Dynamic spinal stabilization assemblies, tool set and method
View Patent ↗A hinged bone screw and tool set is used for implanting such bone screws in a human spine, followed by the implantation of a longitudinal connecting member into the bone screws. The hinged bone screw includes a shank with an upper portion and a receiver with integral arms forming a U-shaped channel. A lower curved seat partially defining the U-shaped channel cooperates with an upper portion of the bone screw shank for hinged movement of the shank with respect to the receiver. The tool set includes an insertion tool, a bone screw driver, a reduction tool and a closure starter. The insertion tool includes a bone screw attachment structure and a laterally opening channel. The insertion tool further includes a threaded portion for cooperation with the reduction tool to provide synchronized placement of a closure structure in the bone screw receiver while reducing and capturing a longitudinal connecting member within the receiver. Further alternative bone screws are hinged, polyaxial or fixed and include lordosing or kyphosing lateral surfaces.
1. In an insertion tool having an elongate body with a tool attachment structure at a lower end thereof adapted to be secured to an implant including a receiver with a channel formed by a pair of upwardly extending arms with internal surfaces having threads and external surfaces configured for attachment with the tool attachment structure, the improvement comprising:
a) a through bore defining an interior of the body of the tool, the interior having tool threads formed in the body of the tool at an upper portion thereof opposite the lower end of the body;
b) a laterally opening channel formed in the body and communicating with the interior of the body, the laterally opening channel extending upwardly from the lower end of the body to the upper portion thereof so as to provide side access to the interior of the body, a portion of the laterally opening channel being sized to receive a longitudinal connecting member; and
c) the tool threads being sized and shaped for rotating mating engagement with a reduction tool configured to reduce a longitudinal connecting member down into a channel of a receiver to be engaged by the tool.