Anchoring systems and methods for correcting spinal deformities

Abstract
Spinal anchoring methods and devices are provided that are effective to correct spinal deformities while allowing some flexibility to the spine. In particular, the methods and devices allow a spinal fixation element to mate to several adjacent vertebrae to maintain the vertebrae at a fixed distance relative to one another, yet to allow the orientation of each vertebrae relative to the fixation element to adjust as the orientation of the patient's spine changes.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to non-fusion methods and devices for correcting spinal deformities.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spinal deformities, which include rotation, angulation, and/or curvature of the spine, can result from various disorders, including, for example, scoliosis (abnormal curvature in the coronal plane of the spine), kyphosis (backward curvature of the spine), and spondylolisthesis (forward displacement of a lumbar vertebra). Early techniques for correcting such deformities utilized external devices that apply force to the spine in an attempt to reposition the vertebrae. These devices, however, resulted in severe restriction and in some cases immobility of the patient. Thus, to avoid this need, several rod-based techniques were developed to span across multiple vertebrae and force the vertebrae into a desired orientation.


In rod-based techniques, one or more rods are attached to the vertebrae at several fixation sites to progressively correct the spinal deformity. The rods are typically pre-curved to a desired adjusted spinal curvature. Wires can also be used to pull individual vertebra toward the rod. Once the spine has been substantially corrected, the procedure typically requires fusion of the instrumented spinal segments.


While several different rod-based systems have been developed, they tend to be cumbersome, requiring complicated surgical procedures with long operating times to achieve correction. Further, intraoperative adjustment of rod-based systems can be difficult and may result in loss of mechanical properties due to multiple bending operations. Lastly, the rigidity and permanence of rigid rod-based systems does not allow growth of the spine and generally requires fusion of many spine levels, drastically reducing the flexibility of the spine.


Accordingly, there remains a need for improved methods and devices for correcting spinal deformities.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides various embodiments of spinal anchoring methods and devices for correcting spinal deformities. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal anchoring device is provided having a bone-engaging member that is adapted to engage bone, and a receiver member that is movably coupled to the bone-engaging member and that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element. The anchoring device can also include a fastening element, such as a set screw, that is adapted to mate to the receiver member to lock a fixation element in a fixed position relative to the receiver member while allowing the receiver member to move freely relative to the bone-engaging member.


The receiver member can have a variety of configurations, but in one exemplary embodiment the receiver member includes a recess formed in a proximal portion thereof that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element. The recess is preferably spaced apart and separate from the cavity in the distal portion of the receiver member. The receiver member can also include a distal portion that is movably mated to the bone-engaging member, and a proximal portion having a recess formed therein for seating a spinal fixation element.


Movement of the receiver member relative to the bone-engaging member can vary, and in one embodiment the bone-engaging member can be pivotally coupled to the receiver member such that the receiver member pivots along an axis relative to the bone-engaging member. By way of non-limiting example, a pin member can extend through a distal end of the receiver member and through a proximal end of the bone-engaging member for pivotally mating the receiver member and the bone-engaging member. In another embodiment, the bone-engaging member can be polyaxially coupled to the receiver member. By way of non-limiting example, the bone-engaging member can include a spherical head formed on a proximal end thereof, and the receiver member can include a cavity formed in a distal portion thereof that is adapted to polyaxially seat the spherical head of the bone-engaging member. In other aspects, portions of the receiver member and/or the bone-engaging member can optionally include a surface coating, such as titanium oxide, nitride, or a cobalt-chrome alloy, that is adapted to facilitate movement of the receiver member relative to the bone-engaging member.


In another embodiment of the present invention, a spinal anchoring system is provided having a spinal fixation element, a spinal anchoring device having a bone-engaging member and a receiver member freely movably coupled to the bone-engaging member and configured to receive the spinal fixation element, and a fastening element that is receivable within the receiver member of the spinal anchoring device and that is configured to lock the spinal fixation element to the spinal anchoring device. The spinal fixation element can have a variety of configurations, and suitable spinal fixation elements include, for example, cables, tethers, rigid spinal rods, or flexible spinal rods. The spinal fixation can also be formed from a variety of materials include, for example, stainless steel, titanium, non-absorbable polymers, absorbable polymers, and combinations thereof.


