Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/548,571, filed Oct. 18, 2011; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention lies in the field of spinal implants. The present disclosure relates to instrumentation and surgical procedure for percutaneous insertion of spinal implants. More specifically, the present invention relates to an instrument that assists in guiding a connecting member between two or more implants under the skin with minimal damage to the underlying muscle and a surgical technique for using the instrument. This provides the benefits of more accurate and easier measures of connecting two or more implants while minimizing patient trauma and reducing surgical recovery time. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The insertion of pedicle screws into the spine for fixation has been commonly used for many years. In general, a set of implants is placed on both sides of the spinous process into the pedicles and the set on each side is connected by an individual rod. For example, in a single level fusion, whereby two vertebral bodies are intended to be fused together, four pedicle screws are used, two on each side of the spinous process. Each set of two is then connected by the rod. For multiple levels, more screws are used and connected by longer rods. The general technique is an open procedure, whereby the incision in the skin is long and spans the length of the affected area of the spine to be treated. To reach the spine, the incision is continued through the muscle. These long incisions are painful and require significant healing time. In some cases, where spinal pathology is complicated, this may be the only prudent approach. However, in many cases, a less traumatic procedure would be highly beneficial in reducing patient pain and speeding recovery time. 
     The current concepts for minimally invasive surgical approaches for placing pedicle screws generally fall into two basic forms. Sextant, which is an instrument covered under U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,929 to Justis et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,008,422 to Foley et al., uses an instrument that swings the connecting rod through an arc. This configuration requires that all the implants be on the arc. To accomplish this alignment, the implants are connected to towers that are subsequently connected together to create a single pivot point. The connecting rod must be swept around this pivot point to pass through all the implants connected to the towers. This procedure is very problematic. First, the spine is not a uniform curve. Disadvantageously, the instrument requires the spine to be forced into a uniform curve. Secondly, the pedicles are at angles that vary from level to level. This complicates placing of the instrument. To make such an instrument function, the number of implants that can be surgically connected is very limited. The second basic form for placing pedicle screws is that of attaching extensions, or towers, to the implants to lengthen the implant head. U.S. Pat. No. 7,955,355 to Chin describes extensions, although it does not teach the technique in which they are used to allow connecting rods to be placed. U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,858 to Stad et al. also describes extensions. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,830 to Frigg et al. describes extensions and the surgical use of the extensions in conjunction with rod placement. These extended towers all have long slots in the sides. This is important to note, as rod placement by this approach is far too inaccurate to place directly within a spinal screw implant body. By extending the implant, it allows the surgeon to find the implant rod slot and introduce the rod higher and push it down until it seats in the implant body. There are self-evident issues with this approach. While less invasive than an open incision, there is muscle in the way, and the muscle must be split to allow the rod to slide downward into position within the spinal screw body. Secondly, the more screws the surgeon wishes to place, the more difficult the surgery becomes. Clearly such a procedure is limited in what it can do. 
     Therefore, while these prior minimally invasive spinal instruments and surgical procedures can be suitable for limited usage to which they somewhat address, they are not suitable to providing an instrument and surgical approach that can accurately and less traumatically place an implant connecting device over multiple levels. 
