The present application relates to surgical methods and apparatuses for stabilizing bone, and more particularly to the flexible fastening band connectors and a method of using the flexible fastening band connectors.
Traumatic, inflammatory, and degenerative disorders of the spine can lead to severe pain and loss of mobility. One source of back and spine pain is related to degeneration of the spine or arthritis. Bony contact or grinding of degenerated surfaces can play a role in some pain syndromes. Many technological advances have focused on the intervertebral disc and artificial replacement or repair of the intervertebral disc.
The current standard of care to address the degenerative problems is to fuse the two adjacent vertebrae. By performing this surgical procedure, the relative motion between the two adjacent vertebrae is stopped, thus stopping motion of the vertebra and any potential pain generated as a result thereof. Procedures to fuse two adjacent vertebrae often involve fixation and/or stabilization of the two adjacent vertebrae until the two adjacent vertebrae fuse.
Injuries and/or surgical procedure on and/or effecting other bones can also result in the desire to fixate and/or stabilize a bone until the bone, or bone portions, can fuse, for example, to stabilize a sternum after heart surgery, to stabilize a rib after a break, etc. Current procedures to fixate and/or stabilize adjacent vertebrae and/or other bones, however, can be slow and/or complex.
Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus and methods to better stabilize and/or fixate a bone.
All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the described embodiments are described with reference to drawings of certain preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit. It is to be understood that the attached drawings are for the purpose of illustrating concepts of the described embodiments and may not be to scale.
As used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “a ratchet” is intended to mean a single ratchet or a combination of ratchets. As used in this specification, a substance can include any biologic and/or chemical substance, including, but not limited to, medicine, adhesives, etc. While exemplary references are made with respect to vertebra, in some embodiments another bone can be involved. While specific reference may be made to a specific vertebra and/or subset and/or grouping of vertebrae, it is understood that any vertebra and/or subset and/or grouping, or combination of vertebrae can be used. As will be described herein, various embodiments will be described as “substantially” matching, parallel, coplanar and/or perpendicular. In such embodiments, “substantially” can mean within plus or minus a few percent (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, etc.) from the given shape or orientation, in other embodiments, within plus or minus 10 degrees from the given orientation, and in other embodiments, within plus or minus 5 degrees from the given orientation.
As shown in
The orientation of the facet joints vary, depending on the level of the vertebral column. In the C1 and C2 vertebrae, for example the facet joints are parallel to the transverse plane.
In addition to guiding movement of the vertebrae, the facet joints also contribute to the load-bearing ability of the vertebral column. One study by King et al. Mechanism of Spinal Injury Due to Caudocephalad Acceleration, Orthop. Clin. North Am., 6:19 1975, found facet joint load-bearing as high as 30% in some positions of the vertebral column. The facet joints may also play a role in resisting shear stresses between the vertebrae. Over time, these forces acting on the facet joints can cause degeneration and arthritis.
In some embodiments described herein, a flexible fastening band can be used to stabilize and/or fixate a first vertebra to a second vertebra to reduce the pain, to reduce further degradation of a spine, or of a specific vertebra of a spine, and/or until the first vertebra and the second vertebra have fused. Specifically, the band 140 can be coupled to a first bone portion and secured to one or more spinal devices, as described herein. In some embodiments, the band 140 can be extended around a bone portion. In some embodiments, the band 140 can be passed through a lumen formed through adjacent vertebra. The flexible fastening band is configured to form a loop either through one or more adjacent bone portions or around one or more bone portions.
The proximal end portion 142 is sized to pass through a fastening mechanism 150 of the distal end portion 148 to form a loop. In some embodiments, the proximal end portion 142 can be shaped to increase the ease of inserting the proximal end portion 142 into the fastening mechanism 150, e.g., the proximal end portion 142 can be tapered, rounded, and/or angled, etc., to reduce at least a portion of a cross-sectional area of the proximal end portion 142.
