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:
Feb. 23, 2010
Filed:
Sep. 29, 2004
David Gerber, West Chester, PA (US);
Shaun Hanson, West Chester, PA (US);
Xiaoping HU, Oreland, PA (US);
Douglas Scott Kephart, Glen Mills, PA (US);
Kyle Kuntz, West Chester, PA (US);
Andrew Max Lee, Oreland, PA (US);
David Gerber, West Chester, PA (US);
Shaun Hanson, West Chester, PA (US);
Xiaoping Hu, Oreland, PA (US);
Douglas Scott Kephart, Glen Mills, PA (US);
Kyle Kuntz, West Chester, PA (US);
Andrew Max Lee, Oreland, PA (US);
Synthes USA, LLC, West Chester, PA (US);
Abstract
A system for performing a less invasive surgical procedure and, in particular, devices and methods for spinal fixation. The system comprises dilation tool(s), at least one working/insertion cannula, a plurality of screws, at least one fixation rod for connecting the screws, and a rod inserter. The dilation tool(s) may be used to dilate an incision made in a patient to form an opening. An insertion cannula may be attached to a screw and inserted into the opening. The screws may be polyaxial screws and may be inserted into the vertebrae using a screwdriver. An operator may then move the insertion cannula to manipulate a head portion of the screws such that the head portions may be aligned to receive a fixation rod. A rod inserter may be used to insert a fixation rod into the head portions.