Fusion rod insertion in percutaneous fusion surgery

Abstract

A fusion rod includes mounting structures located at different places thereon, and a first flexible element attached to one of the mounting structures and a second flexible element attached to another of the mounting structures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus comprising:
 a fusion rod comprising mounting structures located at different places thereon; and   a first flexible element attached to one of said mounting structures and a second flexible element attached to another of said mounting structures.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said mounting structures are holes formed in said fusion rod. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexible elements pass through said mounting structures to form loops. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexible elements pivotally sit in sockets of said mounting structures. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an insertion guide member that comprises a half-tube with an arcuate guide member that has a distal end that curves and protrudes out of said insertion guide member. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said arcuate guide member comprises a leaf spring. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said insertion guide member is inserted in a pedicle screw tower. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein a pair of said insertion guide members are inserted in pedicle screw towers so that said arcuate guide members form a guiding path for said flexible elements and said fusion rod. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rod inserter attached to one of said flexible elements, wherein tightening or loosening said flexible element with respect to said rod inserter causes said fusion rod to be perpendicular or not perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of said rod inserter. 
     
     
         10 . A spinal prosthesis comprising:
 first and second spinal prosthetic members, each of which comprises attachment members, comprising prongs that are fastenable to polyaxial pedicle screws, and central articulating members that allow said first and second spinal prosthetic members to articulate in more than one degree of freedom including rotating about rotation axes parallel to the prongs, wherein said first and second spinal prosthetic members are pivotable about said rotation axes to pivot with respect to one another between expanded and contracted positions.