The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 05, 2024
Filed:
Oct. 04, 2021
Stryker European Operations Holdings Llc, Kalamazoo, MI (US);
Charles L. Bush, Jr., Wayne, NJ (US);
Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC, Kalamazoo, MI (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and methods for accessing the spine to place implants. In one embodiment, a system includes an adjustable rod structure having four rods radially surrounding a probe, a ring and a retractor. The adjustable rod structure is configured to have a closed and open profile controlled by the retractor such that the open profile creates a space between rods of the structure. The ring is configured to be placed within retracted rods to maintain the open profile after retraction. In a method embodiment, the adjustable rod structure is inserted through a percutaneous incision in the closed position until it reaches a target site. The retractor is then attached to the rods and used to retract the rods. The probe is then removed from within an opening created and a ring is advanced into the opening to hold the rods in place.