The first portion 144 can extend for a length between the proximal end portion 142 and the second portion 146, and can have a substantially uniform shape. The first portion 144 can have, for example, a substantially cuboidal shape, or a substantially cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the length of the first portion 144 can be more than twice the length of the second portion 146. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the first portion 144 can be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second portion 146. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the first portion 144 can be less than a cross-sectional area of a lumen defined by the fastening mechanism 150. The first portion 144 can include a gear rack (not shown in
The second portion 146 can have a length between the first portion 144 and the distal end portion 148, and can include a substantially uniform shape. In embodiments including the third portion, the second portion 146 can have a length between the first portion 144 and the third portion. The second portion 146 can have, for example, a substantially cuboidal shape or a substantially cylindrical shape. The first portion 144 and the second portion 146 can have the same or different shapes, e.g., the first portion 144 and the second portion 146 can both be substantially cuboidal, the first portion 144 and the second portion 146 can both be substantially cylindrical, the first portion 144 can be substantially cuboidal while the second portion 146 can be substantially cylindrical, or the first portion 144 can be substantially cylindrical while the second portion 146 can be substantially cuboidal. In some embodiments, the length of the second portion 146 can be less than half the length of the first portion 144. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the second portion 146 can be greater than the cross-sectional area of the first portion 144. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the second portion 146 can be greater than a cross-sectional area of a lumen defined by the fastening mechanism 150. In this manner, as a portion of the band 140 is advanced through the fastening mechanism 150, the cross-sectional area of the second portion 146 can prevent the band 140 from advancing beyond the first portion 144. The second portion 146 can include a gear rack (not shown in
The distal end portion 148 includes the fastening mechanism 150 configured to accept at least the portion of proximal end portion 142, the first portion 144, and/or the second portion 146. In some embodiments, the distal end portion 148, the second portion 146, the first portion 144, and the proximal end portion 142 can be monolithically formed. The fastening mechanism 150 includes a lumen (not shown in
In some embodiments, at least one of the distal end portion 148, the second portion 146, the first portion 144, and the proximal end portion 142 can be formed separately from the other(s) of the distal end portion 148, the second portion 146, the first portion 144, and the proximal end portion 142. Said another way, and by way of example, the distal end portion 148, the first portion 144, and the proximal end portion 142 can be monolithically formed together, while the second portion 146 can be separately formed. In this manner, the band 140 can include an initial second portion 146 configured to be replaced and/or covered with a replacement second portion 146. By way of a first example, the initial second portion 146 can be monolithically formed with the first portion 144 and the replacement second portion 146 can be slidably disposed over the initial second portion 146. By way of a second example, the initial second portion 146 can be separately formed from the first portion 144, can be removed from the band 140, and the replacement second portion 146 can be slidably disposed over the first portion 144. By way of a third example, the initial second portion 146 can be separately or monolithically formed from the first portion 144, and the replacement second portion 146 can be slidably disposed over the first portion 144 and the initial second portion 146. In some embodiments, the initial second portion 146 and the replacement second portion 146 can have the same shape, e.g., the initial second portion 146 can include a substantially cylindrical shape and the replacement second portion 146 can include a substantially cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the initial second portion 146 and the replacement second portion 146 can have different shapes, e.g., the initial second portion 146 can include a substantially cuboidal shape and the replacement second portion 146 can include a substantially cylindrical shape.
In some embodiments, the shape of first portion 144 and the shape of second portion 146 can be determined based on the shape of an artificial lumen formed through an articular process of a vertebra. By way of example, if the shape of the artificial lumen is cuboidal, the shape of the first portion 144 and the shape of the second portion 146 can be cuboidal to allow the first portion 144 and the second portion 146 to slidably advance through the artificial lumen. By way of a second example, if the shape of the artificial lumen is cylindrical, the shape of the first portion 144 and the shape of the second portion 146 can be either cuboidal or cylindrical. Continuing with the second example, the shape of the first portion 144 can be cuboidal to allow the first portion 144 to advance easily through the artificial lumen, while the shape of the second portion 146 can be cylindrical to allow the second portion 146 to fit more tightly within the artificial lumen as compared to a cuboidal shape.
In some embodiments, the shape of the first portion 144 and the shape of the second portion 146 can be determined based on characteristics of the bone or bone portion against which the first portion 144 and the second portion 146 may contact. By way of example, while the first portion 144 and/or the second portion 146 can be substantially cuboidal, the edges of the first portion 144 and/or the second portion 146 can be rounded, partially rounded, and/or otherwise shaped to compliment the shape of a bone or bone portion, and/or to reduce digging or grinding into the bone or bone portion. In this manner, use of the band 140 may cause little or no damage to the bone or bone portions contacted by the band 140.