     Thus, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art systems, designs, and processes as discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides percutaneous minimally invasive access instrumentation and surgical procedures for percutaneous insertion of spinal implants that overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that provide such features by substantially departing from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing allow simpler and more accurate connection of multiple spinal implants while providing less trauma to soft tissue. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including posts that connect to the spinal implants. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including posts that connect to the spinal implants and a main body portion that can connect to at least one post. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including posts that connect to the spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, and a rod guide section attached to the main body. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including posts that connect to the spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, and a rod guide section attached to the main body, and a rod holder moveable within the rod guide. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including posts that connect to the spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, a rod guide section attached to the main body, a rod holder moveable within the rod guide, and the rod holder having a curvate shape. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including posts that connect to the spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, a rod guide section attached to the main body having bearings to allow smooth motion of the rod holder within the rod guide, the rod holder having a curvate shape that contacts the bearings. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including posts that connect to the spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, a rod guide section attached to the main body having bearings to allow smooth motion of the rod holder within the rod guide, and a portion of the rod guide that can be used to force the rod holder in contact with the bearings. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including posts that connect to the spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, a rod guide section attached to the main body having bearings to allow smooth motion of the rod holder within the rod guide, a second bearing section of the rod guide used to force the rod holder in contact with the bearings such that the curvate rod holder can rotate while in contact with the main body bearings and second bearing section. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including posts that connect to the spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, a rod guide section attached to the main body having bearings to allow smooth motion of the rod holder within the rod guide, and a second bearing section movable forward in an axial direction to exert force against the rod holder to hold it against the bearings or backwards to release pressure against the rod holder. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including posts that connect to the spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, a rod guide section attached to the main body having bearings to allow smooth motion of the rod holder within the rod guide, a rod secured to the rod holder, a second bearing section moved forward in an axial direction to exert force against the rod holder to hold it against the bearings, and the rod holder calibrated with markings that correspond to the length of the rod. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including posts that connect to the spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, a rod guide section attached to the main body having bearings to allow smooth motion of the rod holder within the rod guide, and a second bearing section movable forward in an axial direction to exert force against the rod holder to hold it against the bearings to allow the rod holder holding a rod to rotate to advance the tip of the rod through the skin and muscle. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including at least one post that connects to one or more spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, and a rod guide section attached to the main body which guides the tip of the rod secured in the rod holder accurately into at least one spinal implant. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including at least one post that connects to one or more spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, and a rod guide section attached to the main body which guides the tip of the rod secured in a calibrated rod holder accurately to a specific location within at least one spinal implant. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including at least one post that connects to one or more spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, and a rod guide section attached to the main body which guides the tip of the rod secured in a calibrated rod holder accurately to a specific location within at least one spinal implant, the calibrated rod holder having features for attaching a removable handle. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including at least one post that connects to one or more spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, and a rod guide section attached to the main body which guides the tip of the rod secured in a calibrated rod holder accurately to a specific location within at least one spinal implant, the calibrated rod holder having features for attaching a removable handle, and a section of the handle acting as a stop such that contact of the stop with a section of the main body stops further advancement of the rod and rod holder. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, and a curvate rod holder which matches the curvature of the rod to be implanted. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, and more than one curvate rod holder to allow rods of different curves or diameters to be used with the instrument. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, more than one curvate rod holder to allow rods of different curves or diameters to be used with the instrument, and adjustable length posts to allow the instrument to compensate for different rod curvatures. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, more than one curvate rod holder to allow rods of different curves or diameters to be used with the instrument, and multiple fixed length posts for each rod diameter to allow the instrument to compensate for different rod curvatures. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including at least one post that connects to one or more spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, and a rod guide section, and a open section of the main body having an opening to accept at least one additional post within the open section. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including at least one post that connects to one or more spinal implants and the main body, the posts having a keyway or feature to align the post relative to the rod slot in an implant. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including at least one post that connects to one or more spinal implants and the main body, the posts having a keyway or feature to align the post relative to the main body such that the main body is aligned parallel to at least one implant rod slot. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including at least one post that connects to one or more spinal implants aligned with the rod slot in an implant and the main body, and the main body with a secondary opening or slot that accepts a section of the post. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants and a main body, including a temporary attachment to a primary post that connects to one spinal implant, and a main body that can permit at least one additional post to fit within an opening or slot such that all posts are aligned to the main body and simultaneously aligned to the implants. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants, including at least one post that connects to one or more spinal implants, a main body that can connect to at least one post, and a rod guide section that can be advance to exert pressure against a rod holder or moved in an opposite direction to release pressure against the rod holder. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants and posts, a main body that can connect to at least one post, and a rod guide section that can be moved to release pressure against the rod holder and allow the main body to slide forward to reach a desired post. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants and posts, a main body that connects temporarily to one post, and a rod guide section that allows a rod holder holding a rod to be advanced in a curvate direction while permitting translational motion and adjustment by the sliding capability of the rod guide section. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants and posts, the posts having features to lock the posts to an implant. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants and posts, the posts having features to lock the posts to an implant while being cannulated to allow sliding over a k-wire and/or allowing access to the implant by screw drivers or other instruments. 
