Tyco Healthcare Group LP

Spine Wave, Inc.

Thomas J Barbieri

Jonathan Martinek

Lawrence M Boyd

Tim E Adamson

Daniel T Robbins

Joshua M Morin

Shresta Marigowda

Edward Charles Skolnick

John J Ratcliffe

Kara Michelle Faulkner

Mary Elizabeth Stuart

A percutaneous system in which tubular retractors are utilized as a means of access, visualization, and a controlled orientation for preparation of posterior spinal elements and delivery of graft material for posterior spinal fusion. The tubular retractors are affixed to screw extensions to rotate and articulate relative to multi-axial screws percutaneously inserted into respective pedicles of vertebral bodies. The procedure is done bilaterally, although it could be performed unilaterally in cases where the anatomy or surgeon preference dictates. A number of different deployable graft concepts are disclosed, the primary features being to allow for creation of a graft space volume and a means for delivery of the graft material preferred by the surgeon.

Minimally invasive posterolateral fusion

An expandable sizer instrument for distracting and spacing opposing vertebral bodies of a spine comprises an elongate hollow shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having opposed distal and proximal ends. An actuator is provided at the proximal end and an expandable distractor is provided at the distal end. An elongate push rod extends within the shaft, a proximal end of the push rod being coupled to the actuator and a distal end being coupled to the expandable distractor. The distractor comprises a lower plate immovably attached to the shaft, and an upper plate coupled to the lower plate by a linkage mechanism fully contained within the perimeter of the distractor and operable to move the upper plate away from the lower plate in an expansion direction substantially parallel to the lower plate. The linkage mechanism comprises two laterally spaced linkage pairs with a middle link disposed therebetween.

Expandable sizer instrument for spacing vertebral bodies

A suture anchor includes an outer sleeve having a longitudinal throughbore and defining leading and trailing ends and an insert positionable within the longitudinal throughbore of the outer sleeve. The insert defines at least one suture track for slidably supporting a suture whereby opposed free ends of the suture extend from the at least one suture track through the longitudinal throughbore to extend beyond the trailing end of the outer sleeve to be tensioned and secured relative to the tissue. The outer sleeve may include an external thread for threaded rotation and advancement into the tissue.

Suture anchors

Growing community of inventors

Hamden, CT, United States of America

Thomas J Barbieri