In some embodiments, the band 140 can include a third portion (not shown in
While each of the first portion 144, the second portion 146, and the third portion can be a substantially uniform shape, in some embodiments any one of the first portion 144, the second portion 146, and the third portion can include a transition portion to transition the band 140 from a first substantially uniform shape to a second substantially uniform shape. By way of example, in some embodiments, the first portion 144 and the third portion can be substantially cuboidal and the second portion 146 can be substantially cylindrical. In this example, the second portion 146 can include an angled, conical, or other shaped transition portion.
A band according to this embodiment may be particularly useful in deployments where a single band in used to stabilize adjacent vertebrae. In this manner, the second portion 446 can be disposed within the lumen of a first bone portion (e.g., the first articular process of the first vertebra) and a portion of the first portion 444 can be disposed within the lumen of the first bone portion or a second bone portion (e.g., the second articular process of the second vertebra). In these embodiments the portion of the band within the first articular process of the first vertebra and the portion of the band within in the second articular process of the second vertebra can both have substantially the same shape as the lumen in the first articular process of the first vertebra and the lumen in the second articular process of the second vertebra.
The reinforcement piece 1072 can include any of the materials described above for the band 140. In some embodiments, the reinforcement piece 1072 can include a material stronger than the second portion 1046 and/or the first portion 1044, for example, the first portion 1044 and the second portion 1046 can include PEEK and the reinforcement piece 1072 can include titanium. As shown in
The reinforcement piece 1072 can be molded within the band 1040. Said another way, in embodiments where the first portion, the second portion, and/or the distal end portion are moldable materials, the reinforcement piece 1072 can be placed in the mold and the moldable materials can be injected or otherwise put in the mold around the reinforcement piece. In other embodiments, each portion of the band (for example, the proximal end portion, the first portion, the second portion, the third portion, and/or the distal end portion) around the reinforcement piece can have a top half and a bottom half, and each of the top half and the bottom half can be placed around the reinforcement piece, and sealed. As shown in
As shown in
Each gear 1364 included in the gear rack 1347 includes a cross sectional area that is rectangular in shape. Said another way, each gear 1364 can be a rectangular protrusion configured to extend from a surface of the band 1340 (e.g., the first portion 1344 and/or the second portion 1346). The gear rack 1347 is configured to engage the ratchet 1362 of the fastener mechanism 1350, as further described herein. The fastener mechanism 1350 defines a lumen 1366. The lumen 1366 can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, the proximal end portion 1342 can be advanced through the lumen 1366 a sufficient distance such that a portion of the first portion 1344 and/or the second portion 1346 is disposed within the lumen 1366. In such embodiments, a portion of the gear rack 1347 disposed on (e.g., included in or defined by) the first portion 1344 and/or the second portion 1346 can engage the ratchet 1362. In this manner, the arrangement of the ratchet 1362 and the gear rack 1347 can be such that the proximal end portion 1342 can be moved in the first direction, thereby tightening the band 1340, and the proximal end portion 1342 can be prevented from moving in a second direction, opposite the first direction, thereby preventing the band 1340 from loosening.
As shown in
The flexible fastening band can have alternative configurations than those illustrated above. Examples of alternative flexible fastening bands are shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/804,407; filed Mar. 14, 2013, and titled “Apparatus for Spinal and Methods of Use,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Connector
In some embodiments described herein, a connector can be used to couple a flexible fastening band to another spinal device, such as a spinal rod.
The connector 300 can include an elongate body including a first portion 312 for engaging a fixation device and a second portion 318 for engaging a flexible fastening band. In some embodiments, the first portion 312 and the second portion 318 are on opposite ends of the connector 300. In some embodiments, the first portion 312 and the second portion 318 are on the same end (e.g., both on the proximal end) of the connector 300. In some embodiments, the first portion 312 is near a proximal end of the connector 300. In some embodiments, the first portion 312 is near the middle of the connector 300 (not shown). In some embodiments, the first portion 312 is near a distal end of the connector 300 (not shown). In some embodiments, the second portion 318 is near a proximal end of the connector 300. In some embodiments, the second portion 318 is near the middle of the connector 300 (not shown). In some embodiments, the second portion 318 is near the distal end of the connector 300 (not shown). The connector 300 can be coupled to the band 140 (or any band described herein) and/or a spinal device, such a support system with a spinal rod. As will be described in more detail herein, the connector 300 can be monolithically formed or formed from a plurality of parts. The connector 300 can include any biocompatible material, e.g., stainless steel, titanium, PEEK, nylon, etc.
