Claims
- 1. A system for stabilizing a portion of a human spine, comprising:
a structural member comprising a first opening; a first connector configured to be positioned in the first opening to couple the structural member to a first spinous process during use; and wherein a portion of the structural member is configured to be positioned adjacent to a first spinous process during use.
- 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises:
a first member comprising a cavity extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the first member, wherein the surface of the cavity comprises threads; and a second member comprising threads on at least a portion of the second member and configured to couple to the first member.
- 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first member comprises a slot along a portion of a length of the first connector configured to allow the second member to be pressed into the first member.
- 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first structural member comprises a flange, and wherein a fastener positioned through an opening in the flange is configured to couple an inferior articular process of a first vertebra to a superior articular process of a second vertebra.
- 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the structural member comprises:
an elongated member configured to engage a first vertebra; a flange configured to be positioned adjacent to an inferior articular process of a first vertebra; a flange opening passing through the flange; and a fastener positionable within the flange opening configured to couple the structural member to the first vertebra and a second vertebrae.
- 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second opening in the structural member, a second connector, and wherein the second connector couples the structural member to a second spinal process during use.
- 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the structural member further comprises a textured surface configured to engage at the first spinous process.
- 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the structural member further comprises spikes wherein at least one spike is configured to penetrate the first spinous process.
- 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the structural member further comprises spikes, and wherein at least some of the spikes are configured to engage an implant.
- 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a first member having a groove and a second member having a ridge, and wherein the ridge fits within the groove to couple the first member to the second connector.
- 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises an indention, wherein a portion of a tool is positioned into the indention of the connector to position the connector through the first opening of the structural member and through the first spinous process to couple the structural member to the spinous process during use.
- 12. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the structural member comprises a length configured to extend from the spinous process to a second spinous process of a vertebra adjacent to the vertebra containing the first spinous process.
- 13. A system for stabilizing a portion of a human spine, comprising:
a first structural member comprising a first opening passing through the first structural member; a second structural member comprising a first opening passing through the second structural member; and a first connector configured to be positioned through the first opening of the first structural member, the first opening of the second structural member and a first spinous process of a first vertebra during use.
- 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first structural member is positioned proximate a first side of the first spinous process and the second structural member is positioned proximate a second side of the first spinous process.
- 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the first connector comprises:
a first member configured to pass through the first opening in the first structural member; a second member configured to pass through the first opening in the second structural member; and wherein the first member couples to the second member such that a portion of the first connector passes through an opening in the first spinous process.
- 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first connector comprises a slot along a portion of a length of the first member configured to allow the second member to be pressed into the first member.
- 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the first structural member comprises a flange, and wherein a fastener positioned through an opening in the flange is configured to couple an inferior articular process of a first vertebra to a superior articular process of a second vertebra.
- 18. The system of claim 13, wherein the first structural member further comprises:
an elongated member having a first portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a spinous process of a second vertebra; a flange configured to be positioned adjacent to an inferior articular process of the first vertebra; an flange opening passing through the flange; and a fastener positionable within the flange opening configured to couple the first structural member to the first vertebra or the second vertebra.
- 19. The system of claim 13, further comprising a second connector configured to couple the first structural member and the second structural member to a second spinous process on a second vertebra during use.
- 20. The system of claim 13, wherein the first structural member further comprises a textured surface configured to engage at least a portion of the first vertebra.
- 21. The system of claim 13, wherein the first structural member further comprises spikes, wherein at least some of the spikes are configured to engage the first spinous process of the first vertebra.
- 22. The system of claim 13, wherein the first structural member further comprises spikes, wherein at least some of the spikes are configured to engage a therapeutically beneficial material.
- 23. The system of claim 13, wherein the opening comprises an arcuate-shaped opening.
- 24. The system of claim 13, wherein the first connector comprises a first member having a first indention and a second member having a second indention, wherein a first portion of a tool is positioned into the first indention to position the first member through the first opening of the first structural member, wherein a second portion of the tool is positioned into the second indention to position the second member through the first opening of the second structural member, and wherein the first member and the second member are coupled to form the first connector, and wherein a portion of the first connector passes through a section of the first spinous process.
