Posterolateral instrumentation treatment system and methods
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12594098-B2
Publication Date
2026-04-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for controlled delivery of fluids to the exterior of bone and surrounding tissue of a patient includes providing a cannulated bone rod. The method further includes creating an aperture in the skin of a patient and fixating the rod along bones or bone fragments using a spinal fixation system through the aperture. A spinal fixation system includes a bone screw having a longitudinal access and a bone rod configured to connect the bone screw to at least one additional bone screw. The bone rod is lateral to the longitudinal axis. The method further includes the steps of providing a fluid source, coupling the fluid source to the bone rod, and delivering a fluid from the fluid source into the bone rod. An additional method includes using the fixation system as a point of drainage for the posterolateral fusion site.
Core Innovation
A system and kit are disclosed for selectively connecting drainage and medicament pathways to a bone rod. The bone rod includes an interior chamber extending along at least a portion of its length, and a plurality of fenestrations extending from the interior chamber to an external surface. Flexible tubing is configured to be removably coupled to the bone rod so that the tubing is in fluid communication with the interior chamber through the fenestrations.
A removable connector provides the selective removable coupling between the bone rod and the flexible tubing. The removable connector is configured to selectively connect to the bone rod via at least one of an annular ridge, one or more lips, an adhesive, one or more clips, one or more clamps, sutures, or press-fitting, such that the removable connector is secured unless subjected to removal forces exceeding a first characteristic force. The first characteristic force is constrained to be non-zero and less than a specified fraction of a second characteristic force sufficient to separate the connector from the flexible tubing.
In surgical use, bone screws are fixed into respective portions of bone and the bone rod is fixed to the bone screws. The flexible tubing is coupled to the bone rod during the surgical intervention, and subsequent to the end of the surgical intervention the flexible tubing is removed by applying a force greater than the first characteristic force sufficient to uncouple the connector from the bone rod and less than the second characteristic force sufficient to separate the connector from the flexible tubing.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent claims. Each independent claim focuses on selective drainage and medicament pathways using a removable connector, a fenestrated bone rod with an interior chamber, and post-intervention removal of flexible tubing based on characteristic forces.
Removable connector with characteristic-force selective coupling
A removable connector configured to selectively connect to the bone rod, thereby securing the removable connector to the bone rod unless subjected to removal forces that exceed a first characteristic force, with coupling by at least one of an annular ridge, one or more lips, an adhesive, one or more clips, one or more clamps, sutures, or press-fitting.
Flexible tubing forming medicament-delivery and fluid-removal pathway
A flexible tubing connected to the removable connector to form a pathway for delivering medicaments or removing fluid in a region of the bone rod, with the first characteristic force less than a specified fraction of a second characteristic force sufficient to separate the connector from the flexible tubing.
Fenestrated bone rod with interior chamber and fluid communication
A bone rod having an interior chamber extending along at least a portion of its length and a plurality of fenestrations extending from the interior chamber to an external surface, with the flexible tubing configured to be in fluid communication with the interior chamber when removably coupled.
Surgical coupling and post-intervention tubing removal by characteristic-force selection
Fixing bone screws into respective portions of bone, fixing a bone rod to the bone screws, coupling flexible tubing to the bone rod during the surgical intervention so the flexible tubing is in fluid communication with the interior chamber via a connector removably coupled to the bone rod, and subsequent to the end of the surgical intervention removing the flexible tubing by applying a force greater than a first characteristic force and less than a second characteristic force.
Connector secured using adhesive, suture, clip, or clamp with resorbable or weakening behavior
Removably coupling the flexible tubing to the bone rod via the connector using an adhesive, a suture, a clip, or a clamp to secure the connector to the bone rod, with a portion of the adhesive, suture, clip, or clamp being resorbable or composed of a material that weakens over time.
The independent claims center on a removable connector-based selective coupling of flexible tubing to a fenestrated bone rod having an interior chamber, with attachment governed by characteristic-force relationships and, in the method claim, post-intervention tubing removal and connector attachment portions that are resorbable or weaken over time.
Stated Advantages
Reduced postoperative infections.
Reduced seroma formation.
Reduced need for debridement.
Improved pain control/mobility.
Potentially improved fusion rates.
Potentially reduced tumor recurrence.
Reduced heterotopic ossification.
Documented Applications
Delivering medicaments to patient tissues through flexible tubing and a bone rod interior chamber using fenestrations, including delivery from a reservoir.
Draining fluid from a patient through an interior chamber and through at least some fenestrations using a needle or trocar.
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