Zimmer Biomet has filed a patent for a system and method to manipulate a surgical cord into spinal implants for correcting spinal deformities. The system includes a tensioner, tensioner extension, and counter tensioner, while one of the instruments has an elongate body with a flexible cylindrical member to carry tension and guide the surgical cord. The patent claims have been canceled. GlobalData’s report on Zimmer Biomet gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Zimmer Biomet, prosthetic cardiac valves was a key innovation area identified from patents. Zimmer Biomet's grant share as of September 2023 was 66%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
A system for manipulating a surgical cord in spinal implants
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230310042A1) describes a method for positioning and tensioning a surgical cord in spinal implants. The method involves maneuvering the proximal end of the surgical cord from a first spinal implant to an auxiliary surgical port through an incision inferior to a spinal deformity. The surgical cord is then threaded into a tensioning system, which includes a tensioner and a tensioner extension with a flexible elongate body and a distal nose member. The flexible elongate body is maneuvered along the surgical cord until the distal nose member is adjacent a second spinal implant, while the proximal end of the tensioner extension and the tensioner remain outside the auxiliary surgical port.
Another method described in the patent involves receiving the proximal end of the surgical cord through an auxiliary surgical port, with the distal end of the cord secured within a first spinal implant. The surgical cord is then threaded into a tensioning system, similar to the previous method. The flexible elongate body of the tensioner extension is maneuvered along the surgical cord until the distal nose member is adjacent a second spinal implant, while the proximal end of the tensioner extension and the tensioner remain outside the auxiliary surgical port.
The patent also includes additional steps such as maneuvering the proximal end of the surgical cord from the first spinal implant to the auxiliary surgical port, positioning the surgical cord into a third spinal implant, and temporarily removing the tensioner from the tensioning system to enhance maneuverability of the flexible elongate body.
Furthermore, the patent describes a spinal tethering procedure that involves securing a tether in a first spinal implant, inserting an auxiliary surgical access device through an incision, maneuvering the proximal end of the tether out of a body cavity through the auxiliary surgical access device, threading the proximal end of the tether into a tensioning system, positioning a distal end of a flexible elongate member adjacent a second spinal implant to insert a portion of the tether into the second spinal implant, and tensioning the tether between the first and second spinal implants using the tensioning system.
The patent also mentions the use of a counter tensioner to assist in positioning the portion of the tether into the second spinal implant, as well as the coupling of a tensioner to the proximal end of the flexible elongate member for tensioning the tether. Additionally, the patent describes securing the portion of the tether within the second spinal implant using a set screw inserted into a saddle portion of the implant.
Overall, the patent presents methods and procedures for positioning and tensioning surgical cords in spinal implants, providing potential advancements in spinal surgery techniques.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies
