SURGICAL DEVICE

Abstract

A surgical device includes a polyaxial surgical screw that includes an internally hollow tulip. The tulip includes two elongated rods which are parallel and mutually spaced apart, each elongated rod protruding from a side wall of the tulip and extending away from a first end of the tulip in a direction opposite to a second end of the tulip. The rods define a channel in communication with the first end for accessing the interior of the tulip. A locking unit can be reversibly mounted on the polyaxial surgical screw. The locking unit includes a tubular body which has an inner cavity and is adapted to be fitted about the elongated rods during a configuration of use of the surgical device. The tubular body has two mutually opposite protrusions which project into the inner cavity that are configured to face the channel and be mutually interposed.

Claims

1. A surgical device comprising a polyaxial surgical screw comprising: an internally hollow tulip having a first open end for accessing the interior of the tulip, a second end opposite to the first end, and a side wall developing between the first and second end, wherein said tulip comprises two elongated rods which are parallel and mutually spaced apart, each elongated rod protruding from the side wall and extending away from the first end of the tulip in a direction opposite to the second end of the tulip, said rods defining a channel in communication with the first end for accessing the interior of the tulip, a threaded shaft having a first end defining the screw tip and a second end opposite to the first end having a ball joint associated with the second end of the tulip to orient said shaft with respect to the tulip itself; wherein the surgical device further comprises a locking unit which can be reversibly mounted on said polyaxial surgical screw, wherein said locking unit comprises a tubular body which has an inner cavity and which is adapted to be fitted about said elongated rods during a configuration of use of the surgical device, said tubular body having two mutually opposite protrusions which project into said inner cavity, said protrusions being configured to face the channel defined between said rods and be interposed between said elongated rods to prevent the mutual removal and approach of said elongated rods during the configuration of use of the surgical device.

2. The surgical device according to claim 1, wherein each rod has a substantially “C”-shaped development in cross-section and wherein the rods have mutually facing respective concave inner surfaces and respective convex outer surfaces opposite to the concave surfaces, said outer surfaces lying along a respective circular-section cylindrical plane of development; wherein said tubular body has two mutually opposite grooves interposed between the two protrusions, said grooves being shaped to accommodate said rods at least partially to prevent the rotation of the tubular body about the rods.

3. The surgical device according to claim 1, wherein said rods have respective through holes at respective free end ends of said rods, and wherein said locking unit comprises a pair of locking pins connected to said tubular body which can be switched during the configuration of use between a locking position, in which they are inserted into said through holes preventing the axial sliding of the tubular body with respect to the rods, and a releasing position in which they are disconnected from the through holes.

4. The surgical device according to claim 3, wherein said locking unit comprises a pair of arms connected to said tubular body, each arm having a first end on which a respective locking pin is made and a second end defining a gripping portion of the locking unit, said arms being operable in rotation about respective fulcrums of the tubular body to approach the gripping portions and to move the locking pins respectively between the locking position and the unlocking position and vice versa to switch the locking pints.

5. The surgical device according to claim 2, wherein said locking pins are released into the grooves when they are arranged in the locking position.

6. The surgical device according to claim 1, wherein said locking unit comprises a coupling portion connected to said tubular body and configured to couple said locking unit to a surgical instrument, said coupling portion preferably having a bayonet-type connection system.

7. The surgical device according to claim 6, wherein said coupling portion, during the configuration for use of the device, is arranged in a position distal from the tulip to the tubular body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a surgical device, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the surgical device of the present invention,

[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the surgical device in FIG. 1,

[0035] FIGS. 3 and 3A are a diagrammatic perspective view and a diagrammatic bottom view of the locking unit of the surgical device in FIG. 1 in the locking position, and

[0036] FIGS. 4 and 4A are a diagrammatic perspective view and a diagrammatic bottom view, respectively, of the locking unit of the surgical device of FIG. 1 in the unlocking position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0037] With reference to the accompanying figures, a surgical device is indicated by reference numeral 1.

[0038] The device 1 comprises a polyaxial surgical screw 100, henceforth screw 100, comprising an internally hollow tulip 101 and defined by a “cup”-shaped side wall 102.

[0039] In other words, the side wall 102 has a substantially truncated cone shape and extends from a first open end 103 for accessing the interior of the tulip 101 to a second end 104, which is opposite to the first end. The second end 104 is also open and smaller than the access section of the first end 103. In this configuration, the side wall 102 is preferably tapered and converging towards the second end 104.

[0040] The tulip 101 further comprises two through-holes 105 cut through the side wall to accommodate a corrective bar (not shown in the figures because they are not part of the present invention) inside the tulip 101 itself.

[0041] In particular, the two openings 105 are arranged on opposite sides to allow the bar to pass through the tulip 101 and along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal development of the side wall 102.

[0042] The openings 105 are developed up to the first end 103 to interrupt the side wall 102 at the first access end 103.

