Patent Application
20140200615
This application claims the benefit of a Taiwanese patent application, 102200771, filed on Jan. 11, 2013, the specification of which is incorporated here by this reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, and more particularly to a spine stabilization device including a coil spring member made of a spiral spring wire having multiple continuous loops. The coil spring member has the form of an elongated bar. Two connection members are locked on or elastically latched with two ends of the coil spring member. Opposite end faces of the two connection members are respectively formed with two sockets. At least one elastic bar is disposed in the coil spring member and axially extends through the coil spring member with two ends of the elastic bar respectively extending into the sockets of the connection members.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known that when the intervertebral disc between two vertebras of the spine is damaged to compress the nerve, a patient will feel sore and painful. In the case of serious injury, currently, the patient is cured by means of a fusion surgery to relieve the patient from the uncomfortableness. In the fusion surgery, a metal rod member is locked on the lesion vertebra and two vertebras on upper and lower sides of the lesion vertebra. That is, multiple vertebras are fixedly fused to protect the lesion vertebra from being reinjured by compression force and relieve the patient from the pain and uncomfortableness.
However, the metal rod member used in the fusion surgery cannot be elastically bent and tensioned. Therefore, the fixedly fused vertebras are prevented from swinging or bending again. Under such circumstance, the two normal intervertebral discs on upper and lower sides of the fusion surgery range must bear all the action force applied to the spine when the patient moves.
In order to improve the above problem, U.S. Pat. No. 8,080,038 discloses a double-layer spring rod, which is fixed between multiple vertebras to release the lesion vertebra and relieve the patient from the pain. Moreover, the double-layer spring rod is tensile and bendable so that the vertebras of the spine can swing or bend along with the movement of the patient in the moving direction. However, when the patient jumps or runs, an abrupt upward and downward action force will be applied to the double-layer spring rod to axially compress the same. As a result, the lesion vertebra is likely to be compressed again to make the patient feel painful. In addition, as shown in
To solve the above problem, U.S. Publication No. US2007/0049937 A1 [application Ser. No. 11/509,544] discloses a rod-shaped implant element 1. As shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,329,258 discloses another spine stabilization device in which the first sprint member 2 is made of a solid bar by means of mechanical processing and cutting as in U.S. Patent No. US2007/0049937 A1. Similarly, the first sprint member 2 needs to be mechanically processed many times. This also complicates the manufacturing process and leads to increase of cost and needs to be improved.
In U.S. Publication No. US2007/0049937 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,329,258, the rod-shaped implant element 1 or the first sprint member 2 are formed with spiral groove by means of a cutter. The spiral groove has a certain width so that the rod-shaped implant element 1 or the first sprint member 2 is axially compressible. This is unsuitable for a patient with injured spine due to compression. Neither of the above two patents is able to effectively resist against axial action force. That is, neither of the above two patents can effectively support the injured spine. This needs to be improved.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, which is securely fixable on one side of a spine by multiple pedicle screws. The spine stabilization device includes: a coil spring member made of a spiral spring wire having multiple continuous loops, the coil spring member having the form of an elongated bar; two connection members, each connection member having a connection section, the connection sections being securely connected with two ends of the coil spring member, opposite end faces of the two connection members being respectively formed with two axially extending sockets; and at least one elastic bar disposed in the coil spring member and axially extending through the coil spring member with two ends of the elastic bar respectively extending into the sockets of the connection members. Even if the coil spring member is axially tensioned to a maximum allowable length or bent to a maximum curvature, the two ends of the elastic bar are still positioned in the sockets of the connection members. The coil spring member is made of a spiral spring wire. Therefore, two ends of the coil spring member are naturally formed with threads, which can be directly screwed on the corresponding spiral grooves of the connection members. Alternatively, the threads can be elastically engaged with the annular grooves of the connection members. According to the above arrangement, after the coil spring member is formed, the coil spring member can be securely connected with the connection members without being further mechanically processed. This facilitates the manufacturing process to lower the manufacturing cost.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, it is impossible to pull and multistage deflect the elastic bar axially extending through the coil spring member. Therefore, the coil spring member is prevented from being greatly displaced under radial action force.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, the pedicle screw has a base seat and a screw shank protruding from a bottom of the base seat for screwing into the spine. The base seat is formed with a chuck. At least one rib is formed on the chuck for engaging between two adjacent loops of the coil spring member. A plug is locked in the chuck to tightly hold the coil spring member between the chuck and the plug. The pedicle screw is not included in the scope of the present invention. Any other conventional pedicle screw is also applicable to the present invention without limitation.