PEDICLE AND NON-PEDICLE BASED INTERSPINOUS AND LATERAL SPACERS

Abstract

Pedicle and non-pedicle based interspinous and lateral spacers have an upper surface configured for engagement with an inferior surface of a fifth lumbar vertebral body, and a lower surface configured for engagement with an outer surface of a sacrum. One configuration includes a component having two opposing upper arms and two opposing lower arms. The spacer component has two ends and a central section, each end of the spacer component being configured for attachment to a respective one of the two opposing upper arms, and the central section of the spacer has a height configured for placement between a spinous process of a fifth lumbar vertebral body and a superior surface of an uppermost spinous process of a sacrum. The ends of the spacer component may be attached to the upper arms using pedicle screws, or may use snap-and-lock or other connectors. The two lower arms may either engage directly with the outer surface of a sacrum on either side of a medial ridge, or may interconnect with a separate component also having two lower arms that engage with the outer surface of a sacrum on either side of a medial ridge. Such arms are preferably bent outwardly and include inward serrations to engage with the outer surface of a sacrum on either side of a medial ridge. Other configurations include a spacer component that engages with a sacral notch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a posterior view of an interspinous spacer according to the invention;

FIG. 1B is a drawing of a preferred interspinous insert;

FIG. 1C is a side view of the insert of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 1D is a side view of an alternative insert utilizing snap/lock interconnects;

FIG. 2A is a drawing of an alternative spacer that facilitates stacking;

FIG. 2B is a lateral view of the arrangement of FIG. 2A, showing sacral engagement features;

FIG. 3A is the posterior view of an alternative interspinous spacer according to the invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view showing the way in which a lower sacral portion is bent for enhanced anatomical engagement;

FIG. 3C is a posterior view drawing showing how the arms of FIG. 3A may be hinged through interlocking;

FIG. 4A is a drawing showing a sacral notch sling according to the invention;

FIG. 4B is side view of the device of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a detailed view showing the way in which the device of FIG. 4A cooperates with a sacral notch;

FIG. 5A is a posterior view of a pedicle-based lateral spacer according to the invention;

FIG. 5B is a detailed drawing showing the way in which the spacer of FIG. 5A cooperates with a sacral notch and the inferior surface of a transverse process;

FIG. 6A is a posterior view of lateral spacers that do not require fasteners such as pedicle screws; and

FIG. 6B is a detailed drawing showing the way in which the lateral spacers of FIG. 6A cooperate with a sacral notch and the inferior surface of a transverse process.

Claims

1. A spinal stabilization system, comprising: a spacer component, including:an upper surface configured for engagement with an inferior surface of a fifth lumbar vertebral body; anda lower surface configured for engagement with an outer surface of a sacrum.

2. The spinal stabilization system of claim 1, further comprising: a component having two opposing upper arms and two opposing lower arms; and wherein:the spacer component has two ends and a central section, each end of the spacer component being configured for attachment to a respective one of the two opposing upper arms; andthe central section of the spacer has a height configured for placement between a spinous process of a fifth lumbar vertebral body and a superior surface of an uppermost spinous process of a sacrum.

3. The spinal stabilization system of claim 2, wherein the ends of the spacer component are attached to the upper arms using pedicle screws.

4. The spinal stabilization system of claim 2, wherein the ends of the spacer component are attached to the upper arms using snap and lock connectors.

5. The spinal stabilization system of claim 1, wherein: the spacer component includes two lower arms that engage with a separate component also having two lower arms that engage with the outer surface of a sacrum on either side of a medial ridge.

6. The spinal stabilization system of claim 5, wherein the lower arms of the separate component are bent outwardly and include inward serrations to engage with the outer surface of a sacrum on either side of a medial ridge.

7. The spinal stabilization system of claim 1, including: two spacer components, one on each end of a horizontal bar; andwherein each spacer component includes a lower, concave end configured for engagement with a sacral notch.

8. The spinal stabilization system of claim 7, further including a pair of downwardly extending elements, each being bent outwardly to engage with the outer surface of a sacrum on either side of a medial ridge.

9. The spinal stabilization system of claim 1, wherein the spacer component includes an upper concave surface configured to engage with the inferior surface of a transverse process and a lower concave surface configured to engage with a sacral notch.

10. The spinal stabilization system of claim 1, wherein: the spacer component includes an upper concave surface configured to engage with the inferior surface of a transverse process and a lower concave surface configured to engage with a sacral notch; anda link member connecting the spacer component to a pedicle using a pedicle screw.