     The present invention provides for a percutaneous access instrument for attachment to spinal implants and posts, the posts having features to lock the posts to the inside of a spinal implant. 
     With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a spinal implant device for inserting a curved spinal implant alignment rod through an opening of at least one spinal implant including a curved rod holder, an elongated main body, and at least one spinal implant post. The curved rod holder defines a central bore shaped to slidably receive therein the curved spinal implant alignment rod and having a rod holding curve substantially equal to a curve of the curved spinal implant alignment rod and has outer bearing surfaces. The elongated main body defines a post connector portion, a post receiving slot, and a rod holder slot and has a bearing assembly operable to hold the rod holder within the rod holder slot longitudinally and laterally stable and rotationally movable about a central rotation point of the rod holder that is aligned with the post connector portion. The bearing assembly has bearings providing at least three bearing contact points at the outer bearing surfaces to movably hold the rod holder with respect to the main body such that the rod holder can only arcuately rotate with respect to the central rotation point. The at least one spinal implant post has a distal implant retaining end operable to removably secure the at least one spinal implant thereto, a proximal post securing end shaped to removably secure with the post connector portion, and a height such that, when the proximal post securing end is removably secured at the post connector portion, the spinal implant is held at a distance to align the opening of the spinal implant with a tip of the rod in the rod holder when arcuate motion of the rod holder rotates the rod within the bearings to the spinal implant. The post receiving slot is shaped to hold the proximal post securing end longitudinally free and laterally secure. The rod holder slot is shaped to hold therewithin the bearings and to movably hold the rod holder within the bearings. At least one of the bearings is longitudinally adjustable towards and away from the rod holder to removably hold the rod holder therewithin. 
     In accordance with another feature of the invention, the rod is a set of rods having different curvatures, the rod holder is a set of rod holders correspondingly curved to the set of rods, the at least one spinal implant post is a plurality of posts each having a height such that, when the proximal post securing end is removably secured at the post connector portion, the spinal implant is held at a distance to align the opening of the spinal implant with a tip of the rod in the rod holder when arcuate motion of the rod holder rotates the rod rotated within the bearings to the spinal implant, and the bearings being adjustable to provide different holding geometries for the rod holders. 
     In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, there is provided a handle operable to rotate the rod holder within the main body. The handle has a handle end operable to stop rotation of the rod holder when a tip of the rod is in a defined location within the opening of the spinal implant. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in percutaneous minimally invasive access instrumentation and surgical procedures for percutaneous insertion of spinal implants, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     Additional advantages and other features characteristic of the present invention will be set forth in the detailed description that follows and may be apparent from the detailed description or may be learned by practice of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Still other advantages of the invention may be realized by any of the instrumentalities, methods, or combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, which are not true to scale, and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to illustrate further various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a main instrument body from a side thereof; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the main instrument body of  FIG. 1  with a rod assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the main instrument body of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the main instrument of  FIG. 2  with a single post; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded, perspective view of the instrument assembly with a rod holder, a rod, and a rod advancement handle; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the instrument assembly of  FIG. 5  with the rod advancement handle engaged with the rod holder and with an implant post; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary, perspective view of a side the rod holder of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary, perspective view of a front of the rod holder of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a fragmentary, enlarged, perspective view of a front end of the rod holder of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a side of the instrument assembly of  FIG. 2  attached to a first post and a spinal screw assembly with the rod disposed inside one spinal implant; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a side of the instrument of  FIG. 10  aligned with first and second posts to place the rod within one implant and with the instrument free of both posts; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view from above the instrument of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a side of the instrument of  FIG. 10  attached to the second post with the first post contained within the instrument body to align the posts and allow the rod to enter multiple spinal implants; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view from above the side of the instrument of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a post assembly; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the post of  FIG. 15  assembled and with the assembly handle; 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of the post of  FIG. 16  with the assembly handle engaged with the post; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the post of  FIG. 17  showing that, by turning the assembly handle, the post engages and locks to a spinal implant; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the post of  FIG. 17  locked to the spinal implant ready for use and without the assembly handle; 
         FIG. 20  is a side elevational view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a post attachment mechanism for attachment to a spinal implant; 
         FIG. 21  is an enlarged perspective view of an implant attachment end of the post attachment mechanism of  FIG. 20 ; and 
         FIG. 22  is an enlarged perspective view of the implant attachment end and post assembly of  FIG. 20 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. 
     Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
     Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” applies to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. 
     Herein various embodiments of the present invention are described. In many of the different embodiments, features are similar. Therefore, to avoid redundancy, repetitive description of these similar features may not be made in some circumstances. It shall be understood, however, that description of a first-appearing feature applies to the later described similar feature and each respective description, therefore, is to be incorporated therein without such repetition. 
     Described now are exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail, there is shown a first exemplary embodiment of a new instrument, illustrated generally at  100  in  FIGS. 1 through 14 , that, by its novel construction, permits the instrument  100  to lock onto guide posts attached to implants (an example of which is shown in  FIG. 10  as element  120 ) and allows the introduction of a rod member through one or more implants by rotation and translation capability. 
     The main body  1  is substantially rectangular in shape. Of course, the main body  1  does not need to be rectangular, but can also be other shapes. The main body  1 , as well as the other components of the instrument can be made of various materials, such as, but not limited to, metals, such as aluminum, titanium, or stainless steels, polymers, or a combination of both. 
     The main body  1  has various features shown in  FIG. 1 . These features include an extension  2  having an opening  3  and an alignment keyway  4 , the opening extending into or through a portion of the main body  1  and the keyway formed in at least one section of the extension  2 . The main body  1  is also slotted  7 , with the slot  7  extending through from the top  8  of the main body  1  to the bottom  9  of main body  1 . A threaded hole or other feature  5  is optionally machined into the main body  1  at the tip. A rear slot  14  is also provided in the main body  1 , with a bridge portion  13  provided between the two sections to add rigidity to the main body  1 . The bridge portion  13  is optional and may not be necessary when the main body  1  is constructed from rigid materials. The rear slot  14  is intersected by a slot  15  through the side of the main body  1 . Between the front slot  7  and rear slot  14  is disposed a bearing section having an upper portion  6  and a lower portion  10 , with the upper portion  6  having a through-hole  42  and the lower portion  10  having a through-hole  41 . At the end of the instrument  100  is a threaded nut  17 , which is attached to the end  16  of the instrument  100  or is simply machined into the material at the end  16  of the instrument  100 . 