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, the pitch between the adjacent loops of the coil spring member is equal, unequal, or nearly zero. That is, the compressible distance of the coil spring member is near zero. In this case, the lesion vertebras can be effectively supported and released. Moreover, the injured vertebras or intervertebral discs of the spine are protected from being reinjured due to over-compression.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, the connection member connected with the end of the coil spring member has a connection section. A rod body axially extends from one end of the connection section. The rod body is locked and connected with a pedicle screw. An end face of the connection section is axially recessed to form at least one socket. The rod body of the connection member is formed with a shaft hole for locking on a fixing shaft. Accordingly, the angle contained between the connection member and the coil spring member is adjustable in accordance with the requirement of installation of the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device on the cervical vertebras and the occipital.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, the connection member has a rod body. A connection section axially protrudes from each of two ends of the rod body for connecting with the end of the coil spring member. The end face of the connection section is axially recessed to form at least one socket. One end of the elastic bar is fitted in the socket. The sockets of the connection sections at two ends of the rod body can communicate with each other. In this case, the elastic bar can pass through the connection members and axially pass through multiple coil spring members. In application, the pedicle screw is locked on the rod body between the two connection sections of the connection member so as to securely fix the coil spring member on one side of the spine.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, the connection section of the connection member is formed with spiral groove in adaptation to the spiral angle of the coil spring member. Accordingly, the connection member can be snugly locked on the end of the coil spring member. Alternatively, the connection section of the connection member is formed with an annular groove. The loops of the coil spring member are partially elastically latched in the annular groove.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, the connection member is made of metal material, alloy material, plastic material or complex material. The material of the connection member is not limited.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, the elastic bar is made of metal, carbon fiber, plastic or complex material such as PEEK. The material of the elastic bar is not limited. The elastic bar can be straight, curved or angled to meet the curve of human spine.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, the outer ends of the connection members are formed with drive sections for a wrench or a screwdriver to drive. Accordingly, a wrench or a screwdriver can be used to drive the connection member to make the connection section tightly screwed in the end of the coil spring member.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, the coil spring member is enclosed in a plastic or rubber sleeve to prevent growing human muscle tissue from infiltrating into the coil spring member of the spine stabilization device.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, the opposite sides of the adjacent loops of the spiral spring wire are formed with raised section and recessed section engageable with each other. Accordingly, the adjacent loops of the coil spring member are stacked with the raised sections and the recessed sections engaged with each other so as to avoid radial displacement of the adjacent loops.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, the coil spring member is composed of one single layer of continuous loops or multiple layers of continuous loops.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, two ends of the elastic bar are movably fitted in the sockets of the two connection members. Alternatively, one end of the elastic bar is fixed in the socket of one connection member, while the other end of the elastic bar is movably fitted in the socket of the other connection member.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, in application, the pedicle screw can be directly locked on any section of the coil spring member. The coil spring member is composed of multiple continuous loops and can be flexibly bent, tensioned and twisted. Also, the elastic bar axially extending through the coil spring member is elastically bendable along with the movement of the spine. Therefore, when the spine of a patient equipped with the present invention moves, the coil spring member of the present invention can swing or stretch along with the movement of the vertebras of the spine to simulate the movement of a normal spine tissue. This can relieve the patient from uncomfortableness.
In the above anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device, the coil spring member is formed of a spiral spring wire. After formed, the multiple loops of two ends of the coil spring member will naturally define threaded holes or form outer threads, which can be snugly screwed on the corresponding spiral grooves of the connection members. Alternatively, the loops can be directly elastically engaged with the annular grooves of the connection members. Therefore, the installation of the spine stabilization device is facilitated. Moreover, after the coil spring member is formed, the coil spring member can be securely connected with the connection members without being further mechanically processed many times (such as cutting with the spiral groove, milling or tapping). This facilitates the manufacturing process to greatly lower the manufacturing cost of the present invention. Apparently, the present invention is advantageous over U.S. Publication No. US2007/0049937 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,329,258.
