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:
May. 24, 2011
Filed:
Jun. 21, 2007
Jeff R. Justis, Collierville, TN (US);
John D. Pond, Jr., Germantown, TN (US);
Larry T. Mcbride, Jr., Memphis, TN (US);
Jeff R. Justis, Collierville, TN (US);
John D. Pond, Jr., Germantown, TN (US);
Larry T. McBride, Jr., Memphis, TN (US);
Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Abstract
Systems for positioning a connecting element adjacent the spinal column in minimally invasive surgical procedures include one or more extenders removably engaged to one or more anchors engaged to a bony segment. The anchor extenders provide a reference to the respective anchor locations within the patient even when the anchor is obstructed by skin and/or tissue of the patient. An inserter can be movably mounted to the one or more anchor extenders, or an inserter can be employed without mounting to the one or more anchor extenders. In either form, the inserter is operable to position a stabilization element relative to the anchors for engagement to the anchors to stabilize the bony segment to which the anchors are engaged. At least one of the one or more anchor extenders includes a reduction assembly that is operable to move one or more portions of the bony segment while maintaining the minimally invasive character of the procedure.