Apparatus and method for detecting a connecting rod during percutaneous surgery
US8202274B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 6, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/7037
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting the presence of a connecting rod during percutaneous spinal surgery comprises a tubular member and an elongate strip extending therethrough. The strip has a flag at the proximal end and an elastically flexible rod detection tip projecting outwardly from the distal end for contacting a connecting rod. The strip is supported in the tubular member for pivoting movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the member. A biasing member biases the strip to a first position in which the flag is adjacent a first side of the tubular member and the detection tip at the distal end is adjacent an opposite second side. Upon application of a force to elastically flex the detection tip, in which the force is sufficient to overcome the bias, the flag is shifted to a second position adjacent the second side of the tubular member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.