In other embodiments the present invention provides a method for correcting spinal deformities that includes the step of implanting a plurality of anchoring devices into adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column. Each anchoring device preferably includes a bone-engaging member that is fixedly attached to the vertebra and a receiver member that is freely movable relative to the bone-engaging member and the vertebra. A spinal fixation element is then coupled to the receiver member on each anchoring device such that the fixation element extends between each of the adjacent vertebrae. Once properly positioned, the spinal fixation element is locked to the receiver member on each anchoring device to maintain the adjacent vertebrae at a fixed distance relative to one another while allowing free movement of each vertebrae in the fixed position.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:



FIG. 1A is a side view of one embodiment of a spinal anchoring device in accordance with the present invention;



FIG. 1B is another side view of the spinal anchoring device shown in FIG. 1A;



FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the spinal anchoring device shown in FIG. 1A taken across line A-A;



FIG. 1D is an enlarged view of a proximal portion of the spinal anchoring device shown in FIG. 1C;



FIG. 1E is an enlarged view of a proximal portion of another embodiment of a spinal anchoring device;



FIG. 2 is a side, partially cross-sectional view illustration of two spinal anchoring devices, as shown in FIG. 1A, implanted in adjacent vertebrae in accordance with one embodiment of a method for correcting spinal deformities;



FIG. 3A is a side view illustration of two spinal anchoring devices having receiver members coupled to a spinal fixation rod and having bone-engaging members implanted in adjacent vertebrae in accordance with another embodiment of a method for correcting spinal deformities; and



FIG. 3B illustrates the spinal anchoring devices shown in FIG. 3A with the receiver members pivoted relative to the bone-engaging members to allow for movement of the vertebrae.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides spinal anchoring methods and devices that are effective to correct spinal deformities while allowing some flexibility to the spine. In particular, the methods and devices allow a spinal fixation element to mate to several adjacent vertebrae to maintain the vertebrae at a fixed distance relative to one another, yet to allow the orientation of each vertebrae in that fixed position to adjust as the orientation of the patient's spine changes, e.g., due to movement and/or growth. While various techniques can be used to provide for such a configuration, an exemplary anchoring device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention generally includes a bone-engaging member that is adapted to be implanted in a vertebra, and a receiver member that is movably coupled to the bone-engaging member and that is effective to mate to a spinal fixation element. In use, when several anchoring devices are implanted within adjacent vertebrae in a patient's spine and a spinal fixation element is fixedly mated to each anchoring device, the spinal fixation element is effective to maintain the adjacent vertebrae at a desired fixed distance relative to one another. Each vertebra can, however, change orientations in that fixed position relative to the spinal fixation element because the bone-engaging member implanted therein is movably attached to the receiver member mated thereto and mated to the spinal fixation element. As a result, the spinal anchoring devices allow movement of the patient's spine. Such a technique can be advantageous for shortening and/or halting growth of the patient's spine, however the methods and devices can be used in a variety of other spinal applications. By way of non-limiting example, the device can be used for posterior dynamization to function as a decompressive device for stenosis and/or an adjunct to an intervertebral disc to unload the facets of the vertebra.



FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate one exemplary embodiment of a spinal anchoring device 10 that includes a receiver member 12 that is polyaxially coupled to a bone-engaging member 14. While the bone-engaging member 14 can have a variety of configurations, in this embodiment the bone-engaging member 14 is in the form of a polyaxial screw having a threaded shank 14b and a substantially spherical head 14a. The proximal end of the head 14a, in the illustrated embodiment, may be truncated to form a flattened proximal surface 14c that facilitates polyaxial movement of the bone engaging member 14 relative to the receiver member 12, as will be discussed in more detail below. The head 14a can also include a driver-receiving element formed in the flattened proximal end 14c for mating with a driver device. The driver-receiving element can be, for example, a socket 14d (FIGS. 1C-1D) formed within the proximal end 14c of the head 14a for receiving a driver tool which can be used to thread the bone-engaging member 14 into bone. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that virtually any device that is effective to mate to bone can be used in place of bone-engaging member 14, including, for example, screws, hooks, bolts, plates, etc., as long as the bone-engaging member 14 is movably coupled to the receiver member 12.


