US PATENT 9,510,872 B2 SPINAL STABILIZATION SYSTEM
A spinal stabilization system is provided for maintaining preselected spacing and movement between adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column and for providing overall stability thereto. The system includes interlaminar members positioned in the spaces intermediate a first vertebra and the vertebrae positioned immediately above and immediately below and adjacent to the first vertebra. The interlaminar members are operatively connected to one another by an adjustable support structure and cooperate therewith to maintain the preselected spacing between adjacent vertebrae and to provide overall stability to the spinal column.
CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A spinal stabilization system comprising:
a first interlaminar member adapted to be positioned between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in a spinal column; the first interlaminar member including a U-shaped body having a midsection, and two spaced apart end portions, and a pair of juxtaposed legs extending substantially parallel to one another from one of the respective ends in a direction generally outwardly away from the spinal column;
a second interlaminar member adapted to be positioned between the second vertebra and a third vertebra positioned adjacent to and above the first vertebra in the spinal column; and
a support structure operatively connected to the first and second interlaminar members, the first vertebra and at least one vertebra positioned below the first vertebra in the spinal column, the support structure including a T-shaped frame member operatively connected to the first and second interlaminar members and extending generally downwardly therefrom in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the spinal column, the T-shaped frame member including an elongate body having first and second end portions, the first end portion being operatively connected to the first interlaminar member, and an elongate cross member having first and second end portions and a midpoint, the elongate cross member being operatively connected approximately at the midpoint to the second end portion of the body.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the support structure includes a pair of support members secured to the first interlaminar member extending upwardly therefrom in a direction substantially parallel to one another.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the second interlaminar member is moveably supported by the upwardly extending support members.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the second interlaminar member is adjustably movable to a preselected position on the upwardly extending support members relative to the first interlaminar member in response to a dimension of the spinal column and a range of motion desired, and wherein the system further includes a fastener adapted to secure the position of the second member relative to the support member such that once the position of the second interlaminar member has been selected, the second interlaminar member is locked in place relative to the support members by the fastener.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second interlaminar member includes a body portion configured to support the fastener whereby the fastener extends through the body portion and is adapted to releaseably engage a support member of the pair of support members when extending therethrough.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein the second interlaminar member includes a body portion comprising a pair of oppositely positioned ears extending laterally outwardly from the body portion in opposing directions, each of the ears including an aperture formed therein, each aperture being structured and arranged to slideably receive one of the support members.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongate cross member is adjustably connected to the second end portion of the body, whereby the elongate cross member is pivotally or translatably movable with respect thereto.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the elongate body includes at least one linear rack, the rack being structured and arranged to progressively extend the distance between the first and second end portions of the elongate body of the T-shaped frame member.
9. The system of claim 8, further including a gear mechanism operatively connected to the at least one linear rack, the gear mechanism and the at least one linear rack forming a ratchet device configured to permit the progressive extension.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the second interlaminar member is structured and arranged to fit loosely between the second vertebra and the third vertebra.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second interlaminar member includes a body portion of a preselected thickness, the preselected thickness being based upon spacing between the second and third vertebrae whereby the preselected thickness of the body portion is smaller in size than the spacing to allow for a flexion of a portion of the spinal column.
12. The system of claim 1 further including first and second support members adjustably secured to the first and second ends of the elongate cross member respectively.
13. The system of claim 12 where each of the first and second support members includes an upper and a lower end, each of the upper and lower ends having a securing device slideably positioned thereon, each securing device being structured and arranged to be secured to a vertebra in the spinal column.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the pair of juxtaposed legs comprises an uppermost leg and a lowermost leg, the first end portion of the elongate body being operatively connected to the first interlaminar member at the lowermost leg and wherein the uppermost leg is longer that the lowermost leg.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the uppermost leg forms a handle adapted to facilitate insertion and positioning of the system during surgery.
16. The system of claim 1 wherein the first interlaminar member is structured and arranged to fit tightly between the first vertebra and the second vertebra.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the midsection is elastic.
18. The system of claim 1, wherein the support structure and the first interlaminar member are integrally formed from a single piece of material.
19. The system of claim 1, further including means for connecting the first interlaminar member to the support structure, the connecting means comprising at least one of: a) a hinge; b) a pin; or c) a threaded fastener.
20. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second end portions of the elongate cross member comprises a variable adjustment mechanism configured to pivotably or translatably receive and adjustably secure to the first and second support members.
21. A system for treating a patient's spinal column, the system comprising:
a spinal stabilization system including
a first interlaminar member adapted to be positioned between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in a spinal column; the first interlaminar member including a U-shaped body having a midsection, and two spaced apart end portions, and a pair of juxtaposed legs extending substantially parallel to one another from one of the respective ends in a direction generally outwardly away from the spinal column;
a second interlaminar member adapted to be positioned between the second vertebra and a third vertebra positioned adjacent to and above the first vertebra in the spinal column; and
a support structure operatively connected to the first and second interlaminar members, the first vertebra and at least one vertebra positioned below the first vertebra in the spinal column, the support structure including a T-shaped frame member operatively connected to the first and second interlaminar members and extending generally downwardly therefrom in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the spinal column, the T-shaped frame member including an elongate body having first and second end portions, the first end portion being operatively connected to the first interlaminar member, and an elongate cross member having first and second end portions and a midpoint, the elongate cross member being operatively connected approximately at the midpoint to the second end portion of the body and
an insertion tool configured to reversibly secure to a tool engagement portion of the spinal stabilization system, the insertion tool being adapted to permit a surgeon to grasp the system with the insertion tool whereby implantation of the system in the patient's spinal column is facilitated.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the insertion tool comprises a pair of pliers or hemostats.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the tool engagement portion includes a threaded portion and wherein the insertion tool includes a threaded portion configured to reversibly secure to the threaded portion of the tool engagement portion of the spinal stabilization system.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the insertion tool includes a cannulated shaft and a retainer shaft housed substantially within the cannulated shaft, the retainer shaft including a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end, the distal end of the retainer shaft comprising the threaded portion thereof and the proximal end of the retainer shaft comprising a handle.