SPINOUS PROCESS FIXATION IMPLANT
An implantable spinous processes fixation device including a first S-shaped plate having a first surface configured to engage a first lateral surface of a first spinous process and a second surface configured to engage a second lateral surface of a second spinous process and a second S-shaped plate having a first surface configured to engage a second lateral surface of the first spinous process and a second surface configured to engage a first lateral surface of the second spinous process. The first and second S-shaped plates are configured to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the center portions of the first and second S-shaped plates.
Latest SPINEFRONTIER LLS Patents:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/750,520 filed Dec. 14, 2005 and entitled “SPINOUS PROCESS FIXATION IMPLANT’, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
This application is also a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/609,418 filed on Dec. 12, 2006 and entitled SPINOUS PROCESS FIXATION IMPLANT the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a system and a method for spinal stabilization through an implant, and more particularly to spinal stabilization through attachment of the implant to the spinous processes along one or more vertebras.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The human spine comprises individual vertebras 30 (segments) that are connected to each other to form a spinal column 29, shown in
Several spinal fixation systems exist for stabilizing the spine so that bony fusion is achieved. The majority of these fixation systems utilize rods that attach to screws threaded into the vertebral bodies or the pedicles 48, shown in
Accordingly, there is a need for a spinal stabilization device that does not add bulk to the lateral aspect of the spine and does not limit access to the pars and transverse processes for decortication and placement of bone graft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn general, in one aspect, the invention features an implantable assembly for stabilization of spinous processes including a first S-shaped plate having a first surface configured to engage a first lateral surface of a first spinous process and a second surface configured to engage a second lateral surface of a second spinous process and a second S-shaped plate having a first surface configured to engage a second lateral surface of the first spinous process and a second surface configured to engage a first lateral surface of the second spinous process. The first and second S-shaped plates are configured to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the center portions of the first and second S-shaped plates.
Implementations of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The assembly may further include a post member configured to pass through concentrically aligned through-bore openings formed in the centers of the first and second S-shaped plates. The second S-shaped plate is configured to pivot around the post member and to set first and second pivot angles with the first S-shaped plate, respectively, thereby defining first and second spaces between the first S-shaped plate and the top and bottom portions, respectively. The second S-shaped plate may include top and bottom components configured to pivot around the axis independent of each other. The top and bottom components are configured to pivot around the post member and to set first and second pivot angles with the first S-shaped plate, respectively, thereby defining first and second spaces between the first S-shaped plate and the top and bottom components, respectively. The post member may include a locking element for securing and preventing pivoting of the first and second S-shaped plates. The post member may be an elongated bolt and the locking element may be threads formed at a portion of the bolt, dimensioned to engage inner threads in the first S-shaped plate through-bore, or a nut after the bolt exits the S-shaped plate through-bore. The first and second surfaces of the first and second S-shaped plates may include protrusions configured to engage and frictionally lock the S-shaped plates onto the first and second spinous processes. The protrusions may be teeth, spikes, serrations, rough coatings or ridges. The center portions of the first and second S-shaped plates are dimensioned to fit between the first and second spinous processes and comprise edges sculpted to conform to the shape of the spinous processes. The first and second pivot angles may have values between zero and 180 degrees. The first and second S-shaped plates are pivoted to a horizontal orientation for sidewise insertion of the assembly between the first and second spinous processes. The assembly may be assembled prior to or after being implanted between the first and second spinous processes. The assembly may further include a top locking member configured to lock the first and second S-shaped plates' top ends. The top locking member may be a long bolt configured to be threaded through bolt holes formed through the first S-shaped plate's top end, the first spinous process and the second S-shaped plate's top end. The top locking member may be staples, cables, sutures, pins or screws. The assembly may further include a bottom locking member configured to lock the first and second S-shaped plates' bottom ends. The bottom locking member may be a long bolt configured to be threaded through bolt holes formed through the first S-shaped plate's bottom end, the second spinous process and the second S-shaped plate's bottom end. The bottom locking member may be staples, cables, sutures, pins and screws. The first and second S-shaped plates may be made of stainless steel, titanium, gold, silver, alloys thereof, absorbable material, non-metal materials including synthetic ligament material, polyethylene, extensible materials or combinations thereof. The assembly may further include a center plate configured to pivot around the axis and being dimensioned to fit between the first and second spinous processes and comprising edges sculpted to conform to the shape of the spinous processes. The first and second S-plates may have adjustable lengths.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method for stabilizing spinous processes of a spinal column, including providing a first S-shaped plate and engaging a first surface of the first S-shaped plate with a first lateral surface of a first spinous process and a second surface of the first S-shaped plate with a second lateral surface of a second spinous process and providing a second S-shaped plate and engaging a first surface of the second S-shaped plate with a second lateral surface of the first spinous process and a second surface of the second S-shaped plate with a first lateral surface of the second spinous process. The first and second S-shaped plates are configured to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the center portions of the first and second S-shaped plates.
