U.S. patent application number 15/414183 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-11 for surgical screw hole liner devices and related methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to WOVEN ORTHOPEDIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is WOVEN ORTHOPEDIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to A. Alexander JONES, Anthony VISCOGLIOSI.
Application Number | 20170128100 15/414183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51531125 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170128100 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JONES; A. Alexander ; et
al. |
May 11, 2017 |
SURGICAL SCREW HOLE LINER DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS
Abstract
A sleeve system for lining a hole of a surgical screw in a bone
or tissue of a subject includes a woven sleeve having a first end,
a second end, and an elongated body. The elongated body has an
interior portion. The first end includes an aperture that accesses
the interior portion. The sleeve system also includes a protective
tip that may be inserted through the aperture of the first end of
the sleeve. The protective tip at least partially protects tissue
of the subject from a screw positioned within the sleeve.
Inventors: |
JONES; A. Alexander;
(Savannah, GA) ; VISCOGLIOSI; Anthony;
(Manchester, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WOVEN ORTHOPEDIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
Manchester |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
WOVEN ORTHOPEDIC TECHNOLOGIES,
LLC
MANCHESTER
CT
|
Family ID: |
51531125 |
Appl. No.: |
15/414183 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14209518 |
Mar 13, 2014 |
9585695 |
|
|
15414183 |
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|
61801685 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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61801778 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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61801832 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/686 20130101;
A61B 17/685 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/68 20060101
A61B017/68 |
Claims
1-7. (canceled)
8. A method of lining a hole for a surgical screw in a bone or
tissue of a subject, comprising: providing at least one woven
sleeve, the at least one woven sleeve having a first end, a second
end, and an elongated body with an interior portion, the first end
having an aperture accessing the interior portion; inserting a
protective tip into the aperture of the first end; and positioning
the second end of the at least one woven sleeve in a desired
position within the bone or tissue of the subject by pushing the
protective tip with a rod.
9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: positioning
an inner woven sleeve of the at least one woven sleeve within
another sleeve of the at least one woven sleeve by using the rod to
push the protective tip within the inner woven sleeve.
10-13. (canceled)
14. A method of lining a hole for a surgical screw in a bone or
tissue of a subject, comprising: inserting a first woven sleeve
into the bone or tissue of the subject, the first woven sleeve
having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body with an
interior portion, and the first end having an aperture accessing
the interior portion; inserting at least one additional woven
sleeve into the first woven sleeve through the first end; and
positioning the second end of the first woven sleeve in a desired
position within the bone or tissue of the subject.
15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: providing
a protective cap configured to fit in the second end of the first
woven sleeve, wherein the protective cap is integral with the
second end of the first woven sleeve.
16. (canceled)
17. A method of implanting a surgical screw within or between a
bone or tissue of a subject, comprising: inserting a plurality of
woven sleeves into the bone or tissue of the subject, each of the
plurality of woven sleeves having a first end, a second end, and an
elongated body with an interior portion, the first end having an
aperture accessing the interior portion, and the second end being
at least partially closed, a first woven sleeve of the plurality of
woven sleeves being inserted into or between the bone or tissue of
the subject, and one or more subsequent woven sleeves of the
plurality of woven sleeves being inserted into the interior portion
of an immediately-preceding woven sleeve of the plurality of woven
sleeves to be inserted; and inserting the surgical screw within the
inner most sleeve of the plurality of woven sleeves.
18. The method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one woven
sleeve is formed from a plurality of suture material.
19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second end is at
least partially closed relative to the first end.
20. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first woven
sleeve and the at least one additional woven sleeve are each formed
of a plurality of suture material that is woven or
interconnected.
21. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first woven
sleeve and the at least one additional woven sleeve are configured
so that a surgical screw can be inserted into an inner-most one of
the at least one additional woven sleeve.
22. The method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the
one or more subsequent woven sleeves is in direct contact with the
immediately-preceding woven sleeve when inserted into the interior
portion of the immediately-preceding woven.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Nos. 61/801,685, filed Mar. 15, 2013; 61/801,778, filed
Mar. 15, 2013; and 61/801,832, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosures
of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to a device or method for
restoring or lining the internal surface of a screw hole used with
a surgical screw. More particularly, but not by way of limitation,
to a suture based device and method for resurfacing and lining
holes for pedicle screws.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 7,758,642, which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference, discloses the use of a perforated sheet to
assist in implant fixation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,926, issued on Nov.
16, 1999, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference, discloses a suture based device for saving screw holes
in bone, as well as various problems associated with achieving
adequate grip or achieving adequate bone screw purchase strength in
cancellous bone or osteopenic/osteoporotic bone or bone where the
fractures or poor quality bone preclude optimal engagement of
bone.
[0004] Because of the variety of types of injuries, bone conditions
and anatomical variations and limitations, there remains a need for
devices that improve screw purchase strength in a variety of
clinical situations. Known methods, such as the method described in
U.S. Pat. No. 8,163,031 to Truckai et al., incorporated herein in
its entirety by reference, discloses a sleeve for improving the
grip of the screw with the bone. However, the Truckai et al. device
does not allow the surgeon to adjust the thickness of the insert.
Also, a significant problem associated with pedicle screws is that
they often move within the screw hole, and the sharp point of the
screw causes damage to the bone around the tip, as well as causes
pain to the patient due to the close proximity of the screw tip and
nerves or other sensitive tissue.
[0005] Still further, the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,984,926 may be inserted using a rod, and thus the device would
benefit from the use of an insert that would assist the surgeon in
engaging and centering the sleeve while pushing the sleeve into the
screw hole.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to an embodiment of the current invention, a
sleeve system for lining a hole of a surgical screw in a bone or
tissue of a subject is provided. The sleeve system includes a woven
sleeve having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body. The
elongated body has an interior portion, and the first end includes
an aperture accessing the interior portion. The sleeve system may
also include a protective tip that is insertable through the
aperture of the first end of the sleeve. The protective tip at
least partially protects tissue of the subject from a screw
positioned within the sleeve.
[0007] According to another embodiment of the current invention, a
method of lining a hole for a surgical screw in a bone or tissue of
a subject is provided. The method includes providing at least one
woven sleeve, the at least one woven sleeve having a first end, a
second end, and an elongated body with an interior portion. The
first end may include an aperture accessing the interior portion.
The method may also include inserting a protective tip into the
aperture of the first end, and positioning the second end of the at
least one woven sleeve in a desired position within the bone or
tissue of the subject by pushing the protective tip with a rod. The
at least one woven sleeve may be formed from a plurality of suture
material.
[0008] According to another embodiment of the current invention, a
sleeve system for lining a hole of a surgical screw in a bone or
tissue of a subject is provided. The sleeve system includes a woven
sleeve having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body with
an interior portion. The first end has an aperture accessing the
interior portion. The sleeve system may also include a protective
cap positioned in the second end of the woven sleeve. The
protective cap may at least partially protects tissue of the
subject from a screw positioned within the sleeve.
[0009] A method of lining a hole for a surgical screw in a bone or
tissue of a subject is provided according to some embodiments of
the current invention. The method may include providing at least
one woven sleeve that has a first end, a second end, and an
elongated body with an interior portion. The first end may have an
aperture accessing the interior portion. The method may also
include providing a protective cap that fits in the second end of
the at least one woven sleeve, and positioning the second end of
the at least one woven sleeve in a desired position within the bone
or tissue of the subject.
[0010] According to an embodiment of the current invention, a
surgical screw system is provided. The surgical screw system may
include a plurality of woven sleeves, each woven sleeve having a
first end, a second end, and an elongated body with an interior
portion. The first end may have an aperture accessing the interior
portion, and the second end may be at least partially closed. At
least one of the plurality of woven sleeves may be insertable into
at least one other of the plurality of woven sleeves such that an
outer-most sleeve of the plurality of woven sleeves is positioned
in or between a bone or tissue of a subject. The surgical screw
system may further include a surgical screw that is insertable
within an inner-most sleeve of the plurality of woven sleeves.
