Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Revision System

Abstract

The present invention describes a system, devices and methods for percutaneous pedicle screw revision procedures. The present invention utilizes a tulip rod stub/connector adapted to be used to extend pedicle screw/rod constructs with minimal disruption to surrounding soft tissue and without having to remove existing hardware.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for percutaneous pedicle screw revision procedures comprises:
 a first or new spinal rod;   a tulip rod stub-connector to extend pedicle screw and rod constructs having a first member to engage and connect to the first or new spinal rod and a second member to engage and connect to an existing spinal rod, the first member having a saddle or tulip having two generally parallel arms extending from a base and sized to receive the first or new spinal rod and second member having two partially parallel arms spaced from the base of the first member and second member having two partially parallel arms spaced from the base of the first member and separated by a base of the second member, one of said arms having a hooked end portion spaced from the opposite arm to form an opening to pass onto an existing spinal rod;   a screw inclined in a threaded opening of one arm to fasten the tulip connector to the existing rod by pressing the rod into and against the arm with a hooked end; and   wherein the first member and second member of the tulip rod stub-connector are connected to an intermediate member and the second member is positioned offset relative to the first member.   
     
     
         2 . The system for percutaneous pedicle screw revision procedures of  claim 1  wherein the intermediate portion has a first intermediate portion aligned with a vertical axis and a second intermediate portion angled from the first member. 
     
     
         3 . The system for percutaneous pedicle screw revision procedures of  claim 2  wherein the second intermediate portion is coupled to the second member whereby the second member is positioned in an offset orientation, off-center from the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . The system for percutaneous pedicle screw revision procedures of  claim 3  wherein the orientation of the new spinal rod to be attached to a previous construct when the relationship of the existing spinal rod to the new spinal rod is not linear. 
     
     
         5 . The method of performing a revision comprises the steps of:
 passing a blunt dilator to an existing rod of an existing spinal construct using a series of dilators, each dilator having different diameters, the dilators having a beveled edge at the distal end to be held in place on the rod, one of said dilators has a curved surface at the distal end for use as a tissue distractor, removing any soft tissue at the attachment point of the existing rod;   once the last dilator is in place, passing a tulip rod stub-connector through so that a second member of the tulip rod stub-connector is delivered to the existing rod;   securing the tulip rod stub-connector tightly to the rod.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprises:
 passing a nut through the dilator or a separate extension or tower to provisionally tighten against the rod and placing a new pedicle screw at the new and adjacent level using K-wire percutaneous screw delivery systems; 
 aligning the tulip and the new pedicle screw tulip so that the surgeon can pass the new rod from one tulip to another; and 
 inserting lock screws into each of the tulips and performing a final tightening. 
 
     
     
         7 . A kit comprising the necessary components to provide for the percutaneous pedicel screw revision system wherein the kit has a container, the container stores a plurality of existing spinal construct extenders with different sizes, including one or more of universal clamp, 5/5 clamp, 4/5 clamp, 6/5 clamping, or ¼ inch clamp, having a center orientation, an off-centered orientation, a plurality of first members and second members for providing for modular devices, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7  further includes a plurality of differently sized actuating nuts, a plurality of set screws and a plurality of rods and other hardware including a set of dilators or extension towers and a wrench for engagement with the actuating nuts.