The receiver member 12 can also have a variety of configurations, however, in the illustrated embodiment the receiver member 12 is generally U-shaped and includes a proximal portion 12a having opposed side walls or legs 13a, 13b that are substantially parallel to one another and that define a recess 16 therebetween for seating a spinal fixation element 18. The spinal fixation element 18 can have a variety of configurations, and, by way of non-limiting example, it can be rigid, semi-rigid, bendable, flexible, etc. Suitable spinal fixation elements for use with the present invention include, by way of non-limiting example, rods, tethers, cables, plates, etc. The spinal fixation element 18 can also be formed from a variety of materials including, for example, stainless steel, titanium, non-absorbable polymers, absorbable polymers, and combinations thereof. In certain applications, it may be desirable to provide a fixation element that is flexible to allow for bending, yet that is rigid in tension such that the fixation element can not stretch or lengthen. This is particularly useful in applications where it is necessary to prevent growth of the spine while allowing normal flexibility.


Still referring to FIGS. 1A-1D, the receiver member 12 also includes a distal portion 12b that is adapted to movably couple to the bone-engaging member 14. In particular, the distal portion 12b may include a seat 19 that is preferably effective to receive the head 14a of the bone-engaging member 14 such that the bone-engaging member 14 is polyaxially movable relative to the receiver member 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat 19 is defined by at least a portion of the walls of a substantially spherical cavity 20 formed in the distal portion 12b. The seat 19 is preferably complementary in shape to the head 14a. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the seat 19 and the head 14a are spherical in shape. One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the seat 19 and head 14a need not be spherical in shape or complementary in shape; the seat 19 and head 14a may have any shape(s) sufficient to allow polyaxial motion of the bone engaging member 14 relative to the receiver member 12. As discussed above, in certain embodiments the proximal end of the head 14a may be truncated to facilitate polyaxial motion. As shown in FIG. 1C, for example, the gap 17 between the fixation element 18 and the flattened proximal surface 14c provides an increased range of polyaxial motion to the head 14a within the cavity 20.


In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 20, and thus the seat 19, is spaced apart from the recess 16 in the proximal portion 12a of the receiver member 12 to inhibit contact between the head 14a and the spinal fixation element 18, thus allowing polyaxial movement of the spherical head 14a of the bone-engaging member 14 without interference from the spinal fixation element 18 disposed in the recess 16. The spacing between the recess 16 in the proximal portion 12a and the cavity 20 in the distal portion 12b can be achieved using a variety of techniques, but in the illustrated embodiment the legs 13a, 13b each include a protrusion or ridge 22a, 22b formed therein that separates the recess 16 and the cavity 20, as shown in FIGS. 1C-1D. The ridges 22a, 22b together define an opening 22c having a diameter Do that is less than both the diameter Dr of the spinal fixation element 18 and the diameter Db of the spherical head 14a of the bone-engaging member 14 to prevent passage of the fixation element 18 and the head 14a therethrough, thus separating the two components.


Since the diameter Do of the opening 22c is preferably smaller than the diameter Db of the head 14a of the bone-engaging member 14, the device 10 can be adapted to allow the bone-engaging member 14 to be inserted through the proximal portion 12a of the receiver member 12 to seat the head 14a in the spherical cavity 20. This can be achieved, for example, by expanding or pulling apart the legs 13a, 13b to increase the diameter Do of the opening 22c, thereby allowing the spherical head 14a to pass therethrough. The head 14a can then seated within the cavity 22 and the legs 13a, 13b can return to their original state. The spinal fixation element 18 can then be seated in the recess 16 in the proximal portion 12a of the receiver member 12 and the ridges 22a, 22b will prevent the fixation element 18 from passing therethrough into the cavity 22. The legs 13a, 13b can thereafter be locked in a fixed position relative to one another using a locking mechanism that mates to the legs. Exemplary locking mechanisms will be described in more detail below.


