IP Library Granted Patent US 9,526,537
Granted Patent B2
US 9,526,537 · App. 13/957,218 · Granted Dec 27, 2016

Instrument and method for reducing and securing spinal rods

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,526,537
App. No.
13/957,218
Granted
Dec 27, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An instrument for reducing a fixation rod within a screw extender that attaches to a spinal implant includes first, second, and third cannulated bodies and an inserter shaft. The first cannulated body includes a proximal end that couples with the screw extender. The second cannulated body rotates within the first cannulated body and includes a proximal end with a first driving feature and a distal end with an internal threaded portion. The third cannulated body includes a proximal end that engages the internal threaded portion and a distal end with a rod pusher for engaging the fixation rod. The inserter shaft rotates within the third cannulated body and includes a proximal end with a second driving feature and a distal end with a setscrew attachment feature.

Claims (14)

1. An instrument for reducing a fixation rod within a screw extender that attaches to a spinal implant, comprising:

a screw extender with a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having internal threads and the distal end configured to attach to the spinal implant;

a first cannulated body with a proximal end, the proximal end of the first cannulated body having external threads that couple with the internal threads of the proximal end of the screw extender;

a second cannulated body that rotates within the first cannulated body and that includes a proximal end with a first driving feature and a distal end with an internal threaded portion;

a third cannulated body with a proximal end that engages the internal threaded portion and a distal end with a rod pusher for engaging the fixation rod; and

an inserter shaft that rotates within the third cannulated body and that includes a proximal end with a second driving feature and a distal end with a setscrew attachment feature.

2. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein rotation of the second cannulated body positions the third cumulated body to reduce the fixation rod within at least one of the screw extender and the spinal implant.

3. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the setscrew attachment feature retains a setscrew rotates to engage the setscrew with the spinal implant for securing the fixation rod within the spinal implant.

4. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the rod pusher includes a pair of cantilevered arms extending distally away from the third cannulated body.

5. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first driving feature attaches to a removable handle for rotating the second cannulated body.

6. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the rod pusher includes a ridge for engagement with a slot within the screw extender.

7. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the rod pusher includes a curved engagement surface configured to engage a curved surface of the fixation rod.

8. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a quick connect sleeve for coupling the first cumulated body with the screw extender.

9. The instrument of claim 8 , further comprising a handle including a first actuation feature that engages the first driving feature and a second actuation feature that engages the second driving feature.

Assignments (17)
CONFIRMATORY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded May 12, 2026
From: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.; SAFEOP SURGICAL, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 075560/0884 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL AT REEL/FRAME NO. 62310/0001 Recorded May 1, 2026
From: MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST, AS AGENT
To: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.; SAFEOP SURGICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 075316/0001 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME NO. 62681/0020 Recorded May 1, 2026
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
To: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.; SAFEOP SURGICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 075385/0575 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2023
From: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.; SAFEOP SURGICAL, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 062681/0020 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2023
From: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.; SAFEOP SURGICAL, INC.
To: MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST
Reel/Frame 062310/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AT REEL/FRAME NO. 036515/0808 Recorded Sep 27, 2022
From: MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST, AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MIDCAP FINANCIAL, LLC
To: ALPHATEC HOLDINGS, INC.; ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.; ALPHATEC INTERNATIONAL LLC; ALPHATEC PACIFIC, INC.
Reel/Frame 061554/0608 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL AT REEL/FRAME NO. 47494/0562 Recorded Aug 11, 2021
From: SQUADRON MEDICAL FINANCE SOLUTIONS LLC
To: ALPHATEC HOLDINGS, INC.; ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 057177/0687 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2018
From: ALPHATEC HOLDINGS, INC.; ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.
To: SQUADRON MEDICAL FINANCE SOLUTIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 047494/0562 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 8, 2018
From: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
To: ALPHATEC HOLDINGS, INC.; ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 047485/0084 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT SERIAL NUMBER 13060424 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 036515 FRAME: 0808. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Apr 10, 2017
From: ALPHATEC HOLDINGS, INC.; ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.; ALPHATEC INTERNATIONAL LLC; ALPHATEC PACIFIC, INC.
To: MIDCAP FINANCIAL LLC
Reel/Frame 042214/0845 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INADVERTENT INCLUSION OF APP. NO. 13252427 IN THE CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039537 FRAME 0252. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Nov 17, 2016
From: ALPHATEC HOLDINGS INC.; ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.; ALPHATEC INTERNATIONAL LLC; ALPHATEC PACIFIC, INC.
To: MIDCAP FINANCIAL LLC
Reel/Frame 040649/0808 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INADVERTENT INCLUSION OF APP. NO. 13252427 IN THE SECURITY INTEREST RECORDATION PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 036515 FRAME 0808. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AS TO THE PROPERTIES BELOW. Recorded Sep 28, 2016
From: ALPHATEC HOLDINGS, INC.; ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.; ALPHATEC INTERNATIONAL LLC; ALPHATEC PACIFIC, INC.
To: MIDCAP FINANCIAL LLC
Reel/Frame 040170/0945 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 22, 2016
From: ALPHATEC HOLDINGS, INC.; ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.
To: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 040108/0202 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2016
From: DEERFIELD PRIVATE DESIGN FUND II, L.P.; DEERFIELD PRIVATE DESIGN INTERNATIONAL II, L.P.; DEERFIELD SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND, L.P.; DEERFIELD SPECIAL SITUATIONS INTERNATIONAL MASTER FUND, L.P.
To: ALPHATEC HOLDINGS, INC.; ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.; ALPHATEC INTERNATIONAL LLC; ALPHATEC PACIFIC, INC.
Reel/Frame 039950/0360 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2015
From: ALPHATEC HOLDINGS, INC; ALPHATEC SPINE, INC; ALPHATEC INTERNATIONAL LLC; ALPHATEC PACIFIC, INC.
To: MIDCAP FINANCIAL LLC
Reel/Frame 036515/0808 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2014
From: ALPHATEC HOLDINGS, INC.; ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.; ALPHATEC INTERNATIONAL LLC; ALPHATEC PACIFIC, INC.
To: DEERFIELD PRIVATE DESIGN FUND II, L.P.; DEERFIELD PRIVATE DESIGN INTERNATIONAL II, L.P.; DEERFIELD SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND, L.P.; DEERFIELD SPECIAL SITUATIONS INTERNATIONAL MASTER FUND, L.P.
Reel/Frame 032551/0037 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2013
From: MEYER, NATHAN; PARIKH, ANAND
To: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 031192/0128 →