[0011] According to another embodiment of the current invention, a
method of implanting a surgical screw within or between a bone or
tissue of a subject is provided. The method may include inserting a
plurality of woven sleeves into the bone or tissue of the subject.
Each of the plurality of woven sleeves may have a first end, a
second end, and an elongated body with an interior portion. The
first end may have an aperture accessing the interior portion, and
the second end may be at least partially closed, a first woven
sleeve of the plurality of woven sleeves being inserted into or
between the bone or tissue of the subject, and one or more
subsequent woven sleeves of the plurality of woven sleeves being
inserted into the interior portion of an immediately-preceding
woven sleeve of the plurality of woven sleeves to be inserted. The
method may also include inserting the surgical screw within the
inner most sleeve of the plurality of woven sleeves.
[0012] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the
invention are set forth or apparent from consideration of the
following detailed description, drawings and claims. Moreover, it
is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the
invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and
intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope
of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred
embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed
description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In
the drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1A shows an example of a screw sleeve with a protective
nipple according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 1B shows a cross-section of a first end of the screw
sleeve shown in FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows an example of a screw sleeve with a protective
cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows an example of a multi-sleeve screw sleeve
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Some embodiments of the current invention are discussed in
detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is
employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not
intended to be limited to the specific terminology and examples
selected. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that
other equivalent components can be employed and other methods
developed without departing from the broad concepts of the current
invention. All references cited anywhere in this specification,
including the Background and Detailed Description sections, are
incorporated by reference as if each had been individually
incorporated. All references cited in this specification are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0019] A sleeve device and system used to create support for
surgical screws and prosthetic devices according to an embodiment
of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1A shows a woven
sleeve 10 with an elongated body 12 having an interior portion 14.
The body includes a first end 16 and second end 18. The first end
16 includes an aperture 20 that provides access to the interior
portion 14 of the woven sleeve 10 (see FIG. 1B). The second end 18
of the woven sleeve 10 may be closed or at least partially closed.
For example, at least a portion of the body 12 can be tapered such
that the second end 18 is closed or partially closed.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1A, the sleeve system may include a
protective tip 42, or nipple. The protective tip 42 can be
insertable into the first end 16 of the sleeve 10. A rod 44 may
also be included. The rod 44 may be used to push the protective tip
42 through the body 12 of the sleeve 10 to, for example, the second
end 18 of the sleeve 10. In addition, the sleeve 10 may itself be
pushed into a desired location within a bone or tissue of a subject
by the force of the rod 44 pushing the protective tip 42. The
protective tip 42 may provide a surface to be engaged and pushed by
the rod 44. This rod 44 and protective tip 42 may also facilitate
centering of the sleeve 10 within the bone or tissue of the
subject, based on, at least in part, the shape of the protective
tip 42, as well as the shape of the sleeve 10. The protective tip
42 may also be used to protect the fibers or suture material 24
from the threads and/or sharp tip of a screw inserted to the
sleeve. Additionally, the protective tip 42 may protect the
surrounding tissue from the threads and/or tip of the screw.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention that includes a
protective cap 43 that is insertable through the aperture 20 of the
first end 16 of the sleeve 10. Alternatively, the protective cap 43
may affixed to or integral with the second end 18 of the sleeve 10.
