Systems and methods for percutaneous spinal fusion

摘要

A system for percutaneous spinal fusion may include two spaced apart blades connected together by a coupling such that the blades define a percutaneous pathway from a skin incision to an implanted pedicle fastener. The coupling may be c-shaped and may have at least one flexible tab for engaging one or more holes along the length of the blades. If one of the blades becomes disconnected from the pedicle fastener, a supplemental access device may be provided comprising a tubular body having a channel therein for receiving the other of the blades. If both of the blades become disconnected, a supplemental access device may be provided comprising a gripping member received within a locking member. The gripping member may have two legs engageable with the pedicle fastener, and the locking member may move along the gripping member to prevent the legs from disengaging the pedicle fastener.

主权项

1. An access device for percutaneously accessing a pedicle fastener connected to a vertebra of a patient, the access device comprising:
an elongate gripping member including a body portion, a first leg, and a second leg, the first and second legs each having a proximal portion connected to the body portion and a distal portion for engagement with a head of a pedicle fastener, the distal portion of the first leg including a first prong and a second prong, and the distal portion of the second leg including a third prong and a fourth prong, the first and second prongs having a first longitudinal slot therebetween permitting the first and second prongs to spread apart from one another, and the third and fourth prongs having a second longitudinal slot therebetween permitting the third and fourth prongs to spread apart from one another, wherein the distal portions of the first and second legs are deflectable away from one another to engage and disengage the head of the pedicle fastener, and wherein the first and second legs of the gripping member define a first pass-through slot therebetween, the first pass-through slot adapted to receive a spinal fusion rod therethrough; and an elongate locking member connected to and movable relative to the gripping member between a retracted position and a locked position, wherein the locking member prevents the first and second legs of the gripping member from deflecting away from one another when in the locked position; wherein the access device includes at least one projection arranged within the first slot, and wherein the projection is adapted to move along the first slot to cause the first and second prongs to spread apart from one another.