Instruments and related methods for breaking reduction tabs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11744628-B2
Application number	US-202017024670-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 17, 2020
Priority date	Mar 14, 2017
Publication date	Sep 5, 2023
Grant date	Sep 5, 2023

Abstract

Instruments and related methods for breaking reduction tabs are disclosed herein, e.g., for breaking reduction tabs of a bone anchor or other implant. In some embodiments, the instrument can be configured to minimize the space needed to operate the instrument. For example, the instrument can be configured to receive a reduction tab that is to be broken while the instrument is coaxially positioned with respect to a bone anchor receiver to which the reduction tab is attached. As another example, the instrument can have a maximum outer transverse dimension that is less than, equal to, or only slightly greater than a corresponding dimension of a bone anchor from which a reduction tab is to be broken. Guide rods for positioning a tab breaker instrument over a reduction tab are also disclosed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of breaking a reduction tab, comprising:
advancing a distal end of a guide rod into a recess of a bone anchor;
advancing a tab breaker instrument distally over the guide rod to move a distal end of the instrument over first and second reduction tabs extending proximally from a receiver of the bone anchor such that the first reduction tab is received within a first opening of a first shaft of the instrument, such that the second reduction tab is received within a second opening of a second shaft of the instrument, and such that a central longitudinal axis of the instrument is collinear with a central longitudinal axis of the receiver; and
manipulating the first and second shafts to break the first and second reduction tabs off of the receiver.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein manipulating the shafts comprises separating the shafts such that a central longitudinal axis of the first shaft is obliquely angled with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the second shaft and with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the receiver.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein manipulating the shafts comprises independently:
obliquely angling the first shaft relative to the receiver to break the first reduction tab; and
obliquely angling the second shaft relative to the receiver to break the second reduction tab.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein manipulating the shafts comprises obliquely angling both shafts in the same direction relative to the receiver while sliding one shaft longitudinally along the other shaft.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein obliquely angling both shafts in the same direction further comprises obliquely angling both shafts in the same direction with the first and second shafts in direct abutment with one another.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bone anchor is implanted in a bone of a patient such that the reduction tabs do not protrude above a skin surface of the patient.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising retaining the broken first and second reduction tabs within the instrument.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising moving the instrument proximally away from the bone anchor with the broken first reduction tab retained within the first shaft and the broken second reduction tab retained within the second shaft.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein advancing the instrument over the first and second reduction tabs further comprises advancing the instrument with the first and second shafts parallel to one another.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instrument includes at least one alignment feature to selectively restrict relative motion between the first and second shafts.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one alignment feature is a cap at a proximal end of the instrument, the method further comprising removing the cap from the instrument such that the first and second shafts can be obliquely angled relative to one another.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one alignment feature further comprises complementary engagement features formed on the first and second shafts such that the engagement feature of the first shaft mates with the engagement feature of the second shafts to restrict relative movement therebetween.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein manipulating the shafts comprises rotating the first shaft about a central longitudinal axis of the first shaft to break the first reduction tab.

14. A method of breaking a reduction tab, comprising:
advancing a distal end of a guide rod into a recess of a bone anchor;
advancing a tab breaker instrument distally over the guide rod to move a distal end of the instrument over a reduction tab extending proximally from a receiver of the bone anchor such that the reduction tab is received within a first opening of the instrument, and such that a central longitudinal axis of the instrument is collinear with a central longitudinal axis of the receiver; and
manipulating the instrument to break the reduction tab off of the receiver.

15. A method of breaking a reduction tab, comprising:
advancing a tab breaker instrument over first and second reduction tabs extending proximally from a receiver of a bone anchor such that the first reduction tab is received within a first opening of a first shaft of the instrument, such that the second reduction tab is received within a second opening of a second shaft of the instrument, and such that a central longitudinal axis of the instrument is collinear with a central longitudinal axis of the receiver; and
obliquely angling the first and second shafts in the same direction relative to the receiver while sliding one shaft longitudinally along the other shaft with the first and second shafts in direct abutment with one another to break the reduction tabs off of the receiver.

Assignees

• Medos Int Sarl

Inventors

• Erramilli Seetal
• Spratt Frank
• Mellor Grant
• Culhane Chris
• Stungo Ben
• Talis Joanna

Classifications

• A61B17/8863 Primary

  Apparatus for shaping or cutting osteosynthesis equipment by medical personnel · CPC title

• A61B17/7074

  Tools specially adapted for spinal fixation operations other than for bone removal or filler handling (A61B17/7062, A61B17/808, A61B17/8858 take precedence; for spinal image producing devices A61B90/36, A61B34/20; markers A61B90/39) · CPC title

• A61B17/7079

  Tools requiring anchors to be already mounted on an implanted longitudinal or transverse element, e.g. where said element guides the anchor motion · CPC title