- 25. The system of claim 13, wherein a portion of the first structural member comprises a length configured to extend from the first spinous process on the first vertebra to a second spinous process on a second vertebra process during use.
- 26. A system for stabilizing at least a portion of a human spine, comprising:
a first structural member comprising:
a body; a flange; and a flange opening passing through the flange; and a fastener configured to couple the first structural member to a first vertebra of the spine; wherein an end of the fastener is inserted through the flange opening and into a first facet of the first vertebra to couple the first structural member to the first vertebra during use.
- 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the flange opening comprises a combined space of overlapping arcuate-shaped openings.
- 28. The system of claim 26, wherein a width of the flange opening is greater than a portion of the at least one fastener.
- 29. The system of claim 26, wherein a length of the flange opening is greater than a width of the flange opening.
- 30. The system of claim 26, wherein the fastener comprises a head and a shank.
- 31. The system of claim 26, wherein the fastener comprises a head configured to be larger than a portion of the flange opening.
- 32. The system of claim 26, wherein the fastener is configured to be positioned through the flange opening at an oblique angle to a centerline axis of the flange opening during use.
- 33. The system of claim 26, wherein at least a portion of a wall of the opening is arcuate.
- 34. The system of claim 26, wherein at least a portion of a wall of the opening is tapered.
- 35. The system of claim 26, wherein the first structural member is made of a semi-rigid material.
- 36. The system of claim 26, wherein the first structural member is shapeable to conform to adjacent vertebral surfaces during use.
- 37. The system of claim 26, wherein a portion of the first structural member body is configured to be positioned adjacent to a spinous process of the first vertebra during use.
- 38. The system of claim 26, wherein a portion of the first structural member body is configured to extend from a spinous process of the first vertebra to a spinous process of a second vertebra during use.
- 39. The system of claim 26, wherein a portion of the body of the first structural member is configured to be positioned adjacent to a spinous process of a second vertebra during use.
- 40. The system of claim 26, wherein the first structural member further comprises texturing to contact adjacent vertebral surfaces during use.
- 41. The system of claim 40, wherein the texturing is configured to substantially abut adjacent vertebral surfaces and provide a form and friction coupling between the first structural member and the vertebral surfaces.
- 42. The system of claim 26, wherein the first structural member comprises protrusions configured to contact adjacent vertebral surfaces during use.
- 43. The system of claim 42, wherein the protrusions are configured to penetrate adjacent vertebral surfaces to provide a form coupling between the structural member and the vertebral surfaces.
- 44. The system of claim 38, further comprising a first body opening configured to be positioned adjacent to the spinous process of the first vertebra during use and a second body opening configured to be positioned adjacent to the spinous process of the second vertebra during use.
- 45. The system of claim 38, further comprising a second structural member having a length extending from the spinous process of the first vertebra to the spinous process of the second vertebra, wherein the second structural member is positioned adjacent the spinous process of the first vertebra and the spinous process of the second vertebrae opposite the first structural member during use.
- 46. The system of claim 45, further comprising a spacer, wherein the spacer is configured to be positioned between the first structural member and the second structural member.
- 47. The system of claim 46, wherein the spacer further comprises an opening through which a connector is positioned to couple the spacer between the first structural member and the second structural member.
- 48. The system of claim 45, wherein the second structural member comprises a flange and a flange opening passing through the flange, wherein the flange opening is configured to be positioned adjacent to a second facet of the first vertebra during use.
- 49. The system of claim 48, further comprising a second fastener configured to be positioned through the flange opening of the second structural member and into the second facet of the first vertebra to couple the second structural member to the first vertebra during use.
- 50. The system of claim 45, wherein the second structural member further comprises:
a first body opening configured to be positioned adjacent to the spinous process of the first vertebra during use; and a second body opening configured to be positioned adjacent to the spinous process of the second vertebra during use.
- 51. The system of claim 50, further comprising a first connector configured to connect the first and second structural members to the spinous process of the first vertebra during use.
- 52. The system of claim 51, wherein the first connector comprises a first member and a second member.
- 53. The system of claim 52, wherein the second member is dimensioned to be press fit into the first member during use.
- 54. The system of claim 52, wherein a portion of the first member comprises texturing.
