Systems and methods for minimally invasive surgical procedures FO systems

摘要

One nonlimiting embodiment of the present application is directed to a system for positioning a connecting element adjacent one or more bones or bony portions, such as the spinal column, through a minimally invasive surgical approach. The system generally includes a number of bone anchors engageable to the one or more bones or bony portions and a number of anchor extenders removably engaged to the bone anchors. A connecting element inserter instrument is engageable with one of the anchor extenders and is movable along a longitudinal axis of the anchor extender. As the inserter instrument is moved along the longitudinal axis toward the bone anchors, a leading end of the connecting element is rotated away from the longitudinal axis and the connecting element is positioned at a location adjacent the number of bone anchors in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. However, in other embodiments, different forms and applications are envisioned.

主权项

1. An anchor extender, comprising:
an elongated body extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; a first pair of engaging members coupled with said elongated body adjacent said distal end portion such that said first pair of engaging members are pivotable relative to one another, said first pair of engaging members being movable between a first configuration for receiving and releasing a first portion of a bone anchor and a second configuration for engaging said first portion of said bone anchor; a second pair of engaging members coupled with said elongated body adjacent said distal end portion and opposite of said first pair of engaging members such that said second pair of engaging members are pivotable relative to one another, said second pair of engaging members being movable between a first configuration for receiving and releasing a second portion of said bone anchor and a second configuration for engaging said second portion of said bone anchor; and a locking mechanism axially displaceable relative to said elongated body, wherein said locking mechanism is configured to lock said first and second pairs of engaging members in said second configuration.