The protective cap 43 may be fixed to the first end 16 by adhesive
or by being molded to the suture material 24 of the sleeve 10. In
another embodiment, the cap 43 may be integral with the second end
18 of the sleeve 10, or insertable through the first end 16 and
subsequently positioned in the second end 18 of the sleeve 10. The
cap 43 may protect the fibers or suture material 24 from the
threads of a screw, which might otherwise cut or damage the fibers
or suture material 24 of the sleeve 10 when the screw is inserted
into the sleeve 10. Additionally, the cap 43 may protect
surrounding tissue from the sharp tip of the screw.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a screw sleeve system according to another
embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment,
multiple sleeves 10, 10', 10'' are provided for inserting into a
bone or tissue of the subject. Although three sleeves 10, 10', 10''
are shown in FIG. 3, embodiments are not limited to three sleeves,
and more or fewer sleeves can be provided. Sleeve 10 can be
inserted into a bone 30 or tissue by being pushed through a hole 34
formed in the bone 30, for example. Sleeve 10' can then be inserted
into sleeve 10. Similarly, sleeve 10'' can be inserted into sleeve
10'. Accordingly, in the example shown in FIG. 3, three sleeves 10,
10', 10'' will be nested within each other when placed in the
desired position within bone 30. Screw 40 may then be positioned
within sleeve 10''. The multi-sleeve arrangement can enhance the
purchase or grip of the screw 40 and protect or shield the patient
from the sharp tip of the screw 40. Each of the sleeves 10, 10',
10'' in FIG. 3 has a closed end 17. Alternatively, one or more of
the sleeves 10, 10', 10'' may have an open end in place of closed
end 17. Additionally, a protective tip 42 or cap 43 may be used in
one or more of sleeves 10, 10', 10''.
[0023] A screw (see screw 40 in FIG. 3) or other surgical securing
means may be inserted within the space 14 of the sleeve 10, 10', or
10'' in any of the above embodiments, and thereby placed and firmly
held within a bone or tissue of the subject.
[0024] According to some embodiments, the sleeve 10 may be
impregnated with a suitable adhesive or bone cement 26, as shown in
FIG. 1, to add thickness to the sleeve and rigidity to the assembly
when cured. For example, the adhesive or bone cement 26 can be
impregnated into the woven structure of the sleeve 10 before
implanting into the bone or tissue of a subject, and can remain
uncured until placed in the desired position. Alternatively, the
bone cement or adhesive 26 can be added to or impregnated into the
sleeve 10 in situ. In some embodiments, the bone cement or adhesive
26 is added after the sleeve is implanted into the subject. The
body 12 of the sleeve 10 may be woven from a plurality of
components 24, such as, for example, suture material. However, the
sleeve 10 may also be woven from other threads, fibers, or
materials suitable for use in the body of a patient. Additionally,
the woven sleeve 10 may be filled with one or more of various
materials 28, including a morselized bone graft, a bone
growth-stimulating agent, such as a bone morphogenic protein (BMP),
and/or an antibiotic agent to provide protection against infection.
The woven sleeve may also, or alternatively, be filled with an
uncured adhesive or bone cement, which can be in liquid or gel
form, for example.
[0025] According to embodiments of the present invention, the
sleeve 10 is able to be placed or inserted, for example, into an
area within or surrounding an open fracture in a bone 30 or within
a bone 30 (see FIG. 3). A hole 34 may be created in a bone 32 for
accepting the sleeve 10. After being delivered to the desired
location on, against, or within a bone or between two sections of
bone, the sleeve 10 may solidify and integrate with surrounding
bone and tissue, which can be aided, at least in part, by bone
cement or adhesive 26 and/or materials 28.
[0026] According to the above descriptions and related drawings,
embodiments of the present invention can include, for example, the
following features.
[0027] According to one embodiment, a sleeve system for lining a
hole of a surgical screw in a bone or tissue of a subject is
provided. The sleeve system includes a woven sleeve 10 having a
first end 16, a second end 18, and an elongated body 12 with an
interior portion 14, the first end 16 having an aperture 20 that
accesses the interior portion 14. The sleeve system may also
include a nipple or protective tip 42 that is insertable through
the aperture 20 of the first end 16 of the sleeve 10. The
protective tip 42 can at least partially protect tissue of the
subject from a screw 40 positioned within the sleeve 10. The
protective tip may have a conical or frusto-conical shape, for
example.
