Awl-tipped pedicle screw and method of implanting same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9949776-B2
Application number	US-201615159426-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 19, 2016
Priority date	May 28, 2010
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

A bone screw and method of inserting the same is disclosed. In one example, the bone screw includes an awl tip for creating a pilot hole in the pedicle of a vertebra without having to predrill a starter hole. One or more threads located adjacent to the awl tip engage the wall of the pilot hole and draw the screw into the bone, thereby eliminating the need to drill and tap a hole in the bone prior to implantation of the screw.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bone screw, comprising:
a tip portion comprising an awl tip and a tapered portion proximate to said awl tip, said awl tip comprising a plurality of flat surfaces, said awl tip having a pyramidal configuration capable of creating a hole in bone;
a shank portion proximate to said tapered portion;
a head portion proximate to said shank portion, said head portion being rotatable relative to said shank portion; and
at least one helical thread which begins at said tapered portion and continues through said shank portion, said tapered portion being continuously tapered from at least a distal end of said at least one helical thread to said plurality of flat surfaces, said shank portion comprising a spiral flute that extends through said at least one helical thread and into said tapered portion.

2. The bone screw of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of flat surfaces comprises three flat surfaces.

3. The bone screw of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of flat surfaces comprises three flat surfaces, said flat surfaces intersecting at a common point.

4. The bone screw of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of flat surfaces comprises three flat surfaces that converge at a distalmost tip of the tip portion.

5. The bone screw of claim 1 , wherein said flute extends through all of said shank portion.

6. The bone screw of claim 1 , wherein said flute extends continuously from said shank portion to said tapered portion.

7. The bone screw of claim 1 , wherein said flute further comprises a cutting edge.

8. A pedicle screw, comprising:
a tip portion located at a distal end of said pedicle screw, said tip portion comprising an awl tip and a tapered portion proximate to said awl tip, said awl tip comprising a plurality of flat surfaces, said awl tip having a pyramidal configuration capable of starting a hole in bone;
a head portion located at a proximal end of said pedicle screw;
a shank portion disposed between said tapered portion and said head portion, said head portion being rotatable relative to said shank portion; and
at least one thread beginning at said tapered portion and continuing in said shank portion, said at least one thread overlapping a portion of said awl tip, said tapered portion being continuously tapered from at least a distal end of said at least one thread to said plurality of flat surfaces, said shank portion comprising a spiral flute that extends through said at least one thread and into said tapered portion.

9. The bone screw of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of flat surfaces comprises three flat surfaces.

10. The bone screw of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of flat surfaces comprises three flat surfaces, said flat surfaces intersecting at a common point.

11. The bone screw of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of flat surfaces comprises three flat surfaces that converge at a distalmost tip of the tip portion.

12. The pedicle screw of claim 8 , wherein said flute extends through all of said shank portion.

13. The pedicle screw of claim 8 , wherein said flute extends into said shank portion.

14. The pedicle screw of claim 8 , wherein said flute extends continuously from said shank portion to said tapered portion.

15. The pedicle screw of claim 8 , wherein said flute further comprises a cutting edge.

16. A bone screw, comprising:
a tip portion, comprising an awl tip, a tapered portion proximate to said awl tip and at least one thread, said awl tip comprising a plurality of flat surfaces;
a shank portion, located proximate to said tapered portion and comprising part of the at least one thread of the tip portion, said shank portion comprising a spiral flute that extends through said at least one thread and into said tapered portion; and
a head portion proximate to said shank portion and adapted to receive a driving tool, said head portion being rotatable relative to said shank portion;
wherein said awl tip has a pyramidal configuration capable of creating a hole in bone when torsional force is applied to the screw;
wherein said tapered portion is continuously tapered from a distal end of said at least one thread to said plurality of flat surfaces, said at least one thread being configured to engage walls of the hole created by said awl tip and draw the screw into bone.

17. The bone screw of claim 16 , wherein said plurality of flat surfaces comprises three flat surfaces.

18. The bone screw of claim 16 , wherein said plurality of flat surfaces comprises three flat surfaces, said flat surfaces intersecting at a common point.

19. The bone screw of claim 16 , wherein said plurality of flat surfaces comprises three flat surfaces that converge at a distalmost tip of the tip portion.

20. The bone screw of claim 16 , wherein said at least one thread is spaced apart from said flat surfaces.

Assignees

• Warsaw Orthopedic Inc
• Warsaw Orhtopedic Inc

Inventors

• Mobasser Jean-Pierre
• Rampersaud Y Raja

Classifications

• A61B17/7037

  wherein pivoting is blocked when the rod is clamped · CPC title

• A61B17/8635 Primary

  Tips of screws · CPC title

• A61B17/863

  with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper · CPC title