Among the advantages of this invention may be one or more of the following. The assembly stabilizes vertebras by attaching plates to the spinous processes of the vertebras. This stabilization device does not add bulk to the lateral aspect of the spine and does not limit access to the pars and transverse processes for decortication and placement of bone graft.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and description below. Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, the drawings and from the claims
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSReferring to the figures, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views:
The present invention relates to a system and a method for a spinous process fixation implant.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The assembled spinous process fixation assembly 100 is implanted into the patient with the use of instrumentation (not shown) between the two adjacent spinous processes 90a, 90b, as shown in
Referring to
In this embodiment the top pivoting plate 220 has a main body 222 with top and bottom ends 223a, 223b, respectively and inner 227 and outer surface 228, respectively, shown in
Elongated plate 210, top pivoting plate 220 and bottom pivoting plate 230 are assembled together, as shown in
Referring to
Assembly 300, with the S-shaped plates 310, 320 assembled and oriented horizontally, as shown in
Long bolts 370 may be added to this embodiment to further anchor the assembly 300 on the spinous processes. If they are added, appropriately sized holes must be drilled laterally through the spinous processes prior to placement of the device. Once the device is in place as described above, one long bolt 370 is threaded through a bolt hole on the top end of plate 310, through the drilled hole in the spinous process 90a, then out through a bolt hole on top end of plate 320. A second long bolt 370 may also be threaded through a bolt hole on the bottom end of plate 310, through the drilled hole in the spinous process 90b, then out through a bolt hole on the bottom end of plate 320. Tightening of bolts 380 and 370 securely locks the assembly 300 around spinous processes 90a, 90b.
In another embodiment of the spinous process fixation assembly 400, shown in
Long bolts 370 may be also added to this embodiment to further anchor the assembly 400 on the spinous processes, as was described above. Alternatively, a staple 450 may be placed on the top and bottom open ends of the plates 410, 420 and 430, as shown in
Referring to
In a sixth embodiment, shown in
Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, vertebras 92 and 94 may be any two vertebras, including lumbar L1-L5, thoracic T1-T12, cervical C1-C7 or the sacrum. The fixation assembly 100 may extend along multiple vertebras. The K shaped structure may be also configured as a mirror image of the structure in
Several embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. An implantable assembly for stabilization of spinous processes, comprising:
- a first S-shaped plate having a first surface configured to engage a first lateral surface of a first spinous process and a second surface configured to engage a second lateral surface of a second spinous process;
- a second S-shaped plate having a first surface configured to engage a second lateral surface of said first spinous process and a second surface configured to engage a first lateral surface of said second spinous process;
- wherein said first and second S-shaped plates are configured to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the center portions of said first and second S-shaped plates.
2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a post member configured to pass through concentrically aligned through-bore openings formed in said centers of said first and second S-shaped plates.
3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said second S-shaped plate comprises top and bottom components configured to pivot around said axis independent of each other.
4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said top and bottom components are configured to pivot around said post member and to set first and second pivot angles with said first S-shaped plate, respectively, thereby defining first and second spaces between said first S-shaped plate and said top and bottom components, respectively.
5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said second S-shaped plate is configured to pivot around said post member and to set first and second pivot angles with said first S-shaped plate, respectively, thereby defining first and second spaces between said first S-shaped plate and said top and bottom portions, respectively.
6. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said post member comprises a locking element for securing and preventing pivoting of said first and second S-shaped plates.
7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said post member comprises an elongated bolt and said locking element comprises threads formed at a portion of said bolt, dimensioned to engage inner threads in said first S-shaped plate through-bore.
8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said post member comprises an elongated bolt and said locking element comprises threads formed at a portion of said bolt, dimensioned to engage a nut after the bolt exits said S-shaped plates through-bores.
9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second surfaces of said first and second S-shaped plates comprise protrusions configured to engage and frictionally lock said S-shaped plates onto said first and second spinous processes.
10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said protrusions are selected from a group consisting of teeth, spikes, serrations, rough coatings and ridges.
11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said center portions of said first and second S-shaped plates are dimensioned to fit between said first and second spinous processes and comprise edges sculpted to conform to the shape of said spinous processes.
12. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said first and second pivot angles comprise values between zero and 180 degrees.
13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second S-shaped plates are pivoted to a horizontal orientation for sidewise insertion of said assembly between said first and second spinous processes.
14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said assembly is assembled prior to being implanted between said first and second spinous processes.
15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said assembly is assembled after being implanted between said first and second spinous processes.
16. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a top locking member configured to lock said first and second S-shaped plates' top ends.
17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said top locking member comprises a long bolt configured to be threaded through bolt holes formed through said first S-shaped plate's top end, said first spinous process and said second S-shaped plate's top end.
18. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said top locking member is selected from a group consisting of staples, cables, sutures, pins and screws.
19. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a bottom locking member configured to lock said first and second S-shaped plates' bottom ends.
20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said bottom locking member comprises a long bolt configured to be threaded through bolt holes formed through said first S-shaped plate's bottom end, said second spinous process and said second S-shaped plate's bottom end.
21. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said bottom locking member is selected from a group consisting of staples, cables, sutures, pins and screws.
22. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second S-shaped plates comprise material selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, gold, silver, alloys thereof, absorbable material, non-metal materials including synthetic ligament material, polyethylene, extensible materials and combinations thereof.
23. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a center plate configured to pivot around said axis and being dimensioned to fit between said first and second spinous processes and comprising edges sculpted to conform to the shape of said spinous processes.
24. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second S-plates comprise adjustable lengths.
25. A method for stabilizing spinous processes of a spinal column, comprising:
- providing a first S-shaped plate and engaging a first surface of said first S-shaped plate with a first lateral surface of a first spinous process and a second surface of said first S-shaped plate with a second lateral surface of a second spinous process;
- providing a second S-shaped plate and engaging a first surface of said second S-shaped plate with a second lateral surface of said first spinous process and a second surface of said second S-shaped plate with a first lateral surface of said second spinous process; and
- wherein said first and second S-shaped plates are configured to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the center portions of said first and second S-shaped plates.
26. The method of claim 25 further comprising securing and preventing pivoting of first and second S-shaped plates after said engaging of said first and second S-shaped plates' surfaces to said lateral surfaces of said first and second spinous processes, respectively.
27. The method of claim 25 wherein said engaging comprises engaging protrusions formed in said first and second surfaces of said first and second S-shaped plates, to said lateral surfaces of said first and second spinous processes, respectively.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein said protrusions are selected from a group consisting of teeth, spikes, serrations, rough coatings and ridges.
29. The method of claim 25 further comprising providing a post member configured to pass through concentrically aligned through-bore openings formed in said centers of said first and second S-shaped plates.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein said second S-shaped plate comprises top and bottom components configured to pivot around said axis independent of each other.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein said top and bottom components are configured to pivot around said post member and to set first and second pivot angles with said first S-shaped plate, respectively, thereby defining first and second spaces between said first S-shaped plate and said top and bottom components, respectively.
32. The method of claim 29 wherein said second S-shaped plate is configured to pivot around said post member and to set first and second pivot angles with said first S-shaped plate, respectively, thereby defining first and second spaces between said first S-shaped plate and said top and bottom portions, respectively.
33. The method of claim 29 wherein said post member comprises a locking element for securing and preventing pivoting of said first and second S-shaped plate.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein said post member comprises an elongated bolt and said locking element comprises threads formed at a portion of said bolt, dimensioned to engage inner threads in said first S-shaped plate through-bore.
35. The method of claim 33 wherein said post member comprises an elongated bolt and said locking element comprises threads formed at a portion of said bolt, dimensioned to engage a nut after the bolt exits said S-shaped plates through-bores.
36. The method of claim 25, wherein said center portions of said first and second S-shaped plates are dimensioned to fit between said first and second spinous processes and comprise edges sculpted to conform to the shape of said spinous processes.
37. The method of claim 31, wherein said first and second pivot angles comprise values between zero and 180 degrees.
38. The method of claim 25 wherein said first and second S-shaped plates are pivoted to a horizontal orientation for sidewise insertion of said method between said first and second spinous processes.
39. The method of claim 25 wherein said first and second S-shaped plates are assembled prior to being implanted between said first and second spinous processes.
40. The method of claim 25 wherein said first and second S-shaped plates are assembled after being implanted between said first and second spinous processes.
41. The method of claim 25 further comprising providing a top locking member configured to lock said first and second S-shaped plates' top ends.
42. The method of claim 41 wherein said top locking member comprises a long bolt configured to be threaded through bolt holes formed through said first S-shaped plate's top end, said first spinous process and said second S-shaped plate's top end.
43. The method of claim 41 wherein said top locking member is selected from a group consisting of staples, cables, sutures, pins and screws.
44. The method of claim 25 further comprising providing a bottom locking member configured to lock said first and second S-shaped plates' bottom ends.
45. The method of claim 44 wherein said bottom locking member comprises a long bolt configured to be threaded through bolt holes formed through said first S-shaped plate's bottom end, said second spinous process and said second S-shaped plate's bottom end.
46. The method of claim 46 wherein said bottom locking member is selected from a group consisting of staples, cables, sutures, pins and screws.
47. The method of claim 25 wherein said first and second S-shaped plates comprise material selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, gold, silver, alloys thereof, absorbable material, non-metal materials including synthetic ligament material, polyethylene, extensible materials and combinations thereof.
48. The method of claim 25 further comprising providing a center plate configured to pivot around said axis and being dimensioned to fit between said first and second spinous processes and comprising edges sculpted to conform to the shape of said spinous processes.
49. The method of claim 25 wherein said first and second S-plates comprise adjustable lengths.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 13, 2006
Publication Date: Jul 12, 2007
Applicant: SPINEFRONTIER LLS (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
Inventors: KINGSLEY CHIN (PHILADELPHIA, PA), DANIEL BAKER (SEATTLE, WA), DANIEL JUSTIN (LOGAN, UT)
Application Number: 11/609,967
International Classification: A61F 2/30 (20060101);