US 11,723,698 B2
Minimally invasive spinal fixation system and related methods
Justin Doose, San Diego, CA (US); Robert German, San Diego, CA (US); Scott Lish, Oceanside, CA (US); Andrew Schafer, Ramona, CA (US); Eric Dasso, Carlsbad, CA (US); Derek J Matteo, San Diego, CA (US); and Thomas M. Sweeney, III, La Jolla, CA (US)
Assigned to NuVasive, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by NuVasive, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/875,461.
Application 17/875,461 is a continuation of application No. 16/546,067, filed on Aug. 20, 2019, granted, now 11,406,429.
Application 16/546,067 is a continuation of application No. 15/486,103, filed on Apr. 12, 2017, granted, now 10,426,527, issued on Oct. 1, 2019.
Application 15/486,103 is a continuation of application No. 14/949,280, filed on Nov. 23, 2015, granted, now 9,649,140, issued on May 16, 2017.
Application 14/949,280 is a continuation of application No. 13/456,210, filed on Apr. 25, 2012, granted, now 9,198,698, issued on Dec. 1, 2015.
Application 13/456,210 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/371,370, filed on Feb. 10, 2012, granted, now 9,198,692, issued on Dec. 1, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/553,052, filed on Oct. 28, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/478,658, filed on Apr. 25, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/444,698, filed on Feb. 18, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/441,283, filed on Feb. 10, 2011.
Prior Publication US 2022/0378481 A1, Dec. 1, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/70 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/7082 (2013.01) [A61B 17/7001 (2013.01); A61B 17/708 (2013.01); A61B 17/7085 (2013.01); A61B 17/7086 (2013.01); A61B 17/7088 (2013.01); A61B 17/7089 (2013.01); A61B 17/7091 (2013.01)] 4 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for implanting a fixation construct across a motion segment of a spine, the method comprising:
anchoring a fixation anchor to a vertebra of the motion segment, wherein the fixation anchor includes:
a rod housing having a first arm separated from a second arm by a rod channel, and
an extension guide integrally and removably coupled to the rod housing, the extension guide including a first extension arm having a distal end and a proximal end and a second extension arm having a distal end and a proximal end,
the distal end of the first extension arm being coupled to the first arm of the rod housing by a first breakable joint, and the distal end of the second extension arm being coupled to the second arm of the rod housing by a second breakable joint,
wherein the first breakable joint comprises a first surface groove positioned between the first arm and the first extension arm, the second breakable joint comprises a second surface groove positioned between the second arm and the second extension arm, and
the proximal end of the first extension arm is integrally and removably coupled to the proximal end of the second extension arm by a third breakable joint and a fourth breakable joint, each of the third and fourth breakable joints extending between the first and second extension arms;
flexing the first and second extension arms away from each other to facilitate the inserting of the rod;
inserting a rod through a guide channel of the fixation anchor;
reducing the rod into the rod channel of the rod housing;
locking the rod within the rod housing with a locking cap; and
breaking the first and second breakable joints to sever the connection between one of the first and second extension arms and a corresponding one of the first and second arms of the rod housing.