Orthopedic implant rod reduction tool set and method

Abstract

A tool set for implanting a rod in a human spine in conjunction with bone screws. The tool set includes a pair of end guide tools that receive opposite ends of the rod in channels and under manipulation by a surgeon facilitate transport of the rod toward the bone screws attached to the guide tools. Intermediate guide tools having guiding pass through slots are utilized to guide intermediate locations along the rod toward associated bone screws. An attachment structure operably connects the guide tools to the bone screws. The guide tools each include a lower guide and advancement structure to allow a closure top with mating structure to be rotated and driven downward against the rod and to cooperate with similar structure in the bone screw to seat and lock the rod therein. A method utilizing the tool set allows a surgeon to percutaneously implant the rod in the patient.

1 . A tool set for implanting a spinal rod in a patient; 
 said tool set comprising:    a) a pair of end guide tools;    b) each of said end guide tools being adapted to attach at a lower end thereof to a respective spinal implant bone screw; and    c) each of said end guide tools including a longitudinal guide channel extending upwardly from said lower end thereof; each of said channels being sized and shaped to be adapted to receive opposite ends of the rod for operably guiding the rod ends toward respective bone screws.    
   
   
       2 . The tool set according to  claim 1  wherein said tool set further includes: 
 a) at least one intermediate guide tool;    b) each of said intermediate guide tools including attachment structure adapted for attachment to a respective bone screw; and    c) each of said intermediate guide tools including a longitudinal pass through slot extending from a bottom thereof upward and being adapted to receive therethrough and guide the rod to a bone screw attached to a respective intermediate guide tool.    
   
   
       3 . The tool set according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 a) said longitudinal guide channel is sized to slidingly receive both one of the ends of the rod and a closure for an associated bone screw.    
   
   
       4 . The tool set according to  claim 3  wherein: 
 a) each said end guide tool has a cutout region between said longitudinal guide channel and said guide tool lower end; said cutout being open in the rear so as to define a pass through slot sized and shaped to be adapted to allow passage therethrough of one end of the rod after the rod has been guided to near a bone screw by said channel.    
   
   
       5 . The tool set according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 a) each of said end guide tools has a lower attachment structure adapted to removably attach to a bone screw; and    b) each of said end guide tool attachment structures including a curved hook member that is sized and shaped to be adapted to be received in a receiver on a bone screw when said hook member is aligned with the receiver and rotated axially.    
   
   
       6 . The tool set according to  claim 2  wherein: 
 a) each of said intermediate tool guide slots extends to an intermediate location along the respective intermediate guide tool and at the top thereof opens into a radially outward opening upper channel with said upper channel extending to the top of said intermediate guide tool.    
   
   
       7 . The tool set according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 a) each end guide tool includes a lower end recess along said channel that is sized and shaped to abut against and bridge a portion of the rod during removal of said end guide tool from a respective bone screw, so that said end guide tool can be rotated relative to a bone screw from an attachment configuration to a removal configuration with said recess being received around the rod; said recess having a curvature that is sized and shaped to be substantially the same as the rod.    
   
   
       8 . A bone screw and rod seating assembly comprising: 
 a) a bone screw having a shank for implanting in a bone and a head with a channel adapted to receive a rod;    b) said bone screw head including a first attachment structure thereon;    c) an elongate guide tool having a radially outward facing channel extending parallel to an axis thereof and upwardly from near a bottom of said guide tool; said channel sized and shaped to receive a first end of a rod and operably guide said rod first end to said bone screw head; said guide tool being sized to partially extend above a patient's skin so as to allow percutaneous manipulation of said guide tool by a surgeon; and    d) said guide tool bottom including a second attachment structure thereon; said first and second attachment structures being mateable to releaseably secure said guide tool to said bone screw head.    
   
   
       9 . A bone screw and rod seating assembly comprising: 
 a) a bone screw having a shank for implanting in a bone and a head with channel adapted to receive a rod;    b) said bone screw head including a first attachment structure thereon;    c) an elongate guide tool having a radially pass through slot extending upwardly from near a bottom thereof; said slot being sized and shaped to receive a rod therethrough and operably guide said rod to said bone screw head; said guide tool being sized to partially extend above a patient's skin so as to allow percutaneous manipulation of said guide tool by a surgeon; and    d) said guide tool bottom including a second attachment structure thereon; said first and second attachment structures being mateable to releaseably secure said guide tool to said bone screw head.    
   
   
       10 . In a guide tool for implanting a spinal rod in a bone screw the improvement comprising: 
 a) a lower elongate channel sized and shaped to be operably located beneath a patient's skin during use and adapted to guide a rod to a bone screw connected to said guide tool; and    b) an outwardly open upper channel that is sized and shaped to side load so as to receive a closure top for the bone screw and being operably located above the patient's skin during use; said upper channel being connected with said lower channel so as to form a pass-through passageway to allow said closure top into said lower channel of said guide tool.    
   
   
       11 . A tool for implanting spinal implants in a patient; 
 said tool comprising:    a) said tool being adapted to attach at a lower end thereof to a first spinal implant; and    b) said tool including a radially outwardly opening and longitudinal guide channel extending the entire length thereof; said channel being sized and shaped to be adapted to receive an end of a rod like second implant for operably guiding the second implant toward said first implant.    
   
   
       12 . The tool according to  claim 11  including: 
 a) a lower portion that is sized and shaped to be located beneath a patient's skin during use and an upper portion located outside of the patient during use; and    b) said lower portion having attachment structure thereon adapted to removably attach said tool to said first implant.    
   
   
       13 . The tool according to  claim 12  in combination with said first implant.  
   
   
       14 . The tool and implant combination according to  claim 13  wherein: 
 a) said first implant is a bone screw.    
   
   
       15 . The tool and implant according to  claim 13  wherein: 
 a) said first implant is a hook.    
   
   
       16 . The tool and implant combination according to  claim 13  wherein: 
 a) said bone screw has an upper head with a rod receiving channel therein;    b) said attachment structure being configured to attach said tool to said head such that said tool longitudinal channel aligns with said head rod receiving channel, such that a rod received in said tool channel is guided downwardly by said tool to be received in said head tool receiving channel.