In other embodiments (not shown), rather than having ridges 22a, 22b formed on the legs 13a, 13b of the receiver member 12, the receiver member 12 can include an insert that is adapted to be disposed therein after the spherical head 14a is positioned within the cavity 22 in the distal portion 12b to separate the spherical head 14a from the fixation element 18. The insert can have any shape and size, but it is preferably adapted to complete the substantially spherical cavity 20 in the distal portion 12b of the receiver member 12, and to seat a spinal fixation element 18 extending through the receiver member 12. The insert can also be configured to merely sit within the receiver member 12, or it can be adapted to mate to the receiver member 12, e.g., using threads, a snap-fit, or some other engagement technique known in the art, such that the insert is retained at a desired location in the receiver member 12. In use, the insert will allow the bone-engaging member 14 to rotate freely within the cavity 20 in the distal portion 12b of the receiver member 12 because the insert does not bear against the spherical head 14a of the bone-engaging member 12. The insert will also allow the spinal fixation element 18 to be locked within the receiver member 12 using techniques which will be discussed in more detailed below. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of other techniques can be used to allow the bone-engaging member 14 to be assembled and disassembled from the receiver member 12. By way of non-limiting example, the proximal and distal portions 12a, 12b of the receiver member 12 can be separate components that are matable to one another, e.g., using threads or other mating techniques known in the art. Such a configuration allows the head 14a of the bone-engaging member 14 to be seated within the cavity 20 in the distal portion 12b prior to mating the proximal and distal portions 12a, 12b of the receiver member 12 to one another. Other techniques not shown or described herein can also be used as long as the bone-engaging member 14 and the receiver member 12 are at least partially freely movable relative to one another. For example, in certain embodiments, the head 14a of the bone engaging member 14 may be inserted through the distal end of the receiver member 12. In such embodiments, the opening 12c may not be necessary and thus, as shown in FIG. 1E by way of non-limiting example, the cavity 20″ and the recess 16″ may be completely separated within the receiver member 12″.


As previously indicated, the device 10 can also include a fastening element that is effective to lock the spinal fixation element 18 to the receiver member 12, and more preferably that is effective to lock the spinal fixation element 18 within the recess 16 in the receiver member 12 such that the spinal fixation element 18 cannot move relative to the receiver 12. The fastening element can have a variety of configurations, and it can be adapted to mate to inner and/or outer portions of the legs 13a, 13b on the receiver member. FIGS. 1B-1D illustrate one embodiment of a fastening element that is in the form of a threaded set screw 24 that is adapted to mate with corresponding threads formed within the receiver member 12, i.e., on the legs 13a, 13b. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of fastening elements known in the art can be used with the various spinal anchoring devices of the present invention and that the illustrated set screw 24 is merely one exemplary embodiment of a fastening element.



FIG. 2 illustrates the spinal anchoring device 10 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D in use. In the illustrated embodiment, two spinal anchoring devices 10, 10′ are implanted in adjacent vertebrae 50, 52, however any number of spinal anchoring devices can be used and the number will vary depending on the nature of the procedure being performed. The devices 10, 10′ are implanted in the vertebrae 50, 52 by inserting the bone-engaging member 14, 14′ of each device 10, 10′ through the receiver member 12, 12′ and then threading the bone-engaging member 14, 14′ into the vertebra. As previously mentioned, this can be achieved using a driver tool that is adapted to engage a driver-receiving element, such as socket 14d, 14d′, in the spherical head 14a, 14a′ on each bone-engaging member 14, 14′. Once the bone-engaging members 14, 14″ are implanted in the adjacent vertebrae 50, 52, a spinal fixation element, such as spinal rod 18, is positioned within the receiver member 12, 12′ of each device 10, 10′. Since the devices 10, 10′ are preferably used to correct a spinal deformity, the position of each vertebra will likely need to be adjusted to correct the deformity in order to seat the rod 18 within each receiver member 12, 12′. Once properly positioned, the rod 18 can be locked to each receiver member 12, 12′ preferably by inserting a locking mechanism, such as a set screw, into the head of each receiver member 12, 12′, thereby maintaining the vertebrae 50, 52 at a fixed distance apart from one another. Since each bone-engaging member 14, 14′ is polyaxially movable relative to each receiver member 12, 12′, each vertebrae 50, 52 is free to move in that fixed position relative to the receiver member 12, 12′ coupled thereto, thus allowing for movement of the spine.



FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate yet another embodiment of a spinal anchoring device 100. While the drawings illustrate two devices 100, 100′ implanted in adjacent vertebrae 150, 152, the devices 100, 100′ are substantially similar and those only one device 100 will be described. As shown, the device 100 is similar to device 10 in that it includes a receiver member 112 having a proximal portion 112a for seating a spinal fixation element 118, and a distal portion adapted to couple to a bone-engaging member 114. In this embodiment, however, rather than allowing polyaxial movement of the receiver member 112 relative to the bone-engaging member 114, the receiver member 112 pivots along an axis, indicated by point A, relative to the bone-engaging member 114. Pivotal movement can be achieved using a variety of techniques, and in one exemplary embodiment a bearing element can be formed between the components 112, 114. The bearing element can be, for example, a pin member 120 that extends through the distal portion 112b of the receiver member 112 and through a portion of the bone-engaging member 114. Since the bone-engaging member 114 is not polyaxial, the bone-engaging member 114 may or may not include a head formed thereon, and thus the pin member 120 can extend through a head of the bone-engaging member 114, or it can extend directly through a portion of the shaft 114b of the bone-engaging member 114. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of other techniques can be used to provide a receiver member 112 that is pivotally coupled to a bone-engaging member 114.