In some embodiments, the connector 300 can be coupled to the band 140 and a spinal fixation device or portion thereof such as a spinal rod 240. The spinal rod 240 can be received within an opening 322 of the first portion 312. The opening 322 can be formed in part by a lip portion 316. In the illustrated embodiment, the lip portion 316 forming the opening 322 has a curvature 324 which can match the curvature of the spinal rod 240. In other embodiments, the lip portion 316 can be flat, substantially flat, angled, curved, elliptical or any other shape that corresponds to the shape of the spinal rod 240 and/or is otherwise configured to engage the rod and/or spinal fixation device. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 312 forming the opening 322 can have a curvature 326 which matches the curvature of the spinal rod 240 and/or is otherwise configured to engage the rod and/or spinal fixation device. In other embodiments, the first portion 312 can be flat, substantially flat, angled, curved, elliptical or any other shape that corresponds to the shape of the spinal rod 240 and/or is otherwise configured to engage the rod and/or spinal fixation device.
The lip portion 316 can have a dimension (e.g., length along a longitudinal axis 348) equal to or greater than the diameter of the spinal rod 240 to support essentially the entire cross-section of the spinal rod 240. The lip portion 316 can have a dimension (e.g., length) less than the diameter of the spinal rod 240 (e.g., greater than 50% of the diameter, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 100%, between 50-80%, between 60-90%, between 70-100%, etc.). The connector 300 can encompass a portion of the circumference of the spinal rod 240 (e.g., greater than 50% of the circumference, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 100%, between 50-80%, between 60-90%, between 70-100%, etc.). In some embodiments, the connector 300 can encompass the entire circumference of the spinal rod 240. In some embodiments, the lip portion 316 can encompass a portion of the circumference of the spinal rod 240 (e.g., greater than 25%, 30%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 100%, between 50-80%, between 60-90%, between 70-100%, etc.). In some embodiments, the spinal rod 240 slides into the opening 322 from the proximal end of the connector 300 toward the middle of the connector 300. In some embodiments, the spinal rod 240 slides into the opening 322 from the side of the connector 300 toward the middle of the connector 300 (not shown). In some embodiments, the spinal rod 240 is seated adjacent to the lip portion 316. In the illustrated embodiment, the curvature 324 can include a ridge 328. The ridge 328 can prevent the spinal rod 240 from becoming disengaged. In some embodiments, the spinal rod 240 is seated adjacent to the first portion 312.
The first portion 312 can include a threaded bore 330. The threaded bore 330 can receive a locking mechanism (not shown in
In the embodiments of
In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis 242 of the spinal rod 240 (shown in
In some embodiments, a connecting portion 314 can extend for a length between the first portion 312 and the second portion 318. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portion 314 has a curved shape between the first portion 312 and the second portion 318. In some embodiments, the connecting portion 314 has a substantially uniform shape. The connecting portion 314 can have, for example, a substantially cuboidal shape, or a substantially cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the length of connecting portion 314 can be more than twice the length of the first portion 312. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 314 can be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first portion 312 and the lip portion 316. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of connecting portion 314 can be less than a cross-sectional area of the second portion 318. The connecting portion 314 can include one or more engagement features 332 configured to engage a tool (not shown in
The second portion 318 can include a recess 334 sized to accept the distal end portion 148 of the band 140. The recess 334 can have a bottom surface 336 and a side surface 338. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface 336 is flat or substantially flat to match the surface of the distal end portion 148. In other embodiments, the bottom surface 336 can be angled, curved, ribbed or any other shape that corresponds to the surface of the distal end portion 148. In the illustrated embodiment, the side surface 338 is curved to match the shape of the distal end portion 148. In other embodiments, the side surface 338 can be flat angled, ribbed or any other shape that corresponds to the shape of the distal end portion 148. In some embodiments, the side surface 338 can be shaped to increase the ease of inserting the distal end portion 148 into the recess 334, e.g., the side surface 338 can be tapered, rounded, and/or angled, etc., to enlarge at least a portion of a cross-sectional area of the recess 334.
