IP Library Granted Patent US 9,468,474
Granted Patent B2
US 9,468,474 · App. 14/194,258 · Granted Oct 18, 2016

Spinal deformity correction instruments and methods

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,468,474
App. No.
14/194,258
Granted
Oct 18, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An instrument for correction of spinal deformities includes an inner member with a proximal portion configured to receive a corrective force and a distal coupling portion configured to transfer the corrective force to a spinal implant in a vertebra. A slot extends transversely through the coupling portion and is configured to guide a fixation rod into the spinal implant. A threaded sleeve includes an external thread and a thru-bore that slides relative to the proximal portion. An outer member couples with the proximal portion and threadably engages the external thread to apply a reduction force as the outer member rotates relative to the inner member. A reduction blade includes a proximal interlocking portion that removably couples with the threaded sleeve and a distal rod engagement feature configured to engage the fixation rod and transfer the reduction force to reduce the fixation rod into the spinal implant.

Claims (50)

1. An instrument for correction of spinal deformities and rod reduction, comprising:

an inner member including a proximal portion configured to receive a corrective force and a distal coupling portion configured to transfer the corrective force to a spinal implant in a vertebra;

a slot extending transversely through the coupling portion and configured to guide a fixation rod into the spinal implant;

a threaded sleeve including an external thread and a thru-bore that slides relative to the proximal portion of the inner member;

an outer member coupled with the proximal portion of the inner member and engaged with the external thread to apply a reduction force to the threaded sleeve as the outer member rotates relative to the inner member; and

a reduction blade having a pair of longitudinally extending edges, each of the pair of longitudinally extending edges extending the length of the blade, each of the pair of longitudinally extending edges spaced apart from each other whereby the reduction blade only partially extends around the threaded sleeve, the reduction blade including a proximal interlocking portion that removably couples with the threaded sleeve and a distal rod engagement feature configured to engage the fixation

rod and transfer the reduction force to reduce the fixation rod into the spinal implant.

2. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a second reduction blade including a proximal interlocking portion that removably couples with the threaded sleeve and a distal rod engagement feature configured to engage the fixation rod and transfer the reduction force to reduce the fixation rod into the spinal implant.

3. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a guide portion of the inner member aligned with the slot and configured to prevent deflection as the reduction blade applies the reduction force.

4. The instrument of claim 3 , wherein the guide portion and the reduction blade engage in a tongue-and-groove configuration.

5. The instrument of claim 3 , wherein engagement between the reduction blade and the guide portion prevents rotation of the threaded sleeve relative to the inner member.

6. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the distal coupling portion comprises a locking member including a hinged tab with a projection extending radially inward to engage a recess of the spinal implant.

7. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a mount projecting from the inner member configured to receive a bracket.

8. The instrument of claim 7 , wherein the mount includes include one or more ramped portions, a radially extending aperture, and one or more of ridges, beveled edges, a tongue-and-groove, and a T-shaped profile that restricts insertion of the bracket to one direction.

9. The instrument of claim 7 wherein the bracket is configured to couple the instrument with a second instrument on an opposite side of the vertebra by a crosslink.

10. The instrument of claim 9 , wherein the bracket comprises:

a transverse member extending from the mount and including a pin to engage the mount;

a longitudinal member extending from the transverse member at a 90 degree angle; and

a rotatable member on an end of the longitudinal member that includes a post to receive the crosslink.

11. The instrument of claim 10 , wherein the pin includes a threaded portion and the mount includes a threaded aperture, wherein the pin locks the bracket to the mount by threaded engagement.

12. The instrument of claim 10 , wherein the pin includes a spring-loaded pin and the mount includes an aperture, wherein the pin is biased into the aperture to lock the bracket to the mount.

13. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the outer member includes a retainer ring that engages a ridge of the proximal portion to prevent linear translation of the outer member relative to the inner member.

14. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the proximal interlocking portion comprises a T-shaped projection that couples with a mating T-shaped recess of the threaded sleeve.

15. A system for linking two spinal implants inserted in a one vertebra to share corrective

forces applied to the vertebra and reduce two rods into the spinal implants, comprising:

first and second instruments, each instrument including

an inner member including a proximal portion with a mount configured to receive a corrective force and a distal coupling portion configured to transfer a portion of the corrective force to a spinal implant in a vertebra;

a slot extending transversely through the coupling portion and configured to guide a fixation rod into the spinal implant;

a threaded sleeve including an external thread and a thru-bore that slides relative to the proximal portion of the inner member;

an outer member coupled with the proximal portion of the inner member and engaged with the external thread to apply a reduction force to the threaded sleeve as the outer member rotates relative to the inner member; and

a reduction blade having a pair of longitudinally extending edges, each of the pair of longitudinally extending edges extending the length of the blade, each of the pair of longitudinally extending edges spaced apart from each other whereby the reduction blade only partially extends around the threaded sleeve, the reduction blade including a proximal interlocking portion that removably couples with

the threaded sleeve and a distal rod engagement feature configured to engage the fixation rod and transfer the reduction force to reduce the fixation rod into the spinal implant;

first and second brackets coupled with the first and second instruments respectively, each bracket including a transverse member extending from the mount and including a pin to engage the mount;

a longitudinal member extending from the transverse member at a 90 degree angle; and

a rotatable member on an end of the longitudinal member that includes a post to receive a crosslink;

a cross link coupled to each post of the first and second brackets that transfers a portion of the corrective force applied to the first instrument to the second instrument.

16. A system for linking two spinal implants inserted in two different vertebrae to share corrective forces applied to the vertebrae and reduce a rod into the spinal implants, comprising

first and second instruments, each instrument including an inner member including a proximal portion with a mount configured to receive a corrective force and a distal coupling portion configured to transfer the corrective force to a spinal implant in a vertebra;

a slot extending transversely through the coupling portion and configured to guide a fixation rod into the spinal implant;

a threaded sleeve including an external thread and a thru-bore that slides relative to the proximal portion of the inner member;

an outer member coupled with the proximal portion of the inner member and engaged with the external thread to apply a reduction force to the threaded sleeve as the outer member rotates relative to the inner member; and

a reduction blade, whereby the reduction blade only partially extends around the threaded sleeve, including a proximal interlocking portion that removably couples with the threaded sleeve and a distal rod engagement feature configured to engage the fixation rod and transfer the reduction force to reduce the fixation rod into the spinal implant, the reduction blade extending the length of the slot so as to at least partially cover the slot; and

an alignment clip configured to couple the first and second instruments to enable en bloc positioning of the vertebrae.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the alignment clip comprises:

a first arm and a second arm;

a hinge portion at a first end of the first and second arms pivotably couples the first arm to the second arm; and

a locking portion at a second end of the first and second arms locks the first arm to the second arm.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the hinge portion forms a circular portion configured to couple with the outer member of one of the first and second instruments.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the locking portion comprises a pin on the first arm, a clasp on the second arm, and a nut to retain the pin in the clasp.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the first arm and second arm each includes a gripping portion comprising one of a rubber and a silicone-based material to grip one of the first and second instruments.

Assignments (14)
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 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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 7, 2016
From: WALTERS, CARMEN; COSTABILE, JONATHAN T.
To: ALPHATEC SPINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 039653/0843 →
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 →