     In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the main body  1  is further expanded by the addition of other components. Within hole  41 , a pin  11  is inserted through a bearing  40 , and a pin  12  is inserted through hole  42  and bearing  20 . The bearings  20  and  40  are free to rotate around their respective pins  12  and  11 . The pins  11  and  12  can be press fit, threaded, welded, or otherwise secured in place in holes  41  and  42  without effecting the rotation of the bearings  20  and  40 . Furthermore, an additional bearing  22  is held within a carrier  21  and secured by a pin  26 . This bearing  22  is free to rotate about pin  26 . In addition, the pin  26  also is long enough to stay within the slot  15  in the main body  1 . The width of slot  15  is slightly larger than the diameter of the pin  26 . This permits the bearing  22 , carrier  21 , and pin assembly to slide axially with the pin  26  in slot  15 . A threaded rod  25  (or threaded rod section) is attached to the carrier  21  to allow the end of the thread to freely rotate while still being attached to carrier  21 . This is further detailed in  FIG. 5 , whereby the carrier  21  has an extension  60  with a groove  61 . The extension  60  fits into a hole in a portion of the threaded rod  25  such that the groove  61  is suspended within the hole. The groove aligns with a hole in the threaded rod end  23  and is pinned to hold the carrier  21  in contact with the threaded end  23  while allowing the threaded end  23  to turn freely. Of course, there are other ways to attach the carrier  21  and threaded rod end  23 . Also shown in  FIG. 2  is that the threaded rod  25  has an end  27 . The threaded rod can be machined with the end  27  as one piece, or attached by pinning, soldering, welding, press fitting, or a combination of techniques. This allows the threaded rod  25  to be purchased as a finished component and subsequently attached to the end  27 . The end  27  can, then, be connected directly to a handle  95  that is fixed, as shown in  FIG. 10 , or provided with an attachment device operable to connect to a handle  95  that is removable. In  FIG. 2 , this is shown as a square drive attachment having a square end  29 , a groove  30 , and an extension  28  to allow a square drive handle to engage and temporarily lock the handle to the end  27  fixed to the threaded rod  25 . 
     As the threaded nut  17  is either integral with the end  16  of the main body  1  or is rigidly attached, it cannot move relative to the main body  1 . Thus, when the threaded rod  25  is turned, the carrier  21 , bearing  22 , and pin  26  move axially either towards the front of the instrument or back, depending on the direction the threaded rod  25  is turned. Furthermore, the speed in which the carrier  21  is advanced can be controlled by the type of thread (i.e., pitch) on the threaded rod  25 . By using a multiple start ACME thread instead of a single start, each turn of the handle can advance the carrier  21  at up to  4  times faster than the standard ACME thread. Such a configuration is advantageous in that it avoids constant turning of the handle to move the carrier  21  back and forth inside the main body  1 . For this to function, the threaded nut  17  has an internal thread that matches the thread used on the threaded rod  25 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , the assembly generally indicated as  100  is shown attached to a post  46 . The post  46  has features for interfacing the instrument  100  and includes a section  48  that slides within the opening  3  in the main body  1  and the extension  2  and a keyway  49  for engaging the keyway  4  in the main body  1 . An internal shaft  51  is cannulated, having a hole  50  that runs through the entire length of shaft  51 . The shaft  51  is configured to be held within the post  46  and locked to the spinal implant. It can also be locked to the main body  1  by a spring loaded plunger  45 . The use of a lock is optional, and friction is usually sufficient to hold the post  46  in place. The implant end of the post  46  has alignment tabs  47  that align the post  46  to the spinal implant. This allows the spinal implant to be aligned to the post  46  and the post  46  to be aligned to the main body  1 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , the instrument assembly is shown with the rod holder  70 . The rod holder  70  is configured to secure and hold a rod  80  at the rod securing end  72  of the rod holder  70 . This rod securing end  72  is tapered to minimize resistance and trauma to soft tissue as it enters. The rod  80  is curved to match the curve of the rod holder  70 . The tip  81  of the rod  80  is generally pointed to allow the rod  80  to drive through soft tissue and help guide itself into, for example, a slot  122  within the spinal implant  120  (see  FIG. 10 ). The assembly of the rod  80  and rod holder  70  can also be considered a curved needle. Between the end  73  of the rod holder  70  and the rod securing end  72  are attachment features  71  for attachment of a handle  65 . The attachment features  71  are shown here as grooves, but they can also be holes, extensions, or other features that allow engagement with handle  65 . The handle  65  has an end  66  that connects to the features  71  to provide a somewhat rigid connection. This connection allows force to be applied to the rod holder  70  such that the rod holder  70  can be advanced or retracted through the soft tissue and spinal implants. The attachment features  71  are calibrated relative to the length of the rod  80 . Thus, the handle  65 , when attached to the features  71 , acts as a stop when it contacts the upper face of portion  6  of the main body  1 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the instrument generally identified with  100  along with the rod holder  70  securely held between bearings  22  and bearings  20  and  40  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). By using three bearings  20 ,  22 ,  40 , the curved rod holder  70  rotates in an arc based on the bearing geometry. The geometry is configured to place the tip  81  of the rod  80  approximately perpendicular to the post  46  and main body hole  3  when the rod  80  is guided to the proper position. The height of the post  46  is also important in determining exactly where the tip  81  of the rod  80  will be after rotation. 
