Elastic member clamps

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9433441-B2
Application number	US-201314053281-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 14, 2013
Priority date	Mar 5, 2013
Publication date	Sep 6, 2016
Grant date	Sep 6, 2016

Abstract

The present application generally relates to orthopedic stabilization systems, and in particular, to systems including clamps. The clamps can be used in addition to or to replace hooks that grasp onto bone members, such as the lamina. One example of such a clamp is an in-line clamp that includes a central opening for receiving a rod member, a first opening for receiving a set screw and a second opening for receiving an elastic member therethrough. Another example of such a clamp is an off-set clamp that includes an upper plate, a bottom plate, and an opening for receiving a rod therein. The upper plate can be separated from the bottom plate to make space for an elastic member that can be secured within the plates. Tulip clamps that utilize one or more elastic members are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A surgical system comprising:
a clamp receiving a rod and an elastic member therein, wherein the elastic member extends around a portion of the rod and is configured to wrap around a bone member, wherein the clamp comprises a first lower opening, a second lower opening and an upper opening, wherein a first end of the elastic member passes through the first lower opening and a second end of the elastic member passes through the second lower opening such that both the first end and the second end of the elastic member can pass through the upper opening,
an instrument configured to hold the clamp and tension the elastic member, the instrument comprising a clamp holder with tips for grasping the clamp and a tensioner driver for increasing tension on the elastic member,
wherein the clamp further comprises a set screw opening,
wherein a set screw is received in the set screw opening, and the set screw engages the elastic member when the set screw is positioned through the set screw opening,
and
wherein the upper opening is located between the first lower opening and the set screw opening and the set screw opening is located between the upper opening and the second lower opening.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the clamp further comprises an inner opening formed by an inner curved wall of the clamp, wherein the inner curved wall includes a groove for receiving the elastic member.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instrument further comprises an outer sleeve operably attached to the clamp holder.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the outer sleeve comprises a pair of slots through which the elastic member of the clamp can pass therethrough.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instrument further comprises an elastic member lock for receiving a portion of the elastic member therein.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the instrument includes an outer sleeve having elongate slots at a distal end, and the elastic member passes through the slots when the instrument is holding the clamp.

7. A surgical system comprising:
a clamp receiving a bushing and a set screw therein, wherein the clamp further receives a rod member and an elastic member, wherein the elastic member extends around a portion of the rod member, wherein the clamp comprises a first lower opening, a second lower opening and an upper opening, wherein a first end of the elastic member passes through the first lower opening and a second end of the elastic member passes through the second lower opening such that both the first end and the second end of the elastic member can pass through the upper opening, wherein the clamp further comprises a set screw opening and wherein a set screw is received in the set screw opening, wherein the upper opening is located between the first lower opening and the set screw opening and the set screw opening is located between the upper opening and the second lower opening, and
an instrument configured to hold the clamp, wherein the instrument comprises an outer sleeve and a clamp holder for grasping the clamp, the clamp holder operatively connected to the outer sleeve, wherein the clamp holder comprises flexible tips, and the outer sleeve includes elongate slots at a distal end, wherein the elastic member passes through the slots when the instrument is holding the clamp.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the flexible tips of the clamp holder are flexible due to flexible cuts.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the flexible tips of the clamp holder are flexible due to hinges.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the instrument is configured to apply tension to the elongate member while holding the clamp.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the instrument comprises a tensioner driver for applying tension to the elastic member while the elastic member is held by one or more elastic member locks.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more elastic member locks are in the shape of wings with a slit formed therein.

13. The system of claim 7 , wherein the instrument further comprises a clamp holder handle for placing the flexible tips in either an open or closed configuration, wherein in the closed configuration the clamp holder has a greater grip on the clamp than in the open configuration.

14. A surgical system comprising:
a clamp receiving a rod member and an elastic member, wherein the elastic member extends around a portion of the rod member, wherein the clamp comprises a first lower opening, a second lower opening and an upper opening, wherein a first end of the elastic member passes through the first lower opening and a second end of the elastic member passes through the second lower opening such that both the first end and the second end of the elastic member can pass through the upper opening, and
an instrument configured to hold the clamp, wherein the instrument comprises a clamp holder for grasping the clamp and a tensioner driver for tensioning the elastic member,
wherein the clamp further comprises a set screw opening,
wherein a set screw is received in the set screw opening, and the set screw engages the elastic member when the set screw is positioned through the set screw opening, and
wherein the upper opening is located between the first lower opening and the set screw opening and the set screw opening is located between the upper opening and the second lower opening.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the instrument comprises an outer sleeve operably attached to the clamp holder, wherein the outer sleeve is capable of axial translation along a longitudinal length of the instrument.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the outer sleeve is actuated by a clamp holder handle.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the tensioner driver works in conjunction with an elastic member base to increase tension on the elastic member.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the instrument further comprises a pair of elastic member locks for receiving different ends of the elastic member.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the elastic member locks each comprise an opening for receiving a portion of the elastic member therethrough.

Assignees

• Globus Medical Inc

Inventors

• George Milan
• Palmer Rory
• Artaki Alexander
• Perkins John
• Friedrich Adam
• Glerum Chad
• Nichols Jeff
• Pham Khiem
• Harper Michael
• Hansell Noah
• Castle Richard
• Lawson Stephan

Classifications

• A61B17/7086

  Rod reducers, i.e. devices providing a mechanical advantage to allow a user to force a rod into or onto an anchor head other than by means of a rod-to-bone anchor locking element; rod removers · CPC title

• A61B17/7041 Primary

  with single longitudinal rod offset laterally from single row of screws or hooks (A61B17/7044 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B17/7053

  with parts attached to bones or to each other by flexible wires, straps, sutures or cables · CPC title

• A61B17/8869

  Tensioning devices · CPC title