System and method for aligning vertebrae in the amelioration of aberrant spinal column deviation conditions

摘要

A system and method for ameliorating spinal column anomalies, such as scoliosis, includes bone screws which are to be implanted in the pedicle region(s) of individual to-be-derotated vertebrae and in vertebrae to which balancing forces must be applied as the spinal column is derotated en mass to achieve an over-all correction of the condition. A pedicle screw cluster derotation tool simultaneously engages multiple pedicle screws and transmits rotative forces to multiple vertebrae to effect a whole-spine correction. Precontoured spinal rods are engaged post-derotation to secure the correction.

主权项

1. A system for aligning human vertebrae comprising:
a first set of at least three pedicle screws, each pedicle screw having a threaded shank and a head, said first set of pedicle screws adapted to be implanted in a first group of at least three vertebrae; a first pedicle screw cluster derotation tool adapted to facilitate simultaneous application of rotative force in a single motion to said first group of at least three vertebrae, said first pedicle screw cluster derotation tool having a first set of at least three pedicle screw engagement members configured to engage the heads of the corresponding first set of at least three pedicle screws, said first set of pedicle screw engagement members being interconnected by a first linking member such that application of rotative force in the single motion to said pedicle screw engagement members simultaneously moves all of the interconnected pedicle screw engagement members; a second set of at least three pedicle screws, each pedicle screw of said second set of pedicle screws having a threaded shank and a head, said second set of pedicle screws adapted to be implanted in said first group of at least three vertebrae; a second pedicle screw cluster derotation tool adapted to facilitate simultaneous application of rotative force in the single motion to said first group of at least three vertebrae, said second pedicle screw cluster derotation tool having a second set of at least three pedicle screw engagement members configured to engage the heads of the corresponding second set of at least three pedicle screws, said second set of pedicle screw engagement members being interconnected by a second linking member such that application of the rotative force in the single motion to one or more of the pedicle screw engagement members of said first or second set of pedicle screw engagement members simultaneously moves all of the respectively interconnected pedicle screw engagement members of said first and second set of pedicle screw engagement members; and a cross-linking member interconnecting said first set of pedicle screw engagement members and said second set of pedicle screw engagement members; wherein each pedicle screw engagement member of said first and second set of pedicle screw engagement members is configured to transmit the rotative force to said head of said pedicle screw to which said respective pedicle screw engagement member is engaged so as to be adapted to simultaneously rotate the vertebrae of the first group of at least three vertebrae.