Georgia Patent of the Month – February 2021

Certain spinal surgeries require the insertion of rods and screws into the spine in order to correct alignments and repair damage. Sometimes these rods must be connected to other rods within the spine. In these cases, U-shaped rod-receiving implants are inserted into the spinal column and connected to each other using fixation rods. These are fixed together with a screw and held in place so that it corrects misalignment within the spinal column. They require elongated tools to facilitate placement, connection, and securing of the rod implants in order to keep the surgery as minimally invasive as possible. Amendia, Inc. has redesigned these tools to clip onto the rod-receiving implant and more easily deliver a screw to secure it in place.

This new design for a screw extension tool assembly includes an inner slotted shaft, outer shaft, rod reducer, and a removable nut. Using a rod holder placed over the rod-receiving implant on each vertebrate that needs realignment, the assembly tool is able to connect to the implant. One tool will connect to each implant, then a rod delivery tool places the rod fixation rod which lines up with the two rod holders. The removable nut is then lowered and tightened into place, holding the fixation rod in place on the two rod-receiving implants. A screw is inserted through the nut, and tightened as well. At this point the assembly tools and delivery tool are able to be removed. With this design, the tools are more capable of appropriately positioning and securing the implants.

About Amendia

Amendia is a leading designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative medical devices used in spinal surgical procedures. Spinal Elements combines leading medical device technologies, biologics and instrumentation to create positive surgical outcomes that exceed surgeon and patient expectations.

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