Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A pedicle screw (1) for percutaneous internal fixation of vertebrae, comprising proximal and distal ends (1b, 1a) and sized to enable the distal end (1a) to be screwed into the medullary canal (2) of a pedicle (3) of a vertebrae (4) with the proximal end (1b) thereof lying adjacent the fascia (20) of a patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
18 words
A pedicle screw according to claim 1, wherein the distal portion thereof carries a bone screw thread (1c).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A pedicle screw according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the proximal portion thereof carries means (1d) engageable with a pedicle screw driver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A kit for percutaneous fixation of vertebrae of a patient, comprising a plurality of pedicle screws (1) of different sizes, yet of a size to enable the distal end (1a) of each screw (1) to be screwed into the medullary canal (2) of a pedicle (3) of a vertebra (4) with the proximal end (1b) thereof lying adjacent the fascia (20) of a patient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A kit according to claim 4, wherein said pedicle screws (1) are of different diameters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A kit according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said pedicle screws (1 have distal portions carrying bone screw threads (1b) of different lengths.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A kit according to any one of claims 4 to 6, including a plurality of linkage means (6,7) proportioned to lie under the skin of the patient and operable to detachably link together the proximal ends (1b) of said pedicle screws (1) inserted into the pedicles (3) of said vertebrae (4).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A kit according to claim 7, wherein said linkage means comprises a plurality of beam members (7) and a plurality of adaptor means (6) for detachably securing said beam members (7) thereto, said adaptor means (6) being detachably fastenable to said proximal ends (1b) of said pedicle screws (1).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
A kit according to claim 8, wherein said adaptor means (6) comprise a slotted cap (6c) and a tubular body (6b) extending therefrom, said slot (6a) lying in a plane perpendicular to said tubular body (6b), each of the slots being proportioned to receive a beam member (7), some of the caps (6c) having a slot (6a) open at both ends and others having a slot open at one end and closed at the other.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for percutaneous fixation of vertebrae of a patient, which comprises posterolaterally entering the back of a patient percutaneously with a plurality of pedicle screws (1), screwing each pedicle screw (1) into the medullary canal (2) of the pedicles (3) of adjacent thoracic and/or lumbar vertebrae (4) or the pedicles of the L5 and S1 vertebrae, to a position where the proximal end (1b) thereof lies adjacent the fascia (20) of the patient; inserting first and second pedicle screw linkage means (6,7) under the skin of the back of the patient and detachably securing said linkage means (6,7) to said proximal ends (1b) of said screws (1) on the same side of the spinous processes of said vertebrae to restrict relative movement between said vertebrae.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
199 words
A method for percutaneous fixation of a pair of lumbar vertebrae of a patient, which comprises posterolaterally entering the back of a patient percutaneously and forming an opening in the cortical bone of each said pair of lumbar vertebrae at the juncture of the base of the transverse process and the proximal articular process of said vertebrae, said openings providing entrances into the respective medullary canals (2) of the pedicles (3) supporting said processes; percutaneously screwing into each of said medullary canals (2) a pedicles screw (1) to a position where the proximal end (1b) thereof lies adjacent the lumbar fascia (20) of the patient, providing for each pedicle screw (1) an adaptor (6) having a slotted cap (6c) and a tubular body (6b) extending therefrom, said slot (6a) lying in a plane perpendicular to said tubular body (6b); fastening the tubular body (6b) onto the proximal end (1b) of each said pedicle screw (1) such that said adaptor cap (6) lies between the lumbar fascia and skin of said patient; sliding a beam member (7) under the skin and into the slots (6a) of said caps (6c); and detachably locking said beam members (7) to said caps (6c).