US PATENT 9,795,419 B2 SPINAL STABILIZATION SYSTEM
A spinal stabilization system and method are provided for treating a patient's spinal column, for maintaining preselected spacing and movement between adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column, and for providing overall stability thereto. The system includes an interlaminar member positioned in the space intermediate a first vertebra and the vertebrae positioned immediately below and adjacent to the first vertebra. The interlaminar member is operatively connected to an adjustable support structure and cooperates 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 for treating a spinal column having a first vertebra and a second vertebra, the system comprising:
an interlaminar member adapted to be positioned between the first vertebra and the second vertebra; the 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 the U-shaped body, each of the pair of juxtaposed legs having a first end connected to one of the two respective spaced apart end portions of the U-shaped body, each leg including a second end located opposite the first end;
a support structure operatively connected to the interlaminar member, the support structure including a T-shaped frame member operatively connected to the interlaminar member and extending generally downwardly therefrom, the T-shaped frame member including an elongate body having first and second end portions, the first end portion of the elongate body being operatively connected to the interlaminar member at the second end of one of the pair of juxtaposed legs, 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 elongate body.
2. The system of claim 1 further including first and second guide rods adjustably secured to the first and second ends of the elongate cross member respectively.
3. The system of claim 2 where each of the first and second guide rods 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.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second end portions of the elongate cross member further includes an aperture formed therein configured to pivotably and/or translatably receive a respective one of the first and second guide rods and a fastener adapted to the respective one of the first and second guide rods in a preselected position.
5. The system of claim 1, 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.
6. The system of claim 5, 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.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the support structure includes a pair of support members secured to the interlaminar member at one of the pair of juxtaposed legs, the leg being opposite the leg to which the elongate body is attached, the support members extending upwardly therefrom in a direction substantially parallel to one another.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the interlaminar member is structured and arranged to fit tightly between the first vertebra and the second vertebra.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the midsection is elastic.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the support structure and the interlaminar member are integrally formed from a single piece of material.
11. A system for treating a patient's spinal column, the system comprising:
a spinal stabilization system including an interlaminar member adapted to be positioned between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in a spinal column; the 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 support structure operatively connected to the interlaminar member and adapted to be connected to 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 interlaminar member 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 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.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the insertion tool comprises a pair of pliers or hemostats.
13. The system of claim 12, 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.
14. The system of claim 13, 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.
15. A spinal stabilization system comprising:
an interlaminar member adapted to be positioned between a first vertebra and a second vertebra in a spinal column; the 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 support structure operatively connected to the interlaminar member, 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 interlaminar member 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 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;
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 interlaminar member at the lowermost leg and wherein the uppermost leg is longer that the lowermost leg.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the uppermost leg forms a handle adapted to facilitate insertion and positioning of the system during surgery.
17. A spinal stabilization system for treating a spinal column having a first vertebra and a second vertebra positioned adjacent the first vertebra, the system comprising:
an interlaminar member adapted to be positioned between the first vertebra and the second vertebra; the interlaminar member including a U-shaped body having a midsection, and two spaced apart end portions, and a pair of juxtaposed legs, each leg having a first end connected at each spaced apart end portion, respectively, and extending generally parallel to one another from each one of the respective ends and each leg having a second end opposite the first end;
a support structure operatively connected to the interlaminar member, the support structure including a T-shaped frame member operatively connected to the interlaminar member and extending generally downwardly therefrom, the T-shaped frame member including an elongate body having first and second end portions, the first end portion of the elongate body being operatively connected to the 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 of the elongate body;
wherein the T-shaped frame is defined by a first plane, the U-shaped body is defined in a second plane and wherein an arrangement between the T-shaped frame and U-shaped body is such that the first plane is generally perpendicular to the second plane.