[0043] The screw 1 further comprises a threaded shaft 106 with a first end 107 defining the tip of the screw, designed to insert into a bone tissue. A second end 108 equipped with a ball head or ball joint 109 inserted into the second end 104 of the tulip 101 develops on the opposite side of the first end 107. The ball joint 109 allows the shaft 106, and its longitudinal development axis, to be aligned with the tulip 101.

[0044] Advantageously, the tulip 101 further comprises two elongated rods 110 which are parallel and mutually spaced apart. The elongated rods 110 protrude from the side wall 102 and extend from the first end 103 of the tulip 101 in a direction opposite to the second end 104 of the tulip 101 itself.

[0045] Advantageously, the rods 110 mutually define a channel 111 in communication with the first end 103 for accessing the interior of the tulip 101.

[0046] Preferably, each rod 110 has a “C”-shaped development in cross-section in which a concave inner surface 112 is defined, opposite to a convex outer surface 113.

[0047] The inner surfaces 112 face each other and define the aforesaid channel 111. The outer surfaces 113 lie along the same cylindrical plane of development with a circular cross-section.

[0048] The two elongated rods 110 thus develop in parallel around a central development axis X, which in FIG. 1 is aligned with the direction of development of the shaft 106 of the screw 100.

[0049] Additionally, each rod 110 has two longitudinal edges 114 extending from the first end 103 of the tulip 101 to a terminal end 115 of the rod 110 itself distal from the tulip 101, parallel to the X axis.

[0050] In this situation, the longitudinal edges 114 of the rods 110 are facing and mutually spaced apart to define an open area 116 for accessing the aforementioned channel 11.

[0051] Therefore, two open zones 116 are created between the two 110 rods, which develop along the cylindrical development plane on which the outer surfaces 113 lie. In other words, the X axis defines the central development axis of the ideal cylinder along whose side wall the outer surfaces 113 lie.

[0052] Preferably, a threading 117 is further provided on the concave inner surfaces 112 of the rods 110 near the tulip 101.

[0053] In greater detail, the threading 117 further extends along a cylindrical inner surface 102a of the side wall 102. Preferably, the cylindrical inner surface 102a and the concave inner surfaces 112 are adjacent and seamless.

[0054] Preferably, the tulip 101 has two weakening lines 118, each extending between an elongated rod 110 and the side wall 102. The weakening lines 118 define a separation zone between the rod 110 itself and the tulip 101, i.e. an area in which, as a result of a deflection of each rod 110 with respect to the tulip 101, it is possible to separate the rods 110 from the rest of the surgical screw 1.

[0055] For this purpose, the weakening lines 118 consist of grooves extending transversely to the longitudinal development of the rods 110 and cut on the respective outer surfaces 113 of the rods 110.

[0056] The grooves thus define a reduction in the thickness of the rod 110 such to be able to make it dissociable from the tulip 101 if it is subjected to bending.

[0057] Once the surgical screw 1 has been positioned and correctly engaged in the bone tissue, the rods 110, which are protruding outside the patient's body, are bent by the operator to remove them.

[0058] Although these weakening lines 118 can facilitate the detachment of the rods 110 from the tulip 101, at the same time they weaken the connection between the 110 rods and the tulip 101, so that the rods 110 could be brought closer together because they are pressed by the surrounding soft tissue.

[0059] The device 1 according to the present invention, however, advantageously comprises a locking unit 2 which can be retrofitted onto the screw 100.

[0060] The locking unit 2 comprises a tubular body 3 which has an inner cavity 4 and is adapted to be fitted about the elongated rods 110 during a configuration of use of the device 1.

[0061] In particular, the tubular body 3 has two mutually opposite protrusions 5, which project, preferably in a radial manner, into the inner cavity 4.

[0062] The protrusions 5 are configured to face the channel 111 defined between the rods 110 and be mutually interposed between the rods 110 themselves to prevent the mutual removal and approach during the configuration of use of the device 1.

[0063] In other words, by virtue of the presence of the locking unit 2, it is possible to prevent the rods 110 from inadvertently approaching during the surgical steps in which the screw 100 is inserted into the patient's body.

[0064] The protrusions 5 are interposed between the rods 110, keeping them in position even after possible pressing.

[0065] The locking unit 2 can be easily mounted and removed from screw 100 to be used only when necessary.

[0066] It is apparent from the above that locking unit 2 is particularly advantageous when weakening lines 118 are present so that the protrusions 5 of the tubular body 3 prevent the rods 110 from being able to approach as a result of a lever applied by the surrounding soft tissues about the weakening lines 118.

[0067] Preferably, the tubular body 3 has two grooves 6 which are mutually opposite and interposed between the two protrusions 5. The grooves 6 are designed to accommodate the rods 110 at least partially to prevent the rotation of the tubular body 3 about the rods 110.

[0068] In other words, the inner cavity 4 defines two grooves 6 alternating between their respective protrusions 5, so that the longitudinal edges 114 of each rod 110 are confined in the radial space of a respective groove 6 preventing any rotation of the tubular body 3 (and more in general of the locking unit 2) about the X axis.

