Abstract:
The present invention provides a minimally invasive surgery pedicle screw system, including: a plurality of slotted guides that are selectively inserted through one or more surgical incisions; a plurality of pedicle screws selectively coupled to the plurality of slotted guides that are selectively secured to one or more bony anatomical structures; a pendulum mechanism selectively translatably and pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of slotted guides; and a connecting rod selectively translatably and pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of slotted guides; wherein the pendulum mechanism is selectively coupled to the connecting rod. The connecting rod is selectively secured to one or more of the plurality of pedicle screws.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    The present non-provisional patent application/patent claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/102,607, filed on Oct. 3, 2008, and entitled “MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY PEDICLE SCREW SYSTEM,” the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) pedicle screw system including a plurality of pedicle screws and one or more connecting rods for stabilizing/immobilizing adjacent vertebrae of the spine in support of a spinal fusion procedure or the like. The present invention also relates generally to a MIS pedicle screw system including a plurality of slotted guides and an associated pendulum mechanism for placing/securing the one or more connecting rods in the heads of the plurality of pedicle screws. The MIS pedicle screw system of the present invention operates with minimal incision requirements and minimal tissue disruption. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    When confronted with various spinal diseases and injuries, it is often desirable for a spinal surgeon to perform an interbody fusion or the like, whereby adjacent vertebrae are fused together using a bone graft and/or an implantable device, or otherwise immobilize a portion of the spine of a patient. Typically, in the interbody fusion case, the adjacent vertebrae are immobilized while the bone graft is allowed to “take,” for example, using a conventional pedicle screw system, a plate system, or the like. Such a pedicle screw system consists of a plurality of pedicle screws that are anchored to adjacent levels of the spine and connected with stabilizing rods or the like. Such a plate system consists of a plate that is anchored to adjacent levels of the spine and, optionally, connected to the implantable device. Another attractive option when treating various spinal diseases and injuries is to immobilize the associated facet joint(s) using one or more facet bolts or the like. In order to accomplish this, the superior and inferior facets to be joined must be aligned and securely held during drilling and bolt placement, for example. It is also desirable that they are compressed either before or during drilling and bolt placement. This can be a tricky process, which is never desirable during a surgical procedure. 
         [0004]    What are still needed in the art are simplified MIS systems and methods for placing a plurality of pedicle screws and securing stabilizing rods or the like to them. Preferably, these systems and methods would have minimal incision requirements and cause minimal tissue disruption, such that quick healing and recovery may be promoted. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a minimally invasive surgery pedicle screw system, including: a plurality of slotted guides that are selectively inserted through one or more surgical incisions; a plurality of pedicle screws selectively coupled to the plurality of slotted guides that are selectively secured to one or more bony anatomical structures; a pendulum mechanism selectively translatably and pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of slotted guides; and a connecting rod selectively translatably and pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of slotted guides; wherein the pendulum mechanism is selectively coupled to the connecting rod. The connecting rod is selectively secured to one or more of the plurality of pedicle screws. 
         [0006]    In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a minimally invasive surgery pedicle screw method, including: providing a plurality of slotted guides that are selectively inserted through one or more surgical incisions; providing a plurality of pedicle screws selectively coupled to the plurality of slotted guides that are selectively secured to one or more bony anatomical structures; providing a pendulum mechanism selectively translatably and pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of slotted guides; and providing a connecting rod selectively translatably and pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of slotted guides; wherein the pendulum mechanism is selectively coupled to the connecting rod. The connecting rod is selectively secured to one or more of the plurality of pedicle screws. 
         [0007]    In a further exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a minimally invasive surgery pedicle screw system, including: a plurality of slotted guides that are selectively inserted through one or more surgical incisions; a plurality of pedicle screws selectively coupled to the plurality of slotted guides that are selectively secured to one or more bony anatomical structures; a pendulum mechanism selectively translatably and pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of slotted guides; and a rack and pinion perforation assembly selectively translatably and pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of slotted guides; wherein the pendulum mechanism is selectively coupled to the rack and pinion perforation assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to denote like system components/method steps, as appropriate, and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of the MIS pedicle screw system of the present invention in a partially deployed state; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating the MIS pedicle screw system of  FIG. 1  in a fully deployed state; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the MIS pedicle screw system of the present invention in a partially deployed state, specifically a rack and pinion fascia perforator embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in one exemplary embodiment, the MIS pedicle screw system  10  of the present invention includes a plurality of slotted guides  12 ,  14  that are inserted through small incisions in the skin and musculature proximate to the bony structures (i.e. pedicles) of adjacent vertebrae of the spine of a patient. Each of the slotted guides  12 ,  14  is an elongate structure and is configured to securely receive the head  16 ,  18  of a pedicle screw  17 ,  19 , such that the slotted guides  12 ,  14  may be used to drive the pedicle screws  17 ,  19  into the adjacent pedicles. Preferably, each of the slotted guides  12 ,  14  is a substantially hollow structure defining a track  20 ,  22  along its major axis that is configured to receive another structure, as described in greater detail herein below. 
