PLATING SYSTEM FOR BONE FIXATION AND METHOD OF IMPLANTATION
A modular bone distraction screw and a plate-based bone fixation device are well adapted for use in the spine. A plate has adjustable length and can accommodate bone settling. The method of use for each device is described and illustrated herein.
This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/025,659, entitled “Plating System for Bone Fixation and Method of Implantation,” filed Dec. 28, 2004, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/533,062, entitled “Plating System for Bone Fixation and Method of Implantation”, filed Dec. 29, 2003, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/551,263, entitled “Plating System for Bone Fixation and Method of Implantation, filed Mar. 8, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/603,808, entitled “Bone Fixation Plate and Method of Implantation, filed Aug. 23, 2004. Priority of the aforementioned filing dates is hereby claimed, and the disclosures of the Applications indicated above are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUNDThe present disclosure is directed at skeletal plating systems, components thereof, and method of implant placement. Such systems are used to adjust, align and maintain the spatial relationship(s) of adjacent bones or bony fragments during healing and fusion. Such systems may be comprised of bone distraction devices, skeletal plates, bone screws and/or bone cables, bone screw-to-plate locking mechanisms, and any additional instruments for implant placement.
Whether for degenerative disease, traumatic disruption, infection or neoplastic invasion, surgical reconstructions of the bony skeleton are common procedures in current medical practice. Regardless of anatomical region or the specifics of the reconstructive procedure, many surgeons employ an implantable skeletal plate to adjust, align and maintain the spatial relationship(s) of adjacent bones or bony fragments during postoperative healing. These plates are generally attached to the bony elements using bone screws or similar fasteners and act to share the load and support the bone as osteosynthesis progresses.
Available plating systems used to fixate the cervical spine possess several shortcomings in both design and implantation protocols. These plates are manufactured and provided to the surgeon in a range of sizes that vary by a fixed amount. This mandates that a large number of different size plates must be made and inventoried—adding to cost for manufacturer, vendor, and end user (e.g., hospitals). More importantly, the pre-manufactured sizes may not precisely fit all patients forcing surgeons to choose between a size too small or too large.
Current cervical plates are not modular, and will not permit addition of one plate to another for extension of the bony fusion at a future date. It is accepted that fusion of a specific spinal level will increase the load on, and the rate of degeneration of, the spinal segments immediately above and below the fused level. As the number of spinal fusion operations have increased, so have the number of patients who require extension of their fusion to adjacent levels. Currently, the original plate must be removed and replaced with a longer plate in order to fixate the additional fusion segment. This surgical procedure necessitates re-dissection through the prior, scarred operative field and substantially increases the operative risk to the patient. Further, since mis-alignment of the original plate along the vertical axis of the spine is common, proper implantation of the replacement plate often requires that the new bone screws be placed in different bone holes. The empty holes that result may act as stress concentration points within the vertebral bodies, as would any empty opening or crack within a rigid structural member, and lead to bone fracture and subsequent screw/plate migration.
Current plates may provide fixation that is too rigid. Since bone re-absorption at the bone/graft interface is the first phase of bone healing, fixation that is too rigid will not permit the bone fragments to settle and re-establish adequate contact after initial bone absorption. This process is known as “stress shielding” and will lead to separation of the bony fragments and significantly reduce the likelihood of bony fusion. Unsuccessful bone fusion may lead to construct failure and will frequently necessitate surgical revision with a second operative procedure.
Benzel (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,681,312, 5,713,900) and Foley (Pat. Applic. Pub. No. US2001/0047172A1) have independently proposed platting systems designed to accommodate bone settling. In either system, however, bony subsidence causes one end of the plate to migrate towards an adjacent, normal disc space. This is highly undesirable since, with progressive subsidence, the plate may overly the disc space immediately above or below the fused segments and un-necessarily limit movement across a normal disc space. Clearly, accommodation of bone settling at the plate's end is a sub-optimal solution.
The implantation procedures of current plates have additional shortcomings. Distraction screws are used during disc removal and subsequent bone work and these screws are removed prior to bone plate placement. The empty bone holes created by removal of the distraction screws can interfere with proper placement of the bone screws used to anchor the plate and predispose to poor plate alignment along the long axis of the spine. This is especially problematic since the surgical steps that precede plate placement will distort the anatomical landmarks required to ensure proper plate alignment, leaving the surgeons with little guidance during plate implantation. For these reasons, bone plates are frequently placed “crooked” in the vertical plane and often predispose to improper bony alignment. Correct plate placement in the vertical plane is especially important in plates intended to accommodate bony subsidence, since the plate preferentially permits movement along its long axis. Thus, when the vertical axis of the plate and that of the spine are not properly aligned, the plate will further worsen the bony alignment as the vertebral bones subside.