The recess 334 has an opening 342 which causes the side surface 338 to be discontinuous. The opening 342 is sized to receive the first portion 144 and/or the second portion 146 of the band 140. The opening 342 allows the first portion 144 and/or the second portion 146 to extend from the recess 334 when the distal end portion 148 is placed within the recess 334. When viewed from the distal end of the connector 300 (as shown in
The side surface 338 and the opening 342 can create a neck which limits the movement of the distal end portion 148 and the fastener 150 in the recess 334. In the illustrated embodiments, the distal end portion 148 is greater in at least one dimension than the first portion 144 and/or the second portion 146 (e.g., length, width, height). In some embodiments, the distal end portion 148 is greater in all three dimensions than the first portion 144 and/or the second portion 146 (e.g., length, width, height). The distal end portion 148 may not fit through the opening 342 and may abut the side surface 338. The distal end portion 148 abuts bottom surface 336. The configuration of the recess 334 including the neck created by the opening 342 and the side surface 338 can limit the movement of the band 140. The opening 342 and the side surface 338 can match or substantially match the shape of the band 140. In some embodiments, there is minimal excess space in the recess (e.g., the side surface 338 abuts at least one side wall of the distal end portion 148). In some embodiments, the distal end portion 148 can be placed in the recess 334 in only one orientation (e.g., to enable the first portion 144 and/or the second portion 146 to extend outward from the recess). This orientation ensures that the lumen 166 of the fastener 150 aligns with the lumen 344 of the connector 300 to permit the proximal end portion 142 to traverse there through. The configuration of the recess 334 including the neck created by the opening 342 and the side surface 338 can align the lumen 166 of the fastener 144 with the lumen 344 of the connector 300.
In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 334 extends from the top surface of the connector 300 toward the bottom surface of the connector 300. In some embodiments, the recess 334 extends from the bottom surface of the connector 300 toward the top surface of the connector 300. In some embodiments, the recess 334 extends from the left side surface of the connector 300 toward the right side surface of the connector 300 when viewed from the distal end of the connector 300. In some embodiments, the recess 334 extends from the right side surface of the connector 300 toward the left side surface of the connector 300 when viewed from the distal end of the connector 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface of the recess 334 is open allowing the distal end portion 148 to be lowered into the recess. In some embodiments, the recess 334 is enclosed such that the distal end portion 148 is enclosed on at least three sides (e.g., four sides, five sides, six sides, etc.).
In some embodiments, the distal end portion 148 lies below the surface of the connector 300 when the distal end portion 148 is disposed in the recess 334. The side surface of the recess 338 can have a depth equal or greater than the depth of the distal end portion 148. The recess 334 can be sized to be greater than the distal end portion 148 in all three dimensions (e.g., length, width, height). In some embodiments, the distal end portion 148 does not protrude from the connector 300 when the distal end portion 148 is disposed in the recess 334. In some embodiments, the distal end portion 148 lies slightly above the surface of the connector 300 when the distal end portion 148 is disposed in the recess 334. The side surface of the recess 338 has a depth less than the depth of the distal end portion 148. The recess 334 can be sized to be greater than the distal end portion 148 in two dimensions (e.g., length, width) but not all three dimensions (e.g., length, width, height). In some embodiments, the distal end portion 148 protrudes from the connector 300 when the distal end portion 148 is disposed in the recess 334.
The recess 334 has a lumen 344. The lumen 344 is sized to receive the proximal end portion 142 of the band 140. The lumen 344 allows proximal end portion 142 to extend through the fastening mechanism 150 when the distal end portion 148 is placed within the recess 334. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis 354 of the lumen 344 forms an angle with the bottom surface 336. For instance, the longitudinal axis 354 of the lumen 344 can form any angle with the bottom surface 336 (e.g., 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85°, 90°, 95°, 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, 120°, 125°, 130°, 135°, 140°, 145°, 150°, 155°, 160°, 165°, 170°, 175°, 180°, between 10-40°, between 20-50°, between 30-60°, between 40-70°, between 50-80°, between 60-90°, between 70-100°, between 80-110°, between 90-120°, between 100-130°, between 110-140°, between 120-150°, between 130-160°, between 140-170°, between 150-180°, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis 354 of the lumen 344 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular relative to the bottom surface 336. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the lumen 344 forms an angle with the longitudinal axis 348 of the connector 300 (e.g., 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85°, 90°, 95°, 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, 120°, 125°, 130°, 135°, 140°, 145°, 150°, 155°, 160°, 165°, 170°, 175°, 180°, between 10-40°, between 20-50°, between 30-60°, between 40-70°, between 50-80°, between 60-90°, between 70-100°, between 80-110°, between 90-120°, between 100-130°, between 110-140°, between 120-150°, between 130-160°, between 140-170°, between 150-180°, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis 354 of the lumen 344 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis 348 of the connector 300.