- 55. The system of claim 52, wherein the first member further comprises a slot configured to allow elastic expansion and contraction of the first member.
- 56. The system of claim 52, wherein the first member comprises threading on an inner surface, wherein the second member further comprises threading on an outer surface, and wherein the threading on the first member and the threading on the second member are configured to engage.
- 57. The system of claim 52, wherein the first member and the second member are removably connected.
- 58. The system of claim 52, wherein the first member further comprises a ridge along an inner surface of the first member.
- 59. The system of claim 58, wherein the second member comprises a ridge on the end positioned within the first member, the ridge configured to mate with the ridge of the first member and provide an interference coupling between the first member and the second member during use.
- 60. The system of claim 52, wherein the head of the first member comprises an indention, and wherein the head of the second member comprises an indention.
- 61. The system of claim 60, wherein a first portion of a tool is positioned into the indention of the first member to position the first member through a first opening in the first structural member to couple the first structural member to the spinous process of the first vertebra, and wherein a second portion of the tool is positioned into the indention of the second member to position the second member through a first opening in the second structural member to couple the second structural member to the spinous process of the first vertebra during use.
- 62. A system for stabilizing lumbar and sacral vertebrae, comprising:
a first structural member comprising a first flange opening; a first fastener configured to pass through the first flange opening; and wherein the first structural member is positioned adjacent to a portion of a sacrum and the first fastener is positioned through the first flange opening to engage a portion of the sacrum.
- 63. The system of claim 62, wherein the first flange opening comprises a combined space of overlapping arcuate-shaped openings.
- 64. The system of claim 62, wherein a length of the first flange opening is greater than a width of the first flange opening.
- 65. The system of claim 62, wherein a portion of the first structural member forms a wall of the first flange opening.
- 66. The system of claim 65, wherein the wall of the first flange opening is configured to allow the first fastener to engage a portion of the sacrum at an oblique angle relative to a centerline axis of the first flange opening.
- 67. The system of claim 65, wherein at least a portion of the first flange opening wall is conically shaped to mate with a portion of the first fastener.
- 68. The system of claim 65, wherein at least a portion of the first flange opening wall is tapered to mate with a portion of the first fastener.
- 69. The system of claim 65, wherein at least a portion of the first flange opening wall is curved to mate with a portion of the first fastener.
- 70. The system of claim 62, wherein the first structural member is made of a semi-rigid material.
- 71. The system of claim 62, wherein the first structural member is shaped to substantially conform to surfaces of the sacrum during use.
- 72. The system of claim 62, wherein the first structural member comprises a first extending member extending from a surface of the first structural member.
- 73. The system of claim 72, wherein the first extending member comprises a first extending member opening.
- 74. The system of claim 62, wherein the structural member comprises texturing.
- 75. The system of claim 62, further comprising a second structural member wherein a portion of the second structural member is configured to be positioned adjacent to a spinous process of a lumbar vertebra during use.
- 76. The system of claim 75, wherein the second structural member comprises:
a second flange having a second flange opening; a second structural member fastener; and wherein the second structural member fastener is configured to be positioned through the second structural member flange opening to engage a vertebral facet of the lumbar vertebra.
- 77. The system of claim 76, wherein a portion of the second structural member is configured to be positioned adjacent to the first extending member of the first structural member during use.
- 78. The system of claim 77, further comprising texturing on the first structural member and texturing on the second structural member and wherein the texturing on the first structural member engages the texturing on the second structural member.
- 79. The system of claim 78, wherein the texturing on the first structural member and the texturing on the second structural member couples the first structural member to the second structural member at an angle natural for the lumbar and sacral vertebrae.
- 80. The system of claim 77, wherein the second structural member comprises an opening configured to be aligned with the opening in the extending member of the first structural member during use.
- 81. The system of claim 80, wherein a portion of a connector is positioned through the opening in the extending member of the first structural member and through the opening in the second structural member to couple the first structural member to the second structural member.
- 82. The system of claim 81, wherein the connector comprises a head with an indention.
- 83. The system of claim 82, wherein a portion of a tool is positioned in the indention of the connector head to position the connector through the opening of the first structural member and through the opening of the second structural member to couple the first structural member to the second structural member during use.