The empty bone holes left by the removal of the distraction screws also act as stress concentration points within the vertebral bodies, as would any empty opening or crack within a rigid structural member, and predispose them to bone fracture and subsequent screw/plate migration. Improper plate placement and bony fractures can significantly increase the likelihood of construct failure and lead to severe chronic pain, neurological injury, and the need for surgical revision with a second procedure.
Yuan et al describes a multi-segmental plate consisting of two sliding parts in U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,142. While intended to be absorbable, Yuan's design permits excessive play between the sliding component and encourage bone screw loosening. In addition, this device does not permit application and maintenance of a compressive force across the bony construct, as most surgeons prefer. Baccelli noted these deficiencies in U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,136 and proposed a rigid plate capable of maintaining bony compression. Unfortunately, the latter plate did not permit subsidence.
SUMMARYIn view of the proceeding, there is a need for an improved bone plating system and placement protocol. Described herein is a modular bone plate of adjustable length that will accommodate bone settling. The device provides ease of use, reliable bone fixation, adjustable length, modular design, and the ability to accommodate and control bone settling. The device maximizes the likelihood of proper plate placement and avoids maneuvers that weaken the vertebral bodies.
In accordance with one aspect, a modular distraction screw is used for the bone work prior to plate placement. The distraction screw is placed as the first step of surgery when all relevant landmarks are still intact. After completion of the bone work, the proximal end of the distraction screw is detached, leaving a distal segment still implanted in the vertebral bodies above and below the newly fused disc space. The plate is guided to proper position along the upper and lower vertebra by the attached distal segments. The distal segments of the distraction screws are tightened onto the plate and the plate is held stationary while bone screws are placed.
The distal segments are used to guide the bone plate into the correct placement position and serve to hold the plate stationary while the plate's bone screws are placed. Since the distraction screws were placed with intact surgical landmarks, use of the distal segments to guide the plate significantly increases the likelihood of proper plate placement. In addition, this placement method allows the distal segments of the distraction screws to serve as additional points of fixation for the plate and leaves no empty bone holes to serve as stress concentration points and further weaken the vertebral bodies.
After the plate is attached to the upper and lower vertebras, the plate is set to the desired length and the locking element is deployed. If a compressive force across the vertebral bodies is desired, compression is applied prior to deployment of the locking element. After deployment, the plate maintains the force across the vertebral bodies and permits a pre-determined amount of bony subsidence. The plate does not overlap the adjacent disc space with bone subsidence, since movement is accommodated at the level of settling bone and not at the plate's end. Moreover, the plate permits maintenance of a compression force as well as accommodation and control of bony subsidence, among other features.
Extension of the fusion at a later date is easily accomplished without plate removal. An adapter is placed at either end of the plate to permit fusion extension. The procedure is started by connecting a modified distraction screw to the coupler at the end of the plate immediately adjacent to the disc to be fused. A modular distraction screw is inserted into the adjacent vertebra and a discectomy and subsequent fusion are performed within the intervening disc space. After completion of the bone work, the modified distraction screw is removed leaving the bare coupler on the end of the plate. The proximal segment of the distraction screw is also removed leaving the distal segment attached to the adjacent vertebral body. An extension plate is used to span the space between the distal segment of the distraction screw on the adjacent vertebra and the end-coupler on the original plate. In this way, the fusion is extended and the newly fused segment is fixated without removal of the original plate.
In accordance with one aspect, there is disclosed a bone fixation device, comprising: a first member connectable to a first vertebra; a second member connectable to a second vertebra and interconnected with the first member, the first and second members being movable relative to one another; and at least one distraction screw interface configured to couple to a distraction screw for temporarily immobilizing the bone fixation device relative to the first and second vertebra, wherein the distraction screw couples to the distraction screw interface at a plurality of locations relative to the bone fixation device.