[0028] The second end 18 of the sleeve 10 may be at least partially
closed relative to the first end 16. For example, the second end 18
may have an aperture 22 that is smaller than the aperture 20 of the
first end 16, or no aperture. The sleeve 10 may be formed of a
plurality of suture material 24 that is woven or
interconnected.
[0029] The sleeve system may further include a rod 44. During use,
the rod 44 can be inserted through the aperture 20 of the first end
16 to push the protective tip 42 down the elongated body 12 of the
sleeve 10. The protective tip 42 and sleeve 10 may be configured
such that the protective tip 42 moves the sleeve 10 into a desired
position when the protective tip 42 is pushed by the rod 44.
Additionally, the sleeve system may further include at least one
additional woven sleeve 10', 10'' that can be inserted into the
woven sleeve 10 when the woven sleeve 10 is positioned within the
bone or tissue of the subject. The surgical screw may then be
inserted into a last sleeve 10'' of the at least one additional
woven sleeve to be inserted into the woven sleeve 10.
[0030] According to an embodiment, a method of lining a hole for a
surgical screw in a bone or tissue of a subject is provided. The
method includes providing at least one woven sleeve 10, whose
features are consistent with the above-described embodiments,
inserting a protective tip 42 into the aperture 20 of the first end
16, and positioning the second end 18 of the at least one woven
sleeve 10 in a desired position within the bone or tissue of the
subject by pushing the protective tip 42 with a rod 44. The method
may also include positioning an inner woven sleeve 10', 10'' of the
at least one woven sleeve within another sleeve of the at least one
woven sleeve by using the rod 44 to push the protective tip 42
within the inner woven sleeve 10.
[0031] According to an embodiment, a sleeve system for lining a
hole of a surgical screw in a bone or tissue of a subject includes
a woven sleeve, and a protective cap 43 positioned in the second
end 18 of the woven sleeve 10. The protective cap 43 may at least
partially protect tissue of the subject from a screw 40 positioned
within the sleeve 10. In some embodiments, the protective cap 43
may be fixed to the second end 18 by adhesive. Alternatively, or
additionally, the protective cap 43 may be molded to the suture
material 24 in the second end 18 of the woven sleeve 10.
[0032] A method of lining a hole for a surgical screw in a bone or
tissue of a subject, according to another embodiment, includes
providing at least one woven sleeve 10, providing a protective cap
43 configured to fit in the second end 18 of the at least one woven
sleeve 10, and positioning the second end 18 of the at least one
woven sleeve 10 in a desired position within the bone or tissue of
the subject. The protective cap 43 may be integral with the second
end 18 of the at least one woven sleeve 10.
[0033] According to another embodiment, a surgical screw system
includes a plurality of woven sleeves 10, 10', 10'', each having a
construction corresponding to the above-described woven sleeves. At
least one of the plurality of woven sleeves 10, 10', 10'' being
configured to be inserted into at least one other of the plurality
of woven sleeves such that an outer-most sleeve 10 of the plurality
of woven sleeves is positioned in or between a bone or tissue of a
subject. The system also may include a surgical screw 40 to be
inserted within an inner-most sleeve 10'' of the plurality of woven
sleeves.
[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
method of implanting a surgical screw within or between a bone or
tissue of a subject includes inserting a plurality of woven sleeves
into the bone or tissue of the subject, a first woven sleeve of the
plurality of woven sleeves being inserted into or between the bone
or tissue of the subject, and one or more subsequent woven sleeves
being inserted into the interior portion of an
immediately-preceding woven sleeve of the plurality of woven
sleeves to be inserted (see FIG. 3). The method may also include
inserting the surgical screw within the inner more sleeve 10'' of
the plurality of woven sleeves.
