HOOK INSERTER
Instruments and systems for performing spinal fixation are provided. The instruments and system configured to position and force fit a hook onto a pedicle bone. The systems include a hook and an instrument. The instrument includes a handle and a rod fixedly mounted to a distal end of the handle. The instrument includes a hook support portion having a hood. The hood includes an opening, a support wall, a post and a threaded knob. The support wall is configured to support the hook. The post has a bottom surface dimensioned similar to that of a spinal rod. The threaded knob is mounted within the opening of the hood and engages a pair of threaded sidewalls of a rod support portion of the hook so as to pull the hook into a fixed engagement with the post, securing the hook support portion to the post.
1 . An instrument configured to position and force fit a hook onto a pedicle bone, the instrument comprising:
a handle;
a rod fixedly mounted to a distal end of the handle; and
a hook support portion, the hook support portion having a hood, the hood having an opening, the hook support portion further including a support wall, a post and a threaded knob, the support wall configured to support the hook, the post having a bottom surface dimensioned similar to that of a spinal rod; the threaded knob mounted within the opening of the hood, the threaded knob configured to engage a pair of threaded sidewalls of a rod support portion of the hook so as to pull the hook into a fixed engagement with the post, securing the hook support portion to the post.
2 . The instrument as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of the handle may be configured to have a rigid surface to absorb impact from a hammer.
3 . The instrument as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the support wall has a support surface that is generally angled 45 degrees relative to the rod.
4 . The instrument as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the hook support portion is a generally solid member having a pair of support walls and a back surface which is generally coaxial to the rod.
5 . The instrument as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a bottom portion of the post is radiused.
6 . The instrument as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the post may have a pair of generally planar side walls opposite each other and a planar top surface and a planar distal end.
7 . The instrument as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the hood is integrally formed to the support wall of the hook support portion.
8 . The instrument as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the opening has a diameter sufficient to receive the threaded knob.
9 . A system for fixing two adjacent vertebrae together by attaching to a pedicle bone of each of the two adjacent vertebrae to a spinal rod, the system comprising:
a hook having a pedicle receiving portion and a rod support portion, the pedicle receiving portion having a blade, wherein the blade is curved so as to form a generally C-shaped cross section wherein the blade is configured to engage the pedicle bone, the rod support portion is integrally formed to the blade and includes a rod seating portion, wherein the rod seating portion is a generally tubular portion configured to receive the spinal rod, the rod seating portion further including a pair of sidewalls extending upwardly and are spaced apart from each other so as to define a channel;
an instrument having a handle, a rod fixedly mounted to a distal end of the handle, and a hook support portion, the hook support portion having a hood, the hood having an opening, the hook support portion further including a support wall, a post and a threaded knob, the support wall is configured to support the hook, the post having a bottom surface dimensioned similar to that of the spinal rod; the threaded knob mounted within the opening of the hood, the threaded knob configured to engage a pair of threaded sidewalls of the rod support portion of the hook so as to pull the hook into a fixed engagement with the post, securing the hook support portion to the post.
10 . The system as set forth in claim 9 , wherein a proximal end of the handle may be configured to have a rigid surface to absorb impact from a hammer.
11 . The system as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the support wall has a support surface that is generally angled 45 degrees relative to the rod.
12 . The system as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the hook support portion is a generally solid member having a pair of support walls and a back surface which is generally coaxial to the rod.
13 . The system as set forth in claim 9 , wherein a bottom portion of the post is radiused.
14 . The system as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the post may have a pair of generally planar side walls opposite each other and a planar top surface and a planar distal end.
15 . The system as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the hood is integrally formed to the support wall of the hook support portion.
16 . The system as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the opening has a diameter sufficient to receive the threaded knob.