The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:
Please refer to
The coil spring member 10 of the spine stabilization device is made of a spiral spring wire having multiple continuous loops. The coil spring member 10 has the form of an elongated bar. Each connection member 20 has a connection section 21. The connection sections 21 are securely connected with two ends 10a, 10b of the coil spring member 10. The opposite end faces of the two connection members 20 are respectively formed with two axially extending sockets 23. The elastic bar 30 axially extends through the coil spring member 10 with two ends 30a, 30b of the elastic bar 30 respectively extending into the sockets 23 of the connection members 20. Even if the coil spring member 10 is axially tensioned to a maximum allowable length or bent to a maximum curvature as shown by the phantom lines of
Moreover, in the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device of the present invention, it is impossible to pull and multistage deflect the elastic bar 30 axially extending through the coil spring member 10. Therefore, the coil spring member 10 is prevented from being greatly displaced under radial action force. Also, the spiral loops of the coil spring member 10 are in tight contact with each other so that the coil spring member 10 cannot be compressed. In this case, the coil spring member 10 is able to resist against the axial compression force applied by the spine. Accordingly, the lesion vertebras can be effectively supported and released.
In application of the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device of the present invention, the coil spring member 10 and the elastic bar 30 can be cut to a necessary length according to the requirement of use. After cut, the coil spring member 10 and the elastic bar 30 are installed and bridged over multiple vertebras 51 to protect the injured vertebras and intervertebral discs 52 of the spine 50. Accordingly, the present invention is flexibly adjustable in accordance with different spine structures of different patients to meet the requirements of the patients.
Referring to
In the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device of the present invention, the pitch between the adjacent loops of the coil spring member 10 is equal, unequal, or nearly zero. That is, when the spine 50 bears an axial action force, the compressible distance is near zero. In this case, the lesion vertebras can be effectively supported and released. Moreover, the injured vertebras 51 or intervertebral discs 52 of the spine 50 are protected from being reinjured due to over-compression.
In the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device of the present invention, the spring wire forming the coil spring member 10 can have a circular cross section, a rectangular cross section or a cross section of any other shape. Alternatively, as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The connection member 20 can be made of metal material, alloy material, plastic material or complex material. The material of the connection member 20 is not limited.
In the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device of the present invention, the elastic bar 30 can be made of metal, carbon fiber, plastic or complex material such as PEEK. The material of the elastic bar 30 is not limited. The elastic bar 30 can be straight, curved or angled to meet the curve of human spine.
In the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device of the present invention, the coil spring member 10 can be enclosed in a plastic or rubber sleeve 11 (as shown in
In the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device of the present invention, the coil spring member 10 is, but not limited to, composed of multiple layers of continuous loops as shown in
In the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device of the present invention, two ends of the elastic bar 30 are movably fitted in the sockets 23 of the two connection members 20. Alternatively, one end of the elastic bar 30 is fixed in the socket 23 of one connection member 20, while the other end of the elastic bar 30 is movably fitted in the socket 23 of the other connection member 20.
In the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device of the present invention, multiple elastic bars 30 can be fitted between two connection members 20. The number of the elastic bars 30 is not limited.
Referring to
As aforesaid, the coil spring member 10 of the present invention is composed of multiple continuous loops. Both the tensility and bendability of the coil spring member 10 are much better than that of a bar body cut with spiral grooves. With the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device of the present invention, when a patient moves, the force will be transmitted to all the loops of the entire coil spring member 10 and the elastic bar 30. The coil spring member 10 will swing or stretch along with the vertebras 51 of the spine 50 to distribute the action force. Under such circumstance, the action force is prevented from concentrating on the vertebras that are not connected with the spine stabilization device. Accordingly, the healthy vertebras are protected from being injured due to over-forcing or over-use. Therefore, the injury caused by use of medical implements can be effectively lowered.
In the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device of the present invention, the coil spring member 10 is formed of a spiral spring wire and the loops of the coil spring member 10 are in tight contact with each other. Therefore, it is nearly impossible to axially compress the coil spring member 10. In this case, the lesion vertebras can be effectively supported and released and thus the injured vertebras 51 or intervertebral discs 52 of the spine 50 are protected from being reinjured by axial compression force.
In the anti-displacement coil spring-type spine stabilization device of the present invention, the coil spring member 10 is formed of a spiral spring wire. After formed, the multiple loops of two ends of the coil spring member 10 will naturally define threaded holes or form outer threads, which can be snugly screwed on the corresponding spiral grooves 221 of the connection members 20. Alternatively, the loops can be directly elastically engaged with the annular grooves 212 of the connection members 20. According to the above arrangement, after the coil spring member 10 is formed, the coil spring member 10 can be securely connected with the connection members 20 without being further mechanically processed many times (such as cutting with the spiral groove, milling or tapping). This facilitates the manufacturing process to greatly lower the manufacturing cost of the present invention. Apparently, the present invention is advantageous over U.S. Publication No. US2007/0049937 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,329,258.
The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102200771 | Jan 2013 | TW | national |