In accordance with another aspect, there is disclosed a bone fixation device for retaining bone structure in a desired spatial relationship, comprising: a first member connectable to a first bone structure; a second member connectable to a second bone structure and interconnected with the first member, wherein the first and second members are movable relative to one another across a range of motion; and a locking member that transitions between a first state wherein the locking member engages the first member, and a second state wherein the locking member engages the second member, wherein the locking member and the first member move in unison across a first distance when the locking member is in the first state, and wherein the locking member and the second member move in unison across a second distance when the locking member is in the second state.
In accordance with another aspect, there is disclosed a device for positioning a bone fixation plate relative to a bone structure, comprising: a holder portion configured to be removably attached to the bone fixation plate; and an actuator coupled to the holder portion, wherein the actuator is actuated to move the holder portion to thereby adjust the size of the bone fixation plate.
The plating systems described herein provide ease of use, reliable bone fixation, adjustable length, modular design, and the ability to accommodate and control bone settling. The plate maximizes the likelihood of proper plate placement, avoid maneuvers that weaken the vertebral bodies, and provides a significant advantage over the prior art. These and other features will become more apparent from the following description and certain modifications thereof when taken with the accompanying drawings.
Disclosed is a modular bone distraction screw and a plate-based bone fixation device. While they may be used in any skeletal region, these devices are well adapted for use in the spine. Exemplary embodiments of the fixation device, distraction screw and the method of use are described with respect to the spine region. The plate has adjustable length and can accommodate bone settling. The method of use for each device is described and illustrated herein.
Modular Distraction ScrewAs shown, an embodiment of head portion 122 is composed of at least two segments, including first segment 123, which is rotationally positioned within second segment 125. The second segment 125 has two or more protrusions that limit the rotation of first segment 123. When a clockwise rotational force is applied to a central indentation 1222 within first segment 123, the first segment 123 will rotate until stopped by the interaction of protrusion 1224 and indentation 1226. Once stopped, application of additional rotation will cause distal segment 120 to exert force against the protrusions 1224, such that the entire distal segment turns in unison, such as in a clock-wise fashion. Conversely, application of a counter clock-wise rotational force will return sub-segment 1220 to the closed position and further rotation will cause distal segment 120 to turn in unison in a counter clock-wise fashion.
The proximal segment 130 is now described in more detail with reference to
The coupled proximal segment 130 and distal segment 120 employing the previously described means of engagement provide a modular distraction screw. When fully assembled, the screw will function as a unitary device. In a surgical application, a wrench (not shown) is attached to the distraction screw and the distraction screw is positioned at a site of a bone. A rotational force is applied to portion 180 (
After the distraction screws are used to perform the bone work, proximal segments 130 are detached. Each distraction screw is disassembled into its components and a distal segment 120 is left attached each vertebral body. The distal segment provides enhanced structural integrity of the bone by reducing the stress concentration generally expected of an empty opening in a structural member. In addition, leaving the distal segment 120 attached to bone eliminates the robust bone bleeding encountered after removal of current, commercially-available distraction screws and obviates the need to fill the empty hole with a hemostatic agent.
Each distal segment 120 also provides an anchor point for the skeletal plate and helps insure proper plate placement. Since placement of the distraction screws is performed as the first step in the surgical procedure, the anatomical landmarks required to ensure proper alignment of the plate in the desired anatomical plane are still intact.
Plate DeviceWith reference to
After engaging the underlying bone, the screws may be further attached to the plate using any of a variety of screw-to-plate locking mechanisms. Such mechanisms include, but are not limited to, the methods and devices illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. D440311S, D449692S, 5,364,399, 554,612, 5,578,034, 5,676,666, 5,681,311, 5,735,853, 5,954,722, 6,039,740, 6,152,927, 6,224,602, 6,235,034, 6,331,179, 6,454,769, 6,599,290, 6,602,255, 6,602,256, 6,626,907, 6,652,525, 6,663,632, and 6,695,846. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art can apply these or any other suitable screw retention system and method to the plate devices described herein.
The components 20 and 30 are configured to slidingly move relative to one another. In one embodiment, the component 110 slides along elongate rods 2101 that extend from the sliding component 20 such that the component 110 can slide along a span, or degree, of linear movement. Alternately, the rods 2101 can have a curvature to provide a curved range of movement. It should be appreciated that the rods 2101 can have a variety of cross-sectional shapes. For example, the rods 2101 are shown having a straight-lined cross-sectional shape, although the cross-sectional shape can be circular or oval.
