Spinal rod system and method

Abstract

A spinal rod system includes a first instrument extending between a proximal portion and a distal portion along a longitudinal axis thereof. The proximal portion defines an inner cavity extending along the longitudinal axis. The first instrument includes a first arm extending along the longitudinal axis. The first arm defines a portion of a vertebral construct cavity disposed in communication with the inner cavity and includes a distal end being configured to engage a bone fastener. Methods of use are disclosed.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A spinal rod system comprising:
 at least one first instrument extending along a longitudinal axis thereof and including a tubular proximal portion that defines an inner cavity and a distal portion that includes a first arm extending along the longitudinal axis and defining at least a portion of a vertebral construct cavity disposed in communication with the inner cavity,   the first arm extending distally from the proximal portion and including a first movable leg extension defining a distal engagement part and a second movable leg extension defining a distal engagement part, the leg extensions defining an axial arm cavity,   the at least one first instrument further including a first actuator arm movable within the axial arm cavity along the longitudinal axis, the actuator arm being engageable with the leg extensions to cause the distal engagement parts to move in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position such that the distal engagement parts releasably capture a bone fastener,   at least one second instrument extending between a proximal end and a distal end thereof, the at least one second instrument being disposable in the inner cavity such that the distal end of the at least one second instrument engages a bone fastener in a configuration to support the bone fastener with the distal engagement parts; and   at least one third instrument extending between a proximal end and a distal end thereof, the at least one third instrument being disposable in the inner cavity such that the distal end of the at least one third instrument is engageable with a vertebral construct disposed in the vertebral construct cavity in a configuration to move the vertebral construct into engagement with a bone fastener.   
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A spinal rod system comprising:
 at least one bone fastener;   an extender disposed along a longitudinal axis thereof and including a cylindrical proximal portion that defines an inner cavity having an inner surface and a distal portion that includes an arm extending along the longitudinal axis and defining at least a portion of a vertebral construct cavity disposed in communication with the inner cavity,   the arm extending distally from the proximal portion and including a first movable leg extension defining a distal engagement part and a second movable leg extension defining a distal engagement part, the leg extensions extending in a cantilevered configuration from the proximal portion and being oriented to define an axial arm cavity therebetween,   the extender further including an actuator arm axially movable within the axial arm cavity and a handle, connected with the actuator arm, which includes a grip surface configured to facilitate axial movement of the actuator arm, the actuator arm being engageable with the leg extensions to cause the distal engagement parts to move in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position such that the distal engagement parts releasably capture a bone fastener,   an inserter extending between a proximal end and a distal end thereof, the inserter being slidably disposable in the inner cavity and along the inner surface such that the distal end of the inserter engages the at least one bone fastener in a configuration to support the at least one bone fastener with the distal engagement parts; and   a reducer extending between a proximal end and a distal end thereof, the reducer being disposable in the inner cavity and defining an outer threaded surface, the outer threaded surface engaging the inner surface of the proximal portion of the extender to facilitate axial movement of the reducer relative to the extender such that the distal end of the reducer includes a pusher that is engageable with a vertebral construct disposed in the vertebral construct cavity in a configuration to move the vertebral construct into engagement with a bone fastener, wherein the pusher is rotatable relative to the reducer and configured to engage the first arm to prevent rotation of the pusher relative to the at least one first arm.   
     
     
         21 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the actuator arm comprises a distal head that tapers distally to an increased width such that moving the actuator arm proximally along the longitudinal axis causes the distal engagement parts to move from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         22 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the actuator arm is coupled to a handle, the handle being configured to move proximally along the longitudinal axis to cause the distal engagement parts to move from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         23 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the distal engagement parts are biased to the closed position such that moving the handle distally along the longitudinal axis causes the distal engagement parts to move from the open position to the closed position. 
     
     
         24 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the handle comprises an aperture, the tubular proximal portion extending through the aperture such that the handle is able to translate in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         25 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising the bone fastener, the bone fastener comprising a first extension and a second extension that is spaced apart from the first extension, the extensions defining a U-shaped cavity therebetween, the distal engagement parts being configured to engage the first extension such that the at least one first instrument being spaced apart from the second extension when the distal engagement parts engage the first extension. 
     
     
         26 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the first actuator arm comprises a slot that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis, the slot comprising a slide disposed therein, the slide having a first end disposed in a tapered slot of the first movable leg extension and a second end disposed in a tapered slot of the second movable leg extension such that translation of the slide along the longitudinal axis in opposite directions moves the distal engagement parts between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         27 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the tapered slots are configured to allow and limit movement of the first actuator arm and facilitate retention of the distal engagement parts in the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         28 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the inner cavity is coaxial with the longitudinal axis and the first arm is offset from the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         29 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the at least one second instrument defines an outer surface having an enlarged portion configured to friction fit with an inner surface of the proximal portion of the at least one first instrument. 
     
     
         30 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the inner surface of the proximal portion of the at least one first instrument is a non-threaded portion of the inner surface of the proximal portion. 
     
     
         31 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the non-threaded portion is positioned between threaded portions of the inner surface of the proximal portion. 
     
     
         32 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the at least one second instrument comprises an elongated body that is defined by side walls and end walls, the side walls having a greater dimension than the end walls such that the elongated body has a flattened bar configuration. 
     
     
         33 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 32 , further comprising the bone fastener, the bone fastener comprising a first extension and a second extension that is spaced apart from the first extension, the extensions defining a U-shaped cavity therebetween, wherein the end walls are positioned within the U-shaped cavity when the at least one second instrument is disposed in the inner cavity. 
     
     
         34 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the side walls defining an axial slot such that the elongated body includes a second arm and a third arm, wherein the axial slot provides the second and third arms with a spring force and flexibility to facilitate to releasable engagement with a non-threaded portion of the inner cavity, the end walls including a bulge, wherein upon disposal of the at least one second instrument within the inner cavity, the bulges are releasably engaged with the non-threaded portion the bulge, under an outward bias provided by the second and third arms is configured to interfere with the non-threaded portion to create a friction fit between the at least one first instrument and the at least one second instrument. 
     
     
         35 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the at least one third instrument defines a threaded outer surface engageable with an inner surface of the proximal portion of the at least one first instrument in a configuration to facilitate axial movement of the at least one third instrument relative to the at least one first instrument. 
     
     
         36 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising the vertebral construct, wherein the vertebral construct is a spinal rod and the distal end of the at least one third instrument includes a pusher configured to engage the spinal rod, the pusher being engageable with the first arm to prevent rotation of the pusher relative to the first arm. 
     
     
         37 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the pusher comprises a flange and spaced apart legs that extend from the flange, the legs each comprising arcuate end surfaces that define a channel configured for disposal of the spinal rod. 
     
     
         38 . A spinal rod system as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the at least one third instrument comprises a shaft having a threaded proximal end and a non-threaded distal end, the at least one third instrument comprising a pusher coupled to the distal end of the shaft such that the pusher is rotatable relative to the shaft.