[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it has
been discovered that the problems left unanswered by known art can
be solved by providing a method for creating support for surgical
screws and prosthetic devices. The method includes creating a screw
hole for a pedicle screw and providing a woven sleeve. The woven
sleeve has an elongated body with a first end, a second end, and an
interior portion. The first end has an aperture allowing access to
the interior portion of the woven sleeve. The woven sleeve may be
formed from a plurality of suture material and the second end of
the woven sleeve may be closed or at least partially closed. The
method may further include providing a generally conical or
frusto-conical tip that is insertable into the first end of the
sleeve. The method may also include inserting the woven sleeve into
the screw hole, and then inserting the pedicle screw through the
sleeve to its designed depth of use such that the tip of the
pedicle screw abuts the plastic tip when it reaches the designed
depth of use.
[0036] According to some embodiments, a second woven sleeve, or
several woven sleeves, may be inserted into the hole for the
pedicle screw before inserting the pedicle screw. The positioning
of the sleeves in the hole prior to the insertion of the pedicle
screw will enhance the purchase or grip of the pedicle screw and
protect or shield the patient from the sharp tip of the pedicle
screw. Thus, the disclosed invention will allow the screw to
develop enhanced grip, while providing the additional benefits of a
shield that protects the patient from gouging by the sharp edges of
the tip of the pedicle screw.
[0037] According to another embodiment, a method for creating
support for surgical screws and prosthetic device is provided. The
method includes creating a screw hole for a pedicle screw and
providing a woven sleeve with an elongated body having a first end,
a second end, and an interior portion. The first end includes an
aperture allowing access to the interior portion of the woven
sleeve. The woven sleeve may be formed from a plurality of suture
material and the second end of the woven sleeve may be at least
partially closed. The method may also include inserting the woven
sleeve into the screw hole, and then inserting the pedicle screw
through the sleeve to its designed depth of use such that the tip
of the pedicle screw abuts the plastic tip when it reaches the
designed depth of use.
[0038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
method of lining a hole for a pedicle screw is provided. The method
includes providing one or more woven sleeves, each sleeve having an
elongated body that includes a first end, a second end, and an
interior portion. The first end includes an aperture allowing
access to the interior portion of the woven sleeve. The second end
of the woven sleeve being closed or partially closed. The woven
sleeve may be formed from a plurality of suture material. A conical
or frusto-conical tip may be provided that is insertable into the
first end of one of the sleeves. The method may further include
placing the conical or frusto-conical tip into the first sleeve to
be inserted into the screw hole, and inserting the second end of
the sleeve into the screw hold by pushing against the conical or
frusto-conical tip. The method may also include inserting one or
more additional sleeves into one or more sleeves that have been
inserted into the screw hole with the aid of the conical or
frusto-conical tip. Additionally, the method may include inserting
the pedicle screw into the center-most sleeve.
[0039] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of lining a hole for a pedicle screw includes providing
several woven sleeves, each sleeve with an elongated body having a
first end, a second end, and an interior portion. The first end may
have an aperture allowing access to the interior portion of the
woven sleeve, and the second end of the woven sleeve being closed.
The woven sleeve may be formed from a plurality of suture material.
A protective cap may be nested into the second end and preferably
fixed to the second end by adhesive or by molded into the suture
material. The method may also include inserting the pedicle screw
into the center-most sleeve.
[0040] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of lining a hole for a pedicle screw includes providing
several woven sleeves, each sleeve with an elongated body having a
first end, a second end, and an interior portion. The first end may
have an aperture allowing access to the interior portion of the
woven sleeve, and the woven sleeve may be formed from a plurality
of suture material. The second end of the woven sleeve may be
closed. The method may also include inserting the pedicle screw
into the center-most sleeve.
[0041] Although the foregoing description is directed to the
preferred embodiments of the invention, it is noted that other
variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in
the art, and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope
of the invention. Moreover, features described in connection with
one embodiment of the invention may be used in conjunction with
other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.
* * * * *