In use, several devices 100 can be implanted in adjacent vertebrae to maintain the vertebrae in a fixed position relative to one another, yet to allow pivotal movement of each vertebrae in that fixed position, e.g., to allow the patient's spine to flex. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, two devices 100, 100′ are implanted in adjacent vertebra 150, 152. In FIG. 4A, the vertebrae 150, 152 are maintained in a first, fixed position by locking spinal rod 118 to the receiver member 112, 112′ of each device 100, 100′. In FIG. 4B, the vertebrae 150, 152 have pivoted within that fixed position due to flexion of the patient's spine, and thus each bone-engaging member 114, 114′ has pivoted along axis A relative to the receiver member 112, 112′ coupled thereto, and relative to the spinal fixation element 18 mated to each receiver member 112, 112′. Such a configuration can be useful in applications where movement along a single plane, such as the patient's coronal plane, is desired while preventing axial rotation of the vertebrae 150, 152.


The spinal anchoring devices in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention can be formed from a variety of materials, including, for example, stainless steel, titanium, cobalt-chrome alloys, etc. In other embodiments, the spinal anchoring devices can include features to facilitate movement of the bone-engaging member relative to the receiver member. For example, referring to the device 10 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, portions of the bone-engaging member 14 and the receiver member 12 that come into contact with one another, e.g., the spherical head 14a of the bone-engaging member 14 and/or the cavity 20 in the receiver member 12, can include a surface coating thereon or therein. The surface coating can be formed from a material that allows free movement of the components 12, 14, and that is preferably wear-resistant. By way of non-limiting example, suitable materials include titanium oxide, nitride, and a cobalt-chrome alloy.