         [0013]    The first slotted guide  12  is configured to receive a pendulum mechanism  24  that includes a body portion  26 , a pivot structure  28  attached to or integrally formed with the body portion  26 , and an elongate portion  30 . The elongate portion  30  of the pendulum mechanism  24  may be manufactured from any suitable flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid material. The second slotted guide  14  is configured to receive a connecting rod  32  that also, optionally, includes a pivot structure (not illustrated) attached to or integrally formed with the connecting rod  32 . The connecting rod  32  may also be substantially flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In operation, the elongate portion  30  of the pendulum mechanism  24  is selectively connected to the connecting rod  32  at an attachment point  34  located at one end of the connecting rod  32 . 
         [0014]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 1 , in operation, the elongate portion  30  of the pendulum mechanism  24  is selectively connected to the connecting rod  32  at the attachment point  34  located at one end of the connecting rod  32 . The elongate portion  30  is then pulled upwards through the first slotted guide  12  and pivoted via an associated handle  36  attached to the elongate portion  30 . This action causes the pivot structure  28  attached to or integrally formed with the body portion  26  of the pendulum mechanism  24  to translate upwards within the first track  20 , as well as to pivot. Accordingly, the first slotted guide  12  includes an elongate opening (not illustrated) along each side through which the body portion  26  and elongate portion  30  of the pendulum mechanism  24  protrude. Because the elongate portion  30  of the pendulum mechanism  24  is connected to the connecting rod  32  at the attachment point  34  located at one end of the connecting rod  32 , this action causes the pivot structure (not illustrated) attached to or integrally formed with the connecting rod  32  to translate downwards within the second track  22 , as well as to pivot. Accordingly, the second slotted guide  14  includes an elongate opening (not illustrated) along each side through which the connecting rod  32  protrudes. 
         [0015]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 2 , the connecting rod  32  is eventually drawn into place within the heads  16 ,  18  of the pedicle screws  17 ,  19 . At this point, a threaded set screw  38  or the like is disposed through the second slotted guide  14  and secured to lock the connecting rod  32  in place relative to the second pedicle screw  19 . Optionally, a threaded set screw (not illustrated) or the like is disposed through the first slotted guide  12  and secured to lock the connecting rod  32  in place relative to the first pedicle screw  17 . At this point, the pendulum mechanism  24  is withdrawn from the first slotted guide  12 , and both slotted guides  12 ,  14  are disengaged from their respective pedicle screws  17 ,  19  and removed from the surgical site, which is subsequently closed. 
         [0016]    It should be noted that either single or multi-level procedures may be performed using the systems and methods of the present invention. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , in another exemplary embodiment, the MIS pedicle screw system  50  of the present invention again includes a plurality of slotted guides  12 ,  14  that are inserted through small incisions in the skin and musculature proximate to the bony structures (i.e. pedicles) of adjacent vertebrae of the spine of a patient. Each of the slotted guides  12 ,  14  is configured to securely receive the head  16 ,  18  of a pedicle screw  17 ,  19 , such that the slotted guides  12 ,  14  may be used to drive the pedicle screws  17 ,  19  into the adjacent pedicles. Preferably, each of the slotted guides  12 ,  14  is a substantially hollow structure defining a track  20 ,  22  along its major axis that is configured to receive another structure, as described in greater detail herein below. 
         [0018]    The first slotted guide  12  again is configured to receive a pendulum mechanism  24  that includes a body portion  26 , a pivot structure  28  attached to or integrally formed with the body portion  26 , and an elongate portion  30 . The elongate portion  30  of the pendulum mechanism  24  may be manufactured from any suitable flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid material. The second slotted guide  14  is configured to receive a rack fascia perforator  52  that engages a pinion pivot drive structure  54 . In operation, the elongate portion  30  of the pendulum mechanism  24  is selectively connected to the rack fascia perforator  52  at an attachment point  56  located at one end of the rack fascia perforator  52 . 
         [0019]    In operation, the elongate portion  30  of the pendulum mechanism  24  is selectively connected to the rack fascia perforator  52  at an attachment point  56  located at one end of the rack fascia perforator  52 . The elongate portion  30  is then pulled upwards through the first slotted guide  12  and pivoted via an associated handle  36  attached to the elongate portion  30 . This action causes the pivot structure  28  attached to or integrally formed with the body portion  26  of the pendulum mechanism  24  to translate upwards within the first track  20 , as well as to pivot. Accordingly, the first slotted guide  12  includes an elongate opening (not illustrated) along each side through which the body portion  26  and elongate portion  30  of the pendulum mechanism  24  protrude. Because the elongate portion  30  of the pendulum mechanism  24  is connected to the rack fascia perforator  52  at the attachment point  56  located at one end of the rack fascia perforator  52 , this action causes the pinion pivot drive structure  54  to translate downwards within the second track  22 , as well as to pivot. Accordingly, the second slotted guide  14  includes an elongate opening (not illustrated) along each side through which the connecting rod  32  protrudes. Optionally, the pinion pivot drive structure  54  drives the motion of the rack fascia perforator  52  and the pendulum mechanism  24 . 
         [0020]    Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.