     In  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9 , the rod holder  70  is further detailed. The rod holder  70 , generally identified with reference  200 , includes grooves  71 , a rod securing end  72  or tapered tip as discussed previously, an end  73 , and flat surfaces  74  and  74 ′. The flat surfaces  74 ,  74 ′ provide bearing surfaces to mate the rod holder  70  with the bearings  20 ,  22 ,  40 . A hole  75  in the end of rod holder  70  is machined with a keyway  77  so that the rod  80  with a matching end can be secured in the rod holder  70  while permitting the curve of the rod  80  to be aligned with the curve of the rod holder  70  and to be held in such alignment during insertion of the rod  80  into the spinal implants. 
       FIG. 10  shows the first step in use of the instrument assembly  100 . The instrument assembly  100  is depicted with the rod holder  70  held against the three bearings such that the rod holder  70  can only rotate. The height of post  46  is configured such that that the opening in the implant to accept the rod  80  (e.g., slot  122  of spinal implant  120 ) is the correct location based on the arcuate motion of the rod holder  80  when rotated within the bearings. It is noted that the arcuate motion is configured so that the center of rotation of the arc is vertically aligned with the hole  3  in the main body  1 . The horizontal alignment can be varied according to the rod holder  70  curvature, bearing geometry, and height of the post  46 . This novel approach allows for rods of different curvature to be used by altering the posts, the rod holders, and/or the bearing geometry. It is further noted that the end  66  of the handle  65  stops the rod holder  70  when the rod tip  81  is in the exact desired location. This is significant because, in minimally invasive surgery, visualization of the location of the rod tip is not easy and is, often, impossible. Thus, the stop is a way for the surgeon to determine that the tip is within the spinal implant. 
     Once the rod  80  is within the first spinal implant  120 , the threaded rod  25  is turned by the handle  95  to release pressure off the rod holder  70  and to back the carrier  21  out of the way. Continuing from  FIG. 10 , where the first spinal implant  120  has the rod  80  within it, the released pressure off the rod holder  70  allows the instrument  100  to slide forward. 
       FIG. 11  depicts the instrument  100  removed off the first post, re-defined as  46 ′, and slid partially forward towards the second post  46 ″. 
       FIG. 12  clarifies the procedure as, from the top view, it can be seen that the bearing  22  in the carrier  21  is well out of the way and not in contact with the rod holder  70 . This gap allows the instrument  100  to slide forward so that hole  3  can be placed at the next post  46 ″. 
     In  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the hole  3  of the instrument  100  is aligned with the post  46 ″ and the post  46 ′ is aligned with the slot  7  in the main body  1 . When the instrument  100  is seated on post  46 ″, post  46 ′ slides into slot  7 . As the posts  46 ′,  46 ″ are keyed relative to the spinal implants  120 , the post in the slot (here  46 ′) also aligns the spinal implant  120  to the instrument  100 . This aids in aligning the rod slot  122  in the spinal implants  120 . Although not always necessary, the instrument  100  provides a novel way of aligning the rod slots  122  when hidden by the restrictions of minimally invasive access. Even though only two posts  46 ′,  46 ″ are depicted in the slot  7 , more than two of the posts can slide within the slot  7 . 