In the illustrated embodiment, the lumen 344 extends from the bottom surface of the connector 300 toward the bottom surface 336 of the recess 334. In some embodiments, the lumen 344 extends from any exterior surface of the connector 300 toward the bottom surface 336 of the recess 334. In some embodiments, the lumen 344 extends from any exterior surface of the connector 300 toward any interior surface. In some embodiments, the lumen 344 extends from any exterior surface of the connector 300 toward any other exterior surface of the connector 300.
In some embodiments, the recess 334 is formed on a first side of the connector 300 and the lumen 344 formed on a second side of the connector 300. The lumen 344 can extend to the recess 334. In some embodiments, the first side of the connector 300 and the second side of the connector 300 are opposed parallel sides of the connector 300. In
The lumen 344 can serve as a guide for the proximal end portion 142 of the band 140. The lumen 344 can be substantially the same shape as the proximal end portion 142. In some embodiments, the lumen 344 can be substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the proximal end portion 142. When the diameter of the lumen 344 is substantially the same diameter as the proximal end portion 142, the amount of open space within the lumen 344 can be minimized, the amount of surface area of the proximal end portion 142 of the band 140 in contact with the lumen 344 can increase, and the misalignment of the band 140 can be reduced or minimized. Furthermore, when misalignment of the band 140 does occur, forces acting against the band 140 can be more equally distributed throughout the proximal end portion 142, due at least to the increased surface area of the band 140 in contact with the lumen 344.
The proximal end portion 142 can be passed through the lumen 344. The proximal end portion 142 then can pass through the fastening mechanism 150 of the distal end portion 148 received within the recess 334. In some embodiments, the proximal end portion 142 can be shaped to increase the ease of inserting the proximal end portion 142 into the lumen 344, e.g., the proximal end portion 142 can be tapered, rounded, and/or angled, etc., to reduce at least a portion of a cross-sectional area of the proximal end portion 142. In some embodiments, edges of the lumen 344 can be shaped to increase the ease of inserting the proximal end portion 142 into the lumen 344, e.g., the edges of lumen 344 can be tapered, rounded, and/or angled, etc., to enlarge at least a portion of a cross-sectional area of the lumen 344.
In some embodiments, the bands disclosed herein have gear rack with gears. One embodiment is shown in
In some embodiments, the connector 300 has more than one recess 334 for receiving the distal end portions 148 of multiple bands 140. The recesses 334 can be in the same orientation or can be oriented in different directions. For example, the connector can have two recesses 334 that are both oriented with the openings 342 facing toward the distal end of the connector 300. In another example, when viewed from the distal end of the connector 300 (as shown in
In some uses, the spinal rod 240 is a cylindrically or substantially cylindrical elongate member. For instance, the cross-sectional of the spinal rod 240 can be any appropriate shape, including but not limited to circular, oval, elliptical, rectangular, square, triangular, and polygonal. In some uses, the spinal rod 240 is a plate or plate like.
The spinal rod 240 can be part of a larger support member 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the support member 120 can include pedicle screws, as described herein. The support member can be any apparatus configured to be coupled to one or more bone portions. Examples of alternative support members are shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/804,521; filed Mar. 14, 2013, and titled “Apparatus for Bone Stabilization and Distraction and Methods of Use,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In some methods of use, the band 140 can be placed into a suitable position.
The first portion 144 and/or the second portion 146 can encircle one or more bone portions. For example, in some embodiments, the band 140 can be disposed about a transverse process of a vertebra, as shown in
Once positioned relative to the bone, the band 140 can be secured. The proximal end portion 142 can be positioned within the lumen 344 of the connector 300. The connector 300 guides the proximal end portion 142 in the correct orientation relative to the distal end portion 148. In some embodiments, the proximal end portion 142 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the distal end portion 148 during insertion of the proximal end portion 142 in the fastening mechanism 150. The proximal end portion 142 can extend through the lumen 166 of the fastener mechanism 150 such that the band 140 forms a loop of suitable tightness about the third bone portion.
