TECHNICAL FIELD

This document pertains generally, but not by way of limitation, to instruments and methods for surgical procedures, such as can be used in spinal procedures. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, the present application relates to rod reducing devices.

BACKGROUND

A spinal column can require correction of spinal deformities and abnormalities resulting from trauma or degenerative issues. Various methods of correcting issues with the spinal column can include fusing adjacent vertebrae together or immobilizing the spinal column with a rod system. For example, fasteners or other fixation devices can be attached to multiple vertebra, with each fastener serving as an anchor point for attaching the rod. The fasteners can be inserted into the vertebrae at a pedicle area of the bone such that the rod can be positioned between the spinous process and the transverse process. Rods can be placed on either side of the spinal column and can span several vertebrae. Sometimes it can be advantageous to utilize instruments to facilitate assembly of the rod with the fastener.

Examples of surgical instrumentation devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. RE44,296 to Beale et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,747,409 to Ichelmann et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,679,128 to Seelig; U.S. Pat. No. 8,192,438 to Garamszegi; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,835 to Oribe et al.

OVERVIEW

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that a problem to be solved can include the inability of surgeons to reposition rod reducers once attached to a bone anchor and/or rod. Specifically, the present inventor(s) have recognized that some rod reducers having actuation handles that are fixed in an operating plane relative to the axis of reduction cannot be readily used, if at all, adjacent another bone anchor having a rod reducer attached thereto. As such, it is difficult or impractical to reduce multiple adjacent vertebra levels simultaneously, such as can be advantageous in spinal deformity applications.

The present subject matter can help provide a solution to this problem, such as by providing a rod reducer that can be actuated in multiple positions relative to the direction of reduction. In particular, a rod reducer can include actuation handles that can be actuated in any vertical plane extending parallel to the rod reduction axis to provide rod-reducing action. Furthermore, the rod-reducing actuation handles can be angled relative to the rod reduction axis to provide additional clearance between adjacent rod reducers and to provide ergonomic and mechanical benefits to the operator.

In an example, a rod reducer can comprise a first elongate member, a second elongate member configured to slide along the first elongate member, a first bearing component rotatably connected to the first elongate member, a second bearing component rotatably connected to the second elongate member, a hinge mechanism and first and second handles. The hinge mechanism can comprise a first pair of linkages pivotably coupled to the first bearing component, a second pair of linkages pivotably coupled to the second bearing component, first and second rotation elements connecting the first pair of linkages and the second pair of linkages, and first and second lever arms extending from the second pair of linkages. The first and second handles can be connected to the first and second lever arms, respectively, and can be configured to cause the second pair of linkages to draw the first bearing component and the first elongate member toward the second beating component. The first bearing component and the second bearing component can permit the hinge mechanism to rotate about the first and second elongate members.

In another example, a rod reducer can comprise a reducing mechanism, a hinge mechanism, a handle mechanism and a bearing mechanism. The reducing mechanism can comprise a first elongate member extending along an axis and configured to engage a bone anchor, and a second elongate member configured to slide along the first elongate member along the axis and configured to engage a rod. The hinge mechanism can slidably couple the first elongate member and the second elongate member such that the first elongate member can translate relative to the second elongate member. The handle mechanism can comprise a pair of handles coupled to the hinge mechanism and configured to cause the first and second elongate members to translate relative to each other. The bearing mechanism can be configured to permit the handle mechanism to rotate about the axis independent of the first and second elongate members.

In an additional example, a method of reducing multiple levels of a spinal column in a surgical procedure to correct a spinal deformity can comprise implanting a first bone anchor to a first vertebra, the first bone anchor including a first housing having a first opening to receive a rod, implanting a second bone anchor to a second vertebra, the second bone anchor including a second housing having a second opening to receive the rod, implanting a third bone anchor to a third vertebra, the third bone anchor including a third housing having a third opening to receive the rod, positioning the rod in the first opening, securing the rod to the first housing, positioning the rod proximate the second opening and the third opening, coupling a first rotating rod reducer to the second housing, reducing the rod into the second housing using the first rotating rod reducer, rotating a first pair of handles of the first rotating rod reducer away from the third bone anchor, such as into a transverse plane of the spinal column, reducing the rod into the third housing using an additional rod reducer and securing the rod to the second and third housings. The first rotating rod reducer can comprise first and second reducing elements that are configured to slide relative to each other, and the first pair of a handles configured to slide the first and second reducing elements relative to each other when actuated. The first pair of handles can be configured to rotate about an axis of the first and second reducing elements.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of the present patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detailed description is included to provide further information about the present patent application.

