Patent ID: 11871967
Assignee: VERTRAE MEDICAL CONSULTING, LLC
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A method for inserting a pedicle screw into a vertebra, the method comprising:
introducing a pedicle screw into a soft tissue of a patient, wherein the pedicle screw comprises:
a head;
a distal tip;
a threaded portion extending at least partially between the head and the distal tip; and
a radiographically visible element located at a predefined location on the threaded portion;

capturing a first radiographic image of the pedicle screw with respect to the vertebra;
determining a first distance in the first radiographic image, wherein the first distance is between the distal tip and the radiographically visible element;
determining a second distance in the first radiographic image, wherein the second distance is between a first anatomical landmark of a pedicle of the vertebra and a second anatomical landmark of a pedicle of the vertebra;
comparing the first distance and the second distance; and
when the first distance is equal to the second distance, determining that a current insertion angle is optimal, and at least partially inserting the pedicle screw into the vertebra along the current insertion angle.