The band 140 can be tightened by passing the proximal end portion 142 into the distal end portion 148 and advancing the proximal end portion 142 through the lumen of the fastener member 150 such that the first portion 144 and/or second portion 146 substantially encircles a portion of the vertebra, for instance the transverse process shown in
In some methods, a spinal rod 240 of a support member 120 can be fixed to one or more bone portions. In the illustrated embodiment, the support member 120 is coupled to the pedicles of a first vertebra and a second vertebra. In some embodiments, the support member 120 is coupled to the other portions of the spine (e.g., lamina, transverse processes, spinous processes, facets, vertebral body, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the support member 120 comprises one or more fasteners 122. In some embodiments, the fasteners 122 are pedicle screws. The fasteners 122 may be polyaxial screws. The fasteners 122 can be coupled to u-shaped yokes 124. The yokes 124 can include a slot sized to accept spinal rod 240. The yokes 124 can be threaded to receive a locking mechanism 126. The locking mechanism 126 applies a force to the spinal rod 240 to seat the spinal rod 240 within the yoke 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism 126 is a set screw, but other locking mechanisms are contemplated.
In some methods, fixing the support member 120 to a bone portion can include advancing a pedicle screw 122 through the yoke 124 and into a first bone portion. For instance, a first pedicle screw 122 can be advanced through a yoke 124 and into a pedicle of a first vertebra. A locking mechanism 126 can be advanced through a yoke 124 to secure the spinal rod 240. A second pedicle screw 122 can be advanced through a yoke 124 and into a pedicle of a second vertebra. The spinal rod 240 can be placed within the yokes 124. A locking mechanism 126 can be advanced through a yoke 124 to secure the spinal rod 240.
The first yoke 124 and the second yoke 124 can be spaced apart to define a distraction distance between the first bone portion and the second bone portion to define a corresponding distraction distance between a first vertebra and a second vertebra. In this manner, the distance between the first yoke 124 and the second yoke 124, e.g., the distance between the first bone portion and the second bone portion, can be increased (or decreased) to increase (or decrease) the distraction between the first vertebra and the second vertebra. The locking mechanism 126 can be advanced to apply a force on the spinal rod 240. The locking mechanisms 126 can maintain the distraction of the first vertebra and the second vertebra. In some methods of use, the locking mechanisms 126 are at least partially tightened or fully tightened onto the spinal rod 240 prior to placement of the spinal rod 240 within the opening 322 of the connector 300. In other embodiments, the spinal rod 240 is placed within the opening 322 of the connector 300 prior to tightening the one or more locking mechanisms 126.
The spinal rod 240 can be positioned within the opening 322 of the connector 300. A locking mechanism 244 is inserted into the threaded bore 330. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism 244 is a set screw, but other locking mechanisms are contemplated. Further advancement of the locking mechanism 244 will apply a force to the spinal rod 240 and seat the spinal rod 240 within the connector 300. In some methods of use, the locking mechanism 244 is at least partially tightened or fully tightened prior to placement of the spinal rod 240 within the yokes 124. In some methods of use, locking mechanism 244 is at least partially tightened or fully tightened prior to placement of the band 140 within the recess 334.
The distal end portion 148 of the band 140 can be positioned within the connector 300. The distal end portion 148 can be inserted into the recess 334. The first portion 144 can extend through the opening 342. In some methods of use, the band 140 can be placed into a suitable position. The first portion 144 and/or the second portion 146 can encircle a bone portion. For example, in some embodiments, the band 140 can be disposed about a lamina of a vertebra, as shown in
In some methods of use, the band 140 can be placed into a suitable position.