     With the posts  46 ′ and  46 ″ in position, the threaded rod  25  is turned to press the bearings  20 ,  40 , and  22  against the rod holder  70 . Then, the rod holder  70  is rotated using the handle  95 , which forces the tip  81  of the rod  80  through the next spinal implant  120 . 
     From this, it can be understood that advancing the rod  80  through multiple spinal implants  120  is a stepwise progression of rotation and axial motion. Every time the instrument  100  is advanced to the next post, the rotation point moves with it. Such movement effectively allows the instrument  100  to be moved up or down the spine while advancing the rod  80  through as many spinal implants  120  as necessary or desired. 
       FIG. 15  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a post  300 . In this exploded view, the post  300  includes an outer body  130  with a hole  131  and keyway  132  for fitting over and aligning with a spinal implant  120 . The outer body  130  also has a hole though its entirety for accepting an internal shaft  51 . The outer body  130  also has a knob  53  to provide the surgeon measures for turning the spinal implant  120  by hand to aid in aligning the rod  80  to the instrument  100 , a keyway or flat  49  for aligning the outer body  130  to the instrument  100 , and a screw  135  having a tip  143  shaped to fit into a groove  140  in the internal shaft  51 . A lateral hole  137  allows a portion of the plunger  45  to slide therein to lock the outer body  130  to the main body  1  when needed. The internal shaft  51  has a cannulated end  138  to allow screwdrivers and k-wires through the middle, while having a feature  139  to engage and hold the spinal implant  120 . As shown, reference numeral  139  represents threads, however, this feature can be a myriad of other connection options, including bayonet, tabs, or other locking measures to hold onto the spinal implant  120 . The internal shaft  51  is free to rotate within the outer body  130  and is held positionally to the outer body  130  by engagement of the tip  143  of screw  135  in the groove  140  of the internal shaft  51 . 
     Features for allowing the internal shaft  51  to be moved in such a way as to force the internal shaft  51  to engage and hold the spinal implant  120  are provided. As shown as one possibility, end  141  has grooves or notches  142  for engagement of an instrument handle  150  to permit turning of the internal shaft  51 , which handle  150  is shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . The handle  150  has a raised feature  153  to aid in keep the surgeon&#39;s gloves away from being pinched and projections  152  that are configured to interface with the grooves or notches  142  in the internal shaft  51 . 
     In  FIGS. 16 ,  17 , and  18 , the handle  150  is turned to engage the threads  138  on the internal shaft  51  with internal threads on the spinal implant  120 . Once the corresponding threads are tightened, the handle  150  is removed, leaving the post assembly  300  secured to the implant  120 . The post  300 , as it is cannulated, can remain attached until the spinal implant  120  is secured to the rod  80 . 
     Also shown in  FIGS. 16 ,  17 , and  18 , is that the measures used to lock the spinal screw to the rod can be placed and held within the body of the spinal implant  120  during the procedure. In this example, a set screw  121  is held in the spinal screw during rod insertion. This eliminates the step of adding a locking component after rod insertion. This is only possible due to the unique and novel approach set within. By using a controlled arc with axial motion, the tip  81  of the rod  80  can be very accurately placed, thus allowing room for a set screw or other locking measures. 