One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims
  • 1. A spinal anchoring device, comprising: a bone screw having a threaded shank and a substantially spherical head that is truncated to form a flattened proximal surface;a receiver member having a proximal portion with opposed side walls that define a U-shaped recess therebetween for receiving a spinal fixation rod, and a distal portion having a cavity formed therein that seats the head of the bone screw such that the threaded shank extends distally from the distal portion of the receiver member; anda fastening element matable to the proximal portion of the receiver member such that the fastening element is effective to lock the spinal fixation rod in a fixed position relative to the receiver member with the spinal fixation rod directly contacting an inner surface of the receiver member, the bone screw being freely movable relative to the receiver member when the spinal fixation rod is locked in the fixed position relative to the receiver member by the fastening element.
  • 2. The spinal anchoring device of claim 1, wherein the fastening element is threaded for mating with threads formed on an internal surface of the proximal portion of the receiver member.
  • 3. The spinal anchoring device of claim 1, wherein, when the spinal fixation rod is locked relative to the receiver member by the fastening element, the flattened proximal surface of the head is spaced a distance apart from the spinal fixation rod.
  • 4. The spinal anchoring device of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the receiver member includes an opening formed in a distal end thereof for receiving the threaded shank, the opening having a maximum diameter that is less than a maximum diameter of the head of the bone screw.
  • 5. A spinal anchoring device, comprising: a spinal fixation rod;a bone screw having a head and a bone-engaging threaded shank extending distally from the head;a receiver member having a lumen extending therethrough from a proximal end to a distal end, the lumen including a proximal portion with opposed side walls that define a recess therebetween for receiving the spinal fixation rod, and a distal portion having a cavity formed therein that seats the head of the bone screw such that the bone-engaging threaded shank extends distally from the distal end of the receiver member; anda fastening element threadably matable to the proximal portion of the lumen and configured to lock the spinal fixation rod in a fixed position relative to the receiver member;wherein, when the spinal fixation rod is immovably locked within the receiver member by the fastening element, the spinal fixation rod is spaced a distance apart from the head of the bone screw without an intervening element being disposed between the spinal fixation rod and the head of the bone screw, such that the bone screw is freely polyaxially movable relative to the receiver member.
  • 6. The spinal anchoring device of claim 5, wherein the head of the bone screw is truncated.
  • 7. The spinal anchoring device of claim 5, wherein the fastening element directly contacts the spinal fixation rod to lock the spinal fixation rod in the fixed position relative to the receiver member.
  • 8. A spinal anchoring device, comprising: a bone screw having a truncated head with a flat proximal surface, and a threaded shank extending distally from a distal end of the head;a receiver member having a proximal portion with opposed side walls that define a recess therebetween for receiving a spinal fixation rod, and a distal portion having a cavity formed therein that seats the head of the bone screw such that the threaded shank extends distally from the receiver member; anda threaded set screw matable with threads formed on an internal surface of the opposed side walls of the proximal portion of the receiver member, the threads on the internal surface terminating proximal to the recess that receives the spinal fixation rod, the threaded set screw being configured to directly contact the spinal fixation rod extending through the proximal portion of the receiver member to lock the spinal fixation rod in a fixed position relative to the receiver member, the bone screw being freely movable relative to the receiver member when the spinal fixation rod is locked in the fixed position relative to the receiver member by the threaded set screw.
  • 9. The spinal anchoring device of claim 8, further comprising the spinal fixation rod.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/709,795 filed on May 28, 2004 and entitled “Anchoring Systems and Methods for Correcting Spinal Deformities,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (139)
Number Name Date Kind
4854304 Zielke Aug 1989 A
4946458 Harms et al. Aug 1990 A
5002542 Frigg Mar 1991 A
5207678 Harms et al. May 1993 A
5217461 Asher et al. Jun 1993 A
5344422 Frigg Sep 1994 A
5360431 Puno et al. Nov 1994 A
5403314 Currier Apr 1995 A
5429639 Judet Jul 1995 A
5474555 Puno et al. Dec 1995 A
5486174 Fournet-Fayard et al. Jan 1996 A
5545166 Howland Aug 1996 A
5562660 Grob Oct 1996 A
5672176 Biedermann et al. Sep 1997 A
5690630 Errico et al. Nov 1997 A
5725528 Errico Mar 1998 A
5728098 Sherman et al. Mar 1998 A
5782831 Sherman et al. Jul 1998 A
5879350 Sherman et al. Mar 1999 A
5951553 Betz Sep 1999 A
5954725 Sherman et al. Sep 1999 A
6022350 Ganem Feb 2000 A
6050997 Mullane Apr 2000 A
6053917 Sherman et al. Apr 2000 A
6063090 Schlapfer et al. May 2000 A
6083226 Fiz Jul 2000 A
6099528 Saurat et al. Aug 2000 A
6102912 Cazin et al. Aug 2000 A
6248106 Ferree Jun 2001 B1
6287308 Betz Sep 2001 B1
6290703 Ganem Sep 2001 B1
6296643 Hopf Oct 2001 B1
6299613 Ogilvie Oct 2001 B1
6309391 Crandall et al. Oct 2001 B1
6325805 Ogilvie Dec 2001 B1