In some uses, the spinal rod 240 can stabilize the first vertebra to a second vertebra and the band 140 can be inserted into lumen between one or more bone portions (e.g., the superior articular process and the inferior articular process). The method of forming an artificial lumen is shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/033,791; filed Feb. 24, 2011, and titled “Methods and Apparatus for Stabilizing Bone,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/403,698; filed Feb. 23, 2012, and titled “Vertebral Facet Joint Fusion Implant and Method for Fusion,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
In some embodiments, the band can include a spacer (not shown). The spacer can be similar to, and have similar features to the embodiments of the prosthesis shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/859,009; filed Aug. 18, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Application 61/883,911, filed Sep. 27, 2013, and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. As described in the '009 patent, the spacer can be implanted and deployed to restore the space between facets of a superior articular process of a first vertebra and an inferior articular process of an adjacent vertebra. As described herein, the spacer can be implanted and deployed to help stabilize adjacent vertebrae with adhesives, and/or can be implanted and deployed to deliver a medication. For example, in some embodiments, the spacer can be at least temporarily maintained in a desired position via an adhesive while the band 140 is positioned relative to the first vertebra and/or second vertebra. In some embodiments, an adhesive can be used in conjunction with the band 240 to stabilize and/or fixate the first vertebra to the second vertebra. In some embodiments, the band can be used in combination with a plate (not shown). The plate can be similar to, and have similar features to the embodiments of the plates shown and described in and U.S. Provisional Application 61/883,960, filed Sep. 27, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In such embodiments, the spacer can be, for example, substantially disc shaped. In other embodiments, the spacer can be other shapes, e.g., square, elliptical, or any other shape. The spacer can include a first side and a second side. The first side and/or the second side can be, for example, convex, concave, or flat. Said another way, the first side of the spacer can be concave, convex, or flat, and the second side of the spacer can be concave, convex, or flat, for example, the first side can be concave and the second side concave, the first side can be concave and the second side convex, etc. The spacer can include the same materials as band 140. In some embodiments, the spacer can include substances configured to release medication and/or increase the stability of a vertebra and/or band 140. As discussed above, the substances can include a medicine(s) and/or an adhesive(s).
The method of use can include one or more of the following steps in any order: couple a first fastener to a first bone portion; advance a first fastener through a first yoke and into a first bone portion; advance a first locking mechanism into the first yoke to secure a spinal rod to the first yoke; and/or couple a first bone fastener to a spinal rod. The method of use can include one or more of the following steps in any order: couple a second fastener to a second bone portion; advance a second fastener through a second yoke and into a second bone portion; advance a second locking mechanism into the second yoke to secure a spinal rod to the second yoke; and/or couple a second bone fastener to a spinal rod. The method of use can include one or more of the following steps in any order: distract the first bone portion from the second bone portion; fix a distance between the first bone portion and the second bone portion; move the first bone portion relative to the second bone portion; increase the distraction distance between a first bone portion and a second bone portion and/or decrease the distraction distance between a first bone portion and a second bone portion.
The method of use can include one or more of the following steps in any order: insert the spinal rod into a connector; slide a spinal rod from a proximal end toward a distal end of the connector, seat the spinal rod within an opening of the connector; retain the spinal rod within the opening with at least one lip portion; and/or advance a locking mechanism to secure a spinal rod to the connector.
The method of use can include one or more of the following steps in any order: insert a flexible fastening band into the connector; lower the flexible fastening band into a recess of the connector; lower the flexible fastening band from a top surface of the connector toward a bottom surface of the connector; slide the flexible fastening band into a recess of the connector; slide the flexible fastening band from a side surface of the connector toward an opposed side surface of the connector; place the distal end portion of the flexible fastening band within a recess of the connector; and/or abut the distal end portion of the flexible fastening band with a surface of the recess of the connector.
The method of use can include one or more of the following steps in any order: insert the flexible fastening band into a lumen between two bone portions; insert the flexible fastening band into a lumen between articular processes; and/or insert the flexible fastening band across the facet joint. The method of use can include one or more of the following steps in any order: encircle a bone portion with the flexible fastening band, encircle a bone portion of a first vertebra and a bone portion of a second vertebra with the flexible fastening band; encircle a spinous process with the flexible fastening band; encircle a transverse process with the flexible fastening band; and/or encircle a lamina with the flexible fastening band.
The method of use can include one or more of the following steps in any order: insert a flexible fastening band into a lumen of the connector; align the lumen of the connector with the lumen of the fastening mechanism; advance the flexible fastening band through the lumen of the connector; advance the flexible fastening band through the fastening mechanism. The method of use can include one or more of the following steps in any order: insert the gears of the flexible fastening band into a lumen of the connector; align the lumen of the connector with the lumen of the fastening mechanism; advance the gears of the flexible fastening band through the fastening mechanism; advance the gears of the flexible fastening band through the ratchet of the fastening mechanism.
While certain embodiments have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments described herein may be employed. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
Further features of this disclosure are given in the following numbered clauses:
This application is the U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/US2015/050441, filed Sep. 16, 2015, titled FLEXIBLE FASTENING BAND CONNECTOR, which claims priority benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/051,454, filed Sep. 17, 2014, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2015/050441 | 9/16/2015 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2016/044432 | 3/24/2016 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20170281232 A1 | Oct 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62051454 | Sep 2014 | US |