     An alternative post structure, as generally represented as  400 , is shown in  FIGS. 20 ,  21 , and  22 . For this example, an inner shaft  421  has a hex  414  machined into it. A recess  420  is cut above the hex into the inner shaft  421 . The hex  414  fits within a hex machined into a spinal implant rod securing device, such as the set screw  121  in  FIG. 19 . The hex in the set screw  121  is the same height as the recess  420 . Thus, when the hex  414  is inserted into the hex in set screw  121 , the recess  420  is aligned with the hex in the set screw  121 , and hex  414  drops below the lower surface of the hex in set screw  121 . This allows the inner shaft  421  to turn, as the recess  420  moves freely within the hex. When the hex  414  on the inner shaft  421  is turned, the hex in the set screw  121  and the hex  414  on the inner shaft  421  becomes misaligned. By rotating the hex  414  an angle of  30  degrees, the points of hex  414  are exactly in the middle of the flats of the hex in the set screw  121 . This misalignment acts as a temporary lock to hold the set screw  121  to the inner shaft  421 . Of course, the misalignment angle must be held, otherwise the shaft  421  and set screw  121  will disengage. Therefore, an outer sleeve  416  is provided, having engagement features  418 , e.g., teeth or tabs. This outer sleeve  416  is connected by a bayonet feature  415 , which allows the outer sleeve  416  to remain physically attached to the inner shaft  421  while allowing the outer sleeve  416  to move up and down. A pin  413  machined on the inner shaft  421  provides the engagement feature for the bayonet  415 . A spring  412  exerts force against the outer sleeve  416  to push it downward toward the hex  414 . By using a set screw having grooves or slots that match the engagement features  418  formed in the outer sleeve  416 , the assembly generally shown as  400  can be inserted into the hex of the set screw  121 , and turned to a set angle, thereby allowing the engagement features  418  to slide into the grooves or slots in set screw  121 . This allows the hex of the set screw  121  to align in a locking position with the hex  414  of the inner shaft  421  and be securely held at the correct locking position. To release assembly  400 , pulling up on the outer sleeve  416  disengages the engagement features  418  from the slots or grooves in the set screw  121 , allowing the assembly  400  to be turned until the hex in the set screw  121  and inner shaft  421  align, allowing the assembly  400  to be pulled off. Also shown is groove  411 , which is aligned to allow the plunger  45  to hold the assembly  400  securely in the instrument generally shown as  100 . The assembly  400  is, then, inserted into a outer body  130  of the post shown in  FIG. 22 . This post  130  is similar in shape to post  46 ; however, post  130  also has features  418  to engage the spinal implant  120 . This allows the post  130  to engage and align with the implant  120  such that flats on the top of the post  130 , as shown in previous figures can be aligned relative to the rod slot  122  in the spinal implant body  120 . 
     The present invention, as mentioned previously, allows the curved rod holder  70  to be of any radius and matched to the desired radius of the rod  80 . This is a unique advantage over prior art, as the curvature of the spine varies from patient to patient, and one size does not fit all. In addition, the curved rod holder  70  and instrument structure as generally shown in  100 , primarily relies on the curved rod holder  70  and curved rod  80  to place the tip  81  of the rod  80  within the spinal implant  120 . Once the tip  81  of the rod  80  is within the spinal implant body  120 , the rod  80  is linearly advanced by advancing the instrument assembly  100  to the next post  46 . As this approach is a combination of linear and curved motion, the instrument does not need all spinal implants to be on the same curve for purposes of introducing the rod  80 . In addition, the length of the rod  80  can be of almost any practical length according to what is needed for the particular patient and number of spinal implants needed. 
     To allow rod holders  70  and rods  80  of different curvatures to work, the relative curve radius increases or decreases the distance of the tip of the rod  80  to the projected center of a spinal implant connected to a post. This change can be compensated for by adjusting the height of the post. Depending on the curvature of the rod holder  70 , it may also be necessary to adjust the location of the bearings  20  and  40 . This adjustment can be done by providing a single instrument with a main body  1  that allows the bearings to be moved, or by providing more than one instrument assembly, generally shown as  100 , in an instrument set. Offsetting the location of the hole  3  in the main body  1  can also be done to change the location of where the bearings are located relative to where the post  46  contacts the spinal implant  120 . This can be done through a main body  1  having a modular nose or section to allow different lengths to be snapped in place, or again by multiple single non-modular instruments in a set. 
     The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles, exemplary embodiments, and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Technology Category: a