Granted Patent B2

US 8,038,699 · App. 11/527,246 · Granted Oct 18, 2011

Abstract

Claims (33)

1. A percutaneous tower for the orthopedic procedures comprising:

an outer elongated member defining a first channel and a second channel;

a channel divider coupled to a proximal portion of the outer elongated member and selectively movable to separate the first channel from the second channel;

an inner elongated member received within the outer elongated member;

a release actuator operable to move the inner elongated member relative to the outer elongated member between first and second positions; and

a fastener engagement member coupled to a distal portion of the tower and operable to engage a bone fastener when the inner elongated member is in the first position, and to disengage the bone fastener when the inner elongated member is in the second position,

wherein the channel divider comprises two arms pivotable from a first position in which the arms do not restrict communication between the first and second channels to a second position in which the arms at least partially restrict communication between the first and second channels.

2. The tower of claim 1 , wherein the fastener engagement member comprises a pair of opposing elements coupled to the distal portion of the inner elongated member and biased to protrude away from the inner elongated member when the inner elongated member is in the second position.

3. The tower of claim 2 , wherein each element includes a protrusion for engaging a bone fastener when the inner elongated member is in the first position.

4. The tower of claim 1 , wherein the first and second channels have first and second longitudinal axes, the second longitudinal axis being substantially parallel and transversely offset relative to the first longitudinal axis.

5. The tower of claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the second channel is defined in a proximal angled portion of the outer elongated member.

6. The tower of claim 4 , further comprising first and second opposing elongated slots, each elongated slot communicating at least with the first channel.

7. The tower of claim 6 , wherein the first and second elongated slots have different lengths and are structured for instrument side entry.

8. The tower of claim 1 further comprising a locking element coupled to the tower and operable to selectively lock the release actuator.

9. A percutaneous tower for the orthopedic procedures comprising:

an outer elongated member;

an inner elongated member received within the outer elongated member; and

a release actuator operable to move the inner elongated member relative to the outer elongated member between first and second positions, the inner elongated member at least partially retracted relative to the outer elongated member in first position, the inner elongated member at least partially extended relative to the outer elongated member in the second position, the release actuator communicating with a proximal portion of a first channel of the tower, the release actuator including a pair of release members pivotably coupled to proximal portions of the outer and inner elongated members; and

a locking element coupled to the tower and operable to lock the release actuator in the first position,

wherein each of the release members defines a tool-engaging inner groove.

10. The tower of claim 9 , wherein the locking element is an external ring.

11. The tower of claim 9 , wherein the locking element is a tool insertable into the proximal portion of the tower.

12. The tower of claim 9 , further comprising a fastener engagement member coupled to a distal portion of the inner elongated member and a distal portion of the outer elongated member and operable to engage a bone fastener when the inner elongated member is in the first position, and to disengage the bone fastener when the inner elongated member is in the second position.

13. The tower of claim 12 , wherein the fastener engagement member comprises a pair of opposing elements coupled to the distal portion of the inner elongated member and biased to protrude away from the inner elongated member when the inner elongated member is in the second position.

14. The tower of claim 13 , wherein each element includes a protrusion for engaging a bone fastener when the inner elongated member is in the first position.

15. A percutaneous tower for the orthopedic procedures comprising:

an outer elongated member;

an inner elongated member received within the outer elongated member;

a pair of release members operable to move the inner elongated member relative to the outer elongated member between first and second positions; and

a pair of opposing elements coupled to a distal portion of the inner elongated member, the elements biased to protrude away from the inner elongated member when the inner elongated member is in the second position, each element including a protrusion directed into the tower when the inner elongated member is in the first position,

wherein the tower defines first and second longitudinal channels having parallel first and second longitudinal axes respectively, the second longitudinal channel defined in an angled proximal portion of the outer elongated member, and a channel divider is movably coupled to the angled proximal portion for selectively restricting at least partially communication between the first and second channels.

16. The tower of claim 15 , wherein the inner elongated member is at least partially retracted relative to the outer elongated member in first position, and the inner elongated member at least partially extended relative to the outer elongated member in the second position.

17. The tower of claim 15 , further comprising a locking element coupled to the tower and operable to selectively lock the release elements.

Assignments (8)