LENGYEL, REBECCA BOERIGTER • Harper, Ryan • Lubensky, Scott • Daniels, David Wayne • Gibbs, Collin • Luhmann, Scott J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11547453-B2
Publication Date
2023-01-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A pedicle screw tulip head extender. The extender can include an upper body portion joined to a lower body portion. The upper body portion can have two opposing arms extending upwardly from a curved lower surface to define a substantially U-shaped interior channel having a first channel axis, the curved lower surface defining an access opening extending through the upper body portion in a direction generally perpendicular to the first channel axis. The lower body portion can extend downwardly as a protrusion from the upper body portion and can be joined to the upper body portion and can have first and second sides, the first and second sides being substantially planar and parallel and separated by an interior portion, the first and second sides defining a protrusion height and a protrusion width. A screw can be disposed in the interior portion and have external threads defining a thread diameter greater than the protrusion width.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a pedicle screw tulip head extender configured to elevate or laterally reposition a spinal fixation rod relative to a fixed pedicle screw. The extender comprises an upper body portion forming a substantially U-shaped interior channel and a lower body portion that carries a screw with external threads configured to engage inner threads of a tulip head. The upper body portion includes an access opening oriented generally perpendicular to the channel axis, and the lower body portion defines opposing windows.
Another configuration includes a mounting rod that is generally straight at a first end and turned at an angle at a second end. The angled second end carries a rod securing body portion having two opposing arms defining a substantially U-shaped interior channel. The extender permits placement of the spinal fixation rod without disturbing the pedicle screw and serves to increase rod-seat elevation relative to the screw.
Claims Coverage
The claims recite four independent claims, each directed to configurations of a pedicle screw tulip head extender and presenting four inventive features.
U-channel extender body with a threaded screw
Claim 1 recites an upper body portion with opposing arms defining a substantially U-shaped interior channel and an access opening generally perpendicular to the channel axis, joined to a lower body portion with substantially planar, parallel sides. A screw in an interior portion of the lower body portion has external threads with a diameter greater than the protrusion width.
Angled mounting rod with an elevated rod securing body
Claim 9 recites a mounting rod that is generally straight at a first end and turned at an angle at a second end. The second end carries a rod securing body portion with two opposing internally threaded arms extending from a curved lower surface to define a substantially U-shaped interior channel whose axis is at an elevation higher than the central rod axis.
Windowed lower body with screw threads engaging a tulip head
Claim 15 recites an upper body portion with a substantially U-shaped interior channel and a generally perpendicular access opening, joined to a lower body portion defining two opposing windows. A screw in the lower portion has external threads extending partially out of the windows and configured to engage inner threads of a tulip head.
Windowed extender with threads wider than lower protrusion engaging tulip arms
Claim 16 recites an upper body portion with a substantially U-shaped interior channel and a generally perpendicular access opening, joined to a lower body portion with opposing windows. A screw in the lower portion has external threads with a diameter greater than the protrusion width, configured to engage inner threads of first and second tulip arms when the lower portion is inserted into a tulip head channel.
The independent claims cover three body-and-screw extender configurations for engagement with a tulip head and one angled mounting rod configuration carrying a rod securing body. Shared elements include a substantially U-shaped interior channel, with the body-and-screw claims further reciting an access opening and external screw threads.
Stated Advantages
Allows spinal fixation rod placement without disturbing the fixed pedicle screw.
May reduce stress on the rod, screw, and bone.
Documented Applications
Elevating or laterally repositioning a spinal fixation rod relative to a fixed pedicle screw.
Engagement with a pedicle screw tulip head, wherein external screw threads engage inner threads of tulip arms when the lower portion is inserted into a tulip head channel.
Engagement with a rod-reducing tool via a pocket in the upper body portion or rod securing body portion.
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