Spinecore, Inc.

K2 Medical, LLC

Josef E Gorek

A system and method for reinforcing bone in preparation for screw implantation. One system embodiment comprises a threaded and centrally bored cannula with a perforated distal end, a cannula applicator frictionally fitting within the central bore, a plunger translating within the central bore (the plunger having a internal longitudinal guide wire), bone cement, and a cannulated drill bit. One method embodiment comprises drilling and tapping a hole in a vertebral body, inserting the applicator into the central bore, screwing the cannula into the tapped hole by rotating the applicator, removing the applicator, injecting the bone cement into the central bore, distributing the bone cement out the holes in the distal end of the cannula and into the surrounding bone using the plunger, letting the bone cement harden, and drilling out the plunger using the cannulated drill following the guide wire.

System and method for reinforcing bone in preparation for screw implantation

A gravity dependent pedicle screw tap hole guide comprises a guide shaft maintainable parallel to a drill bit during the drilling of a pedicle screw tap hole; a level indicator associated with a reference direction and responsive to gravity to provide feedback regarding an angular difference between an acting direction of gravity and the reference direction; and a mounting attaching the indicator to the shaft and establishing a positional relationship between the reference direction and the longitudinal axis. Using the guide involves angulating the shaft about its distal end adjacent the base of the superior articular process and the base and middle of the transverse process until the guide indicates that the angular orientation of the longitudinal axis matches the previously determined pedicle axis orientation with respect to the acting direction of gravity, and then drilling the tap hole along a trajectory established by the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

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Larkspur, CA, United States of America

Josef E Gorek