The third component 40 can be manipulated to control the degree of movement that is allowed between the components 20 and 30. As described below, the third component 40 can transition between two or more states that control the range of motion of the first component relative to the second component. An actuation member comprising a screw 21 can be coupled to the component 110 and the component 40 to transition the component 40 between the two states. When the locking component is in an open, or unlocked, state, the first and second components can move across a first range of motion relative to one another. When the adjustor component is in a closed, or locked, state, the first and second components can move across a second range of motion relative to one another. In one embodiment, the “range of motion” comprises linear and sliding movement that spans a predetermined distance. The linear movement can be in the longitudinal direction, which corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the spinal column. In one embodiment, the range of motion is a non-zero value both when the component 40 is in the unlocked or locked state. However, it should be appreciated that the range of motion does not have to be a non-zero value.
Each of the components 20 and 30 of the device 5 includes at least one bone screw interface, such as one or more boreholes, that can receive or that can matingly engage with a distraction screw, as described below. The borehole permits an additional distraction screw to be attached to the underlying vertebra and/or the device 5 without removing the device 5 from the vertebra.
The device 5 includes a modular aspect that permits the device 5 to be modularly attached to a second device, such as, for example, a coupler to a second bone fixation device, while the device 5 is attached to a spine. The device 5 does not have to be removed from the spine in order to modularly attach the second device to the device 5 in a modular fashion. It should be appreciated that the second device can be a device other than a bone fixation device. When the second device is coupled to a bone fixation device, the modular attachability allows a bone graft to be extended to additional vertebrae without having to remove the original bone fixation device.
The channel 1130 is configured to receive a distraction screw, such as, for example, the modular distractions screw described herein or other type of distraction screw. Advantageously, the channel 1130 is shaped such that the distraction screw can be positioned at various locations along the channel 1130, thereby permitting a variable distance between the distraction screw and the bone screws positioned in the boreholes 110. Thus, if the distraction screw is used to immobilize the plate during bone screw placement, the position of the plate prior to bone screw placement can be adjusted by moving the plate relative to the distraction screw.
Some existing bone fixation plates have an indentation along the plate border and use conventional, non-modular distraction screws to immobilize the plate during bone screw placement. Since the distraction screws make contact with the plate at fixed region of the plate, the distraction screws can only fixate the plate when they're tightly fitted against it. This mandates that the bone screw center must be placed a constant distance from the center of the distraction screw in the vertical plane.
A fixed spatial relationship between the bone screw and distraction screw is highly undesirable. Since bone spur formation obscures the true position of the vertebral end plate at the time of distraction screw placement, bone screw placement that is based on the position of the distraction screw will significantly increase the likelihood of improper plate placement.
In order to ensure proper plate placement, the surgeon must be able to adjustment the plate's position in the vertical plane. In the devices described herein, after the optimum position is selected, the distraction screws can be used to immobilize the plate and the bone screws is then placed. This strategy is most effectively accomplished by using a slot between the bone screw holes as in the current device.
With reference still to
The component 110 includes a central shaft or indentation 116 (
The end opposite to the sliding mechanism has an end-coupler 120 with a central hole 1202. A relief is cut along a wall of the hole 1202 to aid in the attached of any add-on devices. While depicted as a circumferential channel, the relief may be of any appropriate geometric shape that complements the add-on device. Further, the inside wall of hole 1202 may contain additional indentations, spines or texture to increase frictional contact between the plate and add-on devices.
A depression is present between the boreholes 210 with an elongated channel 210 positioned between the boreholes 210. A wall is situated between the top of channel 230 and depression 220 and it is angled with the true vertical.
As mentioned, the sliding end of component 20 includes a pair of rods 2101 and a central projection 250. The rods 2101 are sized to be inserted into the channels 355 in the component 110 and the central projection is sized to be inserted into the indentation 116. The ends of the rods 2101 have additional projections that lock the plate together so that once assembled it can not be pulled into its individual components. Likewise, the central projection 250 complements with indentation 116 of component 110. An end coupler 270 is located at the an opposite end of component 20 and may contain additional indentations, spines and texture—as described for end-coupler 120.
The screw 21 can be moved between an open and closed state to transition the side-arm 320 of the locking element between an open state and a closed state. When the side arm is in the open state, the locking component 30 and the component 20 cannot move relative to one another, but rather move as a unitary component.