6436099 Drewry Aug 2002 B1
6471705 Biedermann et al. Oct 2002 B1
6478798 Howland Nov 2002 B1
6485491 Farris et al. Nov 2002 B1
6520963 McKinley Feb 2003 B1
6551320 Lieberman Apr 2003 B2
6565569 Assaker et al. May 2003 B1
6616669 Ogilvie et al. Sep 2003 B2
6623484 Betz et al. Sep 2003 B2
6641586 Varieur Nov 2003 B2
6695843 Biedermann et al. Feb 2004 B2
6723100 Biedermann et al. Apr 2004 B2
6755829 Bono et al. Jun 2004 B1
6783527 Drewry Aug 2004 B2
6843791 Serhan Jan 2005 B2
6905500 Jeon et al. Jun 2005 B2
6986771 Paul et al. Jan 2006 B2
6989011 Paul et al. Jan 2006 B2
7018378 Biedermann et al. Mar 2006 B2
7066937 Shluzas Jun 2006 B2
7081116 Carly Jul 2006 B1
7081117 Bono et al. Jul 2006 B2
7083621 Shaolian et al. Aug 2006 B2
7087057 Konieczynski et al. Aug 2006 B2
7090674 Doubler et al. Aug 2006 B2
7125426 Moumene et al. Oct 2006 B2
7144396 Shluzas Dec 2006 B2
7204838 Jackson Apr 2007 B2
7211086 Biedermann et al. May 2007 B2
7223268 Biedermann May 2007 B2
7264621 Coates et al. Sep 2007 B2
7276069 Biedermann et al. Oct 2007 B2
7291151 Alvarez Nov 2007 B2
7291153 Glascott Nov 2007 B2
7335202 Matthis et al. Feb 2008 B2
7367978 Drewry et al. May 2008 B2
7604653 Kitchen Oct 2009 B2
7621912 Harms et al. Nov 2009 B2
7621940 Harms et al. Nov 2009 B2
7651515 Mack et al. Jan 2010 B2
7717941 Petit May 2010 B2
7727258 Graf Jun 2010 B2
7727259 Park Jun 2010 B2
7731749 Biedermann et al. Jun 2010 B2
7901435 Slivka et al. Mar 2011 B2
20020019636 Ogilvie Feb 2002 A1
20020032443 Sherman et al. Mar 2002 A1
20020151900 Glascott Oct 2002 A1
20020173791 Howland Nov 2002 A1
20030004512 Farris et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030023243 Biedermann et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030045879 Minfelde et al. Mar 2003 A1
20030083657 Drewry et al. May 2003 A1
20030100896 Biedermann et al. May 2003 A1
20030153911 Shluzas Aug 2003 A1
20030163133 Altarac et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030220643 Ferree Nov 2003 A1
20040049190 Biedermann et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040068258 Schlapfer et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040106921 Cheung Jun 2004 A1
20040172025 Drewry Sep 2004 A1
20040186474 Matthis et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040260284 Parker Dec 2004 A1
20050065516 Jahng Mar 2005 A1
20050143737 Pafford et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050165396 Fortin et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050177157 Jahng Aug 2005 A1
20050203513 Jahng et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050216003 Biedermann et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050261686 Paul Nov 2005 A1
20050277922 Trieu et al. Dec 2005 A1
20050288672 Ferree Dec 2005 A1
20060009768 Ritland Jan 2006 A1
20060106381 Ferree et al. May 2006 A1
20060149228 Schlapfer et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060149241 Richelsoph et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060195098 Schumacher Aug 2006 A1
20060200131 Chao et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060235393 Bono et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060264935 White Nov 2006 A1
20060264937 White Nov 2006 A1
20060276791 Shluzas Dec 2006 A1
20060290183 Yann Dec 2006 A1
20060293666 Matthis et al. Dec 2006 A1
20070049933 Ahn et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070049937 Matthis et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070055238 Biedermann et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070055240 Matthis et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070055241 Matthis et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070073291 Cordaro et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070118117 Altarac et al. May 2007 A1
20070129729 Petit et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070161996 Biedermann et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070208344 Young Sep 2007 A1
20070225707 Wisnewski et al. Sep 2007 A1
20070233064 Holt Oct 2007 A1
20070233080 Na et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070233085 Biedermann et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070260246 Biedermann Nov 2007 A1
20070270813 Garamszegi Nov 2007 A1
20080009862 Hoffman Jan 2008 A1
20080015578 Erickson et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080021469 Holt Jan 2008 A1
20080058812 Zehnder Mar 2008 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
Number Date Country
4107480 Sep 1992 DE
0879579 Nov 1998 EP
9322989 Nov 1993 WO
9615729 May 1996 WO
0103570 Jan 2001 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (6)
Entry
Betz, Randal R., et al. “An Innovative Technique of Vertebral Body Stapling for the Treatment of Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Feasibility, Safety, and Utility Study” Spine, vol. 28, No. 205, pp. S255-S265 (2003).
Dwyer, A. F., et al. “Anterior Approach to Scoliosis” The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, vol. 56B, No. 2, pp. 218-224 (May 1974.
Piggott Harry, “Growth Modification in the Treatment of Scoliosis”, Orthopedics, vol. 10/No. 6, pp. 945-952 (Jun. 1987).
Dwyer, A. F. “Experience of Anterior Correction of Scoliosis” Anterior Correction of Scoliosis, No. 93, pp. 191-206 (Jun. 1973).
Poulin, F, “Biomechanical Modeling of Instrumentation for the Scioliotic Spine Using Flexible Elements: A Feasability Study”, Ann Chir., 1998, vol. 52(8), pp. 761-767 (abstract only).
Betz, Randal, “Comparison of Anterior and Posterior Instrumentation for Correction of Adolescent Thoracic Idiopathic Scoliosis”, Spine, Feb. 1, 1999, vol. 24(3), pp. 225-239, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20110077688 A1 Mar 2011 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 10709795 May 2004 US
Child 12963290 US