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EP-4044935-B1 - INTERNAL PEDICLE INSULATOR

EP4044935B1EP 4044935 B1EP4044935 B1EP 4044935B1EP-4044935-B1

Inventors

  • CHAPPUIS, JAMES L.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20201016

Claims (9)

  1. An implant (600) for shielding a pedicle screw comprising: a proximate end (601) and a distal end (607); a smooth channel surface (801) symmetrically bisected by a medial axis (627) extending longitudinally between the proximate end and the distal end, the smooth channel surface terminating at a left edge and a right edge; wherein one or more ridges (701) symmetrically oriented along the medial axis and forming a ridge surface opposite the substantially smooth channel surface, each ridge including a first fixation surface (1105); a left teeth section (605) extending outwardly from the left edge at an acute left runner angle (1103) from a horizontal plane passing through the left edge and the right edge; and a right teeth section (605) extending outwardly from the right edge at an acute right runner angle (1103) from the horizontal plane, wherein the left teeth section and the right teeth section each comprise one or more teeth having a second fixation surface (619).
  2. The implant of claim 1, wherein each tooth of the one or more teeth comprises a generally trapezoidal prism shape.
  3. The implant of claim 1, wherein the ridge surface extends longitudinally between the proximate end and the distal end, or wherein each first fixation surface (1105) is disposed towards the proximate end and is oriented orthogonal to the medial axis.
  4. The implant of claim 1, wherein a length of the medial axis between the proximate end and the distal end is about 15 mm to 50 mm.
  5. The implant of claim 1, wherein the implant further comprises a tip (609) near the distal end, preferably wherein the implant comprises a sloped surface (611) between a ridge of the ridge section to the tip.
  6. The implant of claim 1, wherein: the implant further comprises a proximate face (603) located near the proximate end of the implant, the proximate face comprising a body section and the left teeth section and the right teeth section; the body section includes a curved top surface and a curved bottom surface; the curved bottom surface terminates at a left end point and a right end point, wherein: a bottom surface of the left teeth section extends outwardly from the left end point at the left runner angle; and a bottom surface of the right teeth section extends outwardly from the right end point at the right runner angle.
  7. The implant of claim 1, wherein the angle of the acute left runner angle is approximately 0- 30°, preferably wherein the angle of the acute right runner angle is substantially similar to the angle of the acute left runner angle.
  8. The implant of claim 1, wherein the angle of the acute left runner angle is approximately 0- 60°, preferably wherein the angle of the acute right runner angle is substantially similar to the angle of the acute left runner angle.
  9. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first and the second fixation surfaces are orthogonal to an insertion direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present technology relates generally to surgical instruments and tools. In particular, pedicle insulator assemblies and methods of insertion are described. BACKGROUND Spinal fusion typically involves the removal of damaged disc material between two adjacent vertebrae and the subsequent insertion of one or more interbody devices into the emptied disc space, either using an anterior or a posterior approach. In order to ensure primary stability, the surgeon usually adopts a fixation system that is anchored to the spine by means of orthopedic screws implanted into the pedicles of the vertebrae that are to be fused together. The single screws are connected together by means of rigid or semi-rigid rods, which are conveniently housed within a transversal hole provided in the screw head. Since the FDA approval of pedicle screws, approximately 200,000 instrumented fusions occur each year in the US. There is very limited tolerance between the pedicle screw and the nerve root with the inferomedial wall of the pedicle (approx. 1-2mm). Current minimally invasive techniques increase risk of malposition. The pedicle screw may be inserted off center, such as, for example, too medial, which may impinge on the associated nerve root causing pain. This requires a repositioning of the screw. However, even after repositioning there may be an effect on the pedicle wall, which can still cause nerve root irritation. Such procedures are also susceptible to loosening of the screw. Prior art citation WO2004/089230A1 discloses a bone pin which is used to screw in a screw, for example for the mutual fixation of bone fragments by means of an osteosynthesis plate, whereby a lightly conical pin housing comprises a through-hole having the same cross-section along the length thereof. The pin housing is interrupted along a continuous housing line by a longitudinal slit. The pin housing has a continuous C-shaped cross-section and a flat head-shape defining head flange is formed on the head part of the pin. The head part of the pin housing is sloped in the region of the longitudinal slit, the width thereof decreasing from the head flange to the pin housing. The pin housing comprises annular ribs on the outer side thereof with longitudinal ribs extending therebetween in a peripheral direction in an offset manner. Prior art citation WO 0066044A1 discloses spinal fusion implants for placement into a disc space in a human spine between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implants have opposite arcuate portions with lockable screws passing therethrough for engaging each of the adjacent vertebral bodies. The implants are adapted for use in side-by-side pairs such that a portion of the circumference of a first implant nests within the circumference of a second implant, so as to have a reduced combined width. Prior art citation DE 3923411 A1 discloses a junction element for osteosynthesis consisting of a hollow sleeve, which is preferably elastically deformable and can be spread open, and which has an internal diameter decreasing in the direction from an end face, and also consisting of a pin whose external diameter is greater than the smallest internal diameter and smaller than the greatest internal diameter of the sleeve and whose length corresponds essentially to the length of the inner bore of the sleeve, the sleeve and the pin consisting of resorbable material. BRIEF SUMMARY The invention is defined by the independent claim, to which reference should now be made. Preferred features are set out in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and/or aspects of the disclosure and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present technology. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment, and wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pedicle insulator implant assembly, according to one embodiment.FIG. 2A is a top view showing an embodiment of a cylindrical wall, according to one embodiment.FIG. 2B is a side view of FIG. 2 A, according to one embodiment.FIG. 2C is a top view showing another embodiment of a cylindrical wall, according to one embodiment.FIG. 2D is a side view of FIG. 2C, according to one embodiment.FIG. 2E is a top view showing a further embodiment of a cylindrical wall, according to one embodiment.FIG. 2 F is a side view of FIG. 2E, according to one embodiment.FIG. 2G is a top view showing a cylindrical wall, according to one embodiment.FIG. 2H is a side view of FIG. 2G, according to one embodiment.FIGS. 3A-3C are segment views showing various embodiments of a rough segment of a cylindrical wall, according to one embodiment.FIG. 4 is a segment view showing, according to one embodi