This is described in more detail with reference to
However, when screw 21 is locked and fully seated within hole 118 (as shown in
Modular distraction screws are placed into the vertebral bodies above and below the disc to be removed as previously described. A discectomy is performed and the evacuated disc space is fused. After the bone work is complete, the screws are disassembled leaving the distal segments attached to the vertebral bodies. The distance between the distal segments is measured and a plate of appropriate size is selected. Since a sliding plate can accommodate a range of sizes, choosing the correct plate size is simplified when a sliding plate design is used.
While the preferred method of plate placement utilizes modular distraction screws, the plate may be also implanted without them. For example, a conventional one-piece distraction can be used to distract the vertebra during discectomy. After the bone work is finished, the conventional distraction screw is removed. Distal segments 120 are placed into the vertebral bodies and provide anchor points for the skeletal plate. As discussed, the plates have channels that interface with the distraction screw along a plurality of locations such that the relative positions between the distraction screws and the bone screws can be varied during placement. Alternatively, the plate may be manually held stationary while the bone screws are placed.
With movement of the holder's handle, the plate opens and closes. In particular, the holder 1901 has an actuator handle 1906 and a holder member 1910 (previously described) that couples to the plate device 5. The actuator handle 1906 is actuated to cause the first and second attachment members to move relative to one another. In this manner, the actuator handle 1906 can be actuated to move the first and second members relative to one another and thereby adjust the size of the device. In one embodiment, the actuator handle can be actuated using a single hand, thereby freeing the other hand for other tasks. A rack and pinion configuration can be employed to transfer movement of the handle to the attachment members of the holder. However, it should be appreciated that other mechanisms can be used.
With both distal segments locked, the plate is held stationary and the bone screws are easily placed into the underlying bone. Note that the segment of the holder adjacent to the plate's bore holes will also serve as guide for proper screw (and drill, for non-self drilling screws) placement. Bone screws and plate-to-screw locking mechanisms of any appropriate design may be employed. Compression may be added across the construct using plate holder. Screw 21 is closed thereby locking plate at the set length and maintaining any compression provided. At this point, components 20 and 110 can still move towards each other, permitting accommodation of bone settling. As mentioned, the extent of subsidence permitted is governed by the length of opening 1162.
Extension of the fusion at a future date can be accomplished without plate removal. Incorporation of the vertebral body immediately above or below into the fusion mass is started by placement of a modular distraction screw into the adjacent vertebra. A modified distraction screw is used to engage the end-coupler of the existing plate as shown in
When the discectomy and subsequent bone work are finished, the modular distraction screw is separated leaving the distal segment attached to vertebral body. The modified distraction screw is removed. A separate plate is used to span the distance between the distal segment 120 attached to the adjacent vertebra and the end coupler of the plate. In this way, the fusion is extended to an adjacent level without removal of the existing plate.
Occasionally, the end coupler of the plate abuts the adjacent disc space such that placement of the modified distraction screw onto the coupler hinders surgical access to the disc space.
Although embodiments of various methods and devices are described herein in detail with reference to certain versions, it should be appreciated that other versions, embodiments, methods of use, and combinations thereof are also possible. Therefore the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.
Claims
1. A device for positioning a bone fixation plate relative to a bone structure, comprising:
- a holder portion configured to be removably attached to the bone fixation plate;
- an actuator coupled to the holder portion, wherein the actuator is actuated to move the holder portion to thereby adjust the size of the bone fixation plate.
2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the holder portion comprises a first holder member configured to removably attach to a first component of the bone fixation plate, and a second holder member configured to removably attach to a second component of the bone fixation plate, and wherein actuation of the actuator moves the first holder member relative to the second holder member to thereby slidably move the first component relative to the second component.
3. A device as in claim 2, wherein the first holder member is sized to be removably inserted into a portion of the first component and wherein the second holder member is sized to be removably inserted in a portion of the second component.
4. A device as in claim 1, wherein the actuator member is positioned in a handle of the device.
5. A device as in claim 4, wherein the actuator member is configured to be actuated using a single hand.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 30, 2009
Publication Date: Mar 25, 2010
Inventor: M. Samy Abdou (San Diego, CA)
Application Number: 12/628,097
International Classification: A61B 17/58 (20060101);