[0069] Preferably, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the grooves 6 have a dovetail-shaped geometry, which advantageously prevents both the approach of rods 110 and the rotation of the tubular body 3 at the same time.

[0070] With reference to FIG. 2, the rods 110 preferably have respective through-holes 120 at their free end ends 115. Furthermore, the locking unit 2 preferably comprises a pair of locking pins 7 (clearly visible in FIGS. 3A and 4A) connected to said tubular body 3 which can be switched during the configuration of use between a locking position (shown in FIGS. 3-3A), where they are inserted into the through-holes 120, thus preventing the axial sliding of tubular body 3 with respect to the rods 110, and an unlocking position (shown in FIGS. 4-4A) in which they are disconnected from the through-holes 120.

[0071] In other words, when the locking unit 2 is mounted on the screw 100, fitting the tubular body 3 on the rods 110, the locking pins 7 are easily and effectively switched from the locking position (in which they are preferably arranged during a non-assembled configuration of device 1 in which the locking unit 2 is not used) to the unlocking position to be fitted on rods 110; the locking pins 7 are then moved from the unlocking position to the locking position to keep the rods 110 in position and prevent any rotation of the tubular body 3 about the screw 100.

[0072] Preferably, the locking unit 2 further comprises a pair of arms 8 connected to the tubular body 3; each arm 8 has a first end 8a on which a respective locking pin 7 is made and a second end 8b defining a gripping portion of the locking unit 2. The arms 8 can be operated in rotation around the respective fulcrums F (arranged along parallel axes of oscillation Y, preferably perpendicular to the X axis) of the tubular body 3 to approach the gripping portions 8b closer and to move the locking pins 7 (FIGS. 4-4A) and vice versa (FIGS. 3-3A) to switch the locking pins 7 respectively between the locked and unlocking position and vice versa.

[0073] In other words, by grasping the locking unit 2 with at least two fingers, the surgeon can conveniently press the gripping portions 8b by levering the fulcrums F to remove the locking pins 7 and thus be able to fit the tubular body 3 onto the rods 110 (as diagrammatically shown by the arrows in FIG. 4A).

[0074] When the tubular body 3 is arranged along the development of the rods 110 so that the locking pins 7 are aligned with the through-holes 120, the locking pins 7 can then be inserted into the respective through-holes 120 so that the locking element 2 is firmly secured to screw 100 in the locking position.

[0075] In other words, by virtue of a simple lever mechanism, it is possible to tie the locking element 2 with screw 100 so that the rods 110 are prevented from approaching.

[0076] Furthermore, according to a possible embodiment of the present invention, preferably F fulcrums can be associated with torsional springs (not shown).

[0077] As shown in the embodiment in the accompanying figures, preferably the locking pins 7 are released into the grooves 6 when they are arranged in the locking position.

[0078] Even more preferably, the locking pins 7 to have a counter-shape portion of contact with rods 110 with respect to the outer surfaces 113 of rods 110 (FIG. 3A).

[0079] Preferably, the locking unit 2 comprises a coupling portion 10 connected to the tubular body 3 and configured to couple the locking unit 2 to a surgical instrument, which is not shown in the attached figures because it is not part of the invention.

[0080] In other words, the coupling portion 10 defines the direct connection interface between device 1 and a surgical instrument, thus facilitating any corrective maneuvers (e.g. compression and distraction) and keeping channel 111 free.

[0081] In particular, the coupling portion 10 defines an extension of the inner cavity 4 of the tubular body 3 adapted to be placed on the opposite side to the tulip 101.

[0082] Indeed, preferably said coupling portion 10, during the configuration for use of the device 1, is arranged in a position distal from the tulip 101 to the tubular body 3.

[0083] Furthermore, the coupling portion 10 preferably features a bayonet-type connection system to make the coupling with the surgical instruments practical, stable and universal.

[0084] By virtue of the coupling portion 10, it is possible to achieve the safe and guided coupling of the surgical instruments which will fit into the channel 111. Once the locking unit 2 is mounted on the screw 100, the coupling portion 10 is arranged coaxially with respect to the X axis, thus simplifying the centering of the surgical instruments.

[0085] Finally, the locking unit 2 is preferably of the disposable type, being supplied sterilized, and can be made of both plastic and metal material.

[0086] The present invention thus achieves the suggested objects, overcoming the drawbacks described with reference to the prior art and providing the user with a surgical device 1 equipped with a special accessory (locking unit 2) which allows the connection between the two elongated rods 110 of the tulip 101 and allows the agile use of other dedicated instruments at the same time to complete the surgery.

[0087] The mechanism works by virtue of the geometric fittingness between device 1 and instrument avoiding the disjointed movement of the rods 110 (in particular their approaching) and preventing their accidental breakage.

[0088] The device 1 allows a simplified and fluid surgical procedure by preventing injury and tissue tearing due to any approach or breakage of the rods 110 while keeping the channel 111 free of obstructions during the surgical steps.