Patent ID: 8142437
Filing Date: 2012-03-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for percutaneously fixing a connecting rod to vertebrae of a spine, comprising: a first bone screw including a shaft having a threaded portion for engagement with a first vertebra and a yoke articulatingly attached to said shaft, said yoke having a slot defined by a pair of upstanding opposed arms for receiving a connecting rod; a first hollow bone screw extension having a distal end and a proximal end, said first screw extension including a tubular member defined by a perimetric, sidewall and a hollow interior, said first screw extension having a pair of opposing slots through said sidewall and opening at said distal end, said first screw extension having a rotationally movable screw engaging member for releasably engaging and holding said first screw extension to said first bone screw upon rotation thereof; a second bone screw including a shaft having a threaded portion for engagement with a second vertebra and a yoke articulatingly attached to said shaft, said yoke having a slot defined by a pair of upstanding opposed arms for receiving a connecting rod; a second hollow bone screw extension having a distal end and a proximal end, said second screw extension including a tubular member defined by a perimetric sidewall and a hollow interior, said second screw extension having a pair of opposing slots through said sidewall and opening at said distal end, said second screw extension having a rotationally movable screw engaging member for releasably engaging and holding said second screw extension to said second bone screw upon rotation thereof; a connecting rod of length sized for receipt in the respective slots in the yokes of said first and second bone screws; a rod introducer for inserting said connecting rod into the slots of said first and second screw extensions and into the slots of the yokes of said first and second screws; a first locking element for passage through said first screw extension and locking said rod in the slot of said yoke of said first bone screw; and a second locking element for passage through said second screw extension and locking said rod in the slot of said yoke of said second bone screw.