- 84. A method for stabilizing at least a portion of a human spine, comprising:
positioning an interbody fusion device in the intervertebral space between a first vertebra and a second vertebra; coupling a first structural member to a first spinous process on the first vertebra; coupling the first structural member to the second vertebra; and wherein the first structural member inhibits movement of the fusion device from the intervertebral space during use.
- 85. The method of claim 84, wherein the interbody fusion device comprises a spinal implant device.
- 86. The method of claim 84, wherein the interbody fusion device comprises an artificial disc.
- 87. The method of claim 84, wherein the interbody fusion device comprises a bone graft.
- 88. The method of claim 84, wherein the interbody fusion device is positioned within the intervertebral space using an anterior or lateral approach.
- 89. The method of claim 84, further comprising coupling a second structural member to a first spinous process.
- 90. The method of claim 84, further comprising positioning a therapeutically beneficial material between the first structural member and the second structural member.
- 91. The method of claim 84, further comprising positioning a bone graft between the first structural member and the second structural member.
- 92. The method of claim 84, wherein the system further comprises a second structural member.
- 93. The method of claim 92, wherein coupling the first structural member and the second structural member to the first spinous process comprises positioning a connector through a first opening in the first structural member, an opening in the first spinous process and a first opening in the second structural member.
- 94. The method of claim 92, wherein coupling the first structural member and the second structural member to the second vertebra comprises positioning a fastener through a second opening in the first structural member, an opening in the second vertebra, and a second opening in the second structural member.
- 95. The method of claim 84, wherein the first structural member is implanted using a posterior approach.
- 96. The method of claim 84, wherein the system further comprises a second structural member, and further comprising coupling the first structural member to the second structural member using at least one connector positioned in an opening in the first spinous process.
- 97. The method of claim 84, wherein the system further comprises a second structural member, and further comprising:
coupling the first structural member to the second structural member using a connector positioned in an opening in the first spinal process; and coupling the first structural member to the second structural member using at least fastener positioned in an opening in a second spinal process.
- 98. A method for stabilizing at least a portion of a human spine, comprising:
coupling a first structural member to a first spinous process of a first vertebra and a second vertebra; coupling a second structural member to the first spinous process of the first vertebra and the second vertebra; coupling the first structural member to the second structural member; coupling a third structural member to the first structural member or the second structural member; and coupling the third structural member to a third vertebra.
- 99. The method of claim 98, wherein the third structural member is coupled to the first structural member and the second structural member at the first spinous process.
- 100. The method of claim 98, wherein the fastener is positioned in a craniomedial to caudolateral direction.
- 101. The method of claim 98, further comprising positioning a fastener through a flange opening in the first structural member and through a portion of the first and second vertebrae to fixate an intervening facet joint between the vertebrae.
- 102. The method of claim 101, wherein the fastener is positioned through the flange opening at an oblique angle relative to a centerline axis of the opening in the structural member.
- 103. The method of claim 98, further comprising positioning a template adjacent to portions of the first and second vertebrae to determine a size and spacing of the structural members.
- 104. The method of claim 98, further comprising positioning a first connector through an opening in the first structural member, through an opening in the first spinous process, and through an opening in the second structural member.
- 105. The method of claim 104, wherein an opening is bored through the spinous process of the first vertebra for accepting a portion of the first connector.
- 106. The method of claim 105, wherein a punching tool is used to bore the opening in the spinous process of the first vertebra.
- 107. The method of claim 104, wherein the first connector comprises a first member having an indention and a second member having an indention, and further comprising:
inserting a first portion of a tool in the indention in the first member; inserting a second portion of the tool in the indention in the second member; positioning a section of the first member in the first structural member; positioning a section of the second member in the second structural member; and coupling the first member to the second member.
- 108. The method of claim 98, wherein a portion of the first structural member is positioned adjacent to a second spinous process on the second vertebra.
- 109. The method of claim 108, wherein the portion of the first structural member is coupled to the second spinous process.
- 110. The method of claim 108, wherein a second connector is inserted through an opening in the portion of the first structural member for coupling the first structural member to the second spinous process.
- 111. The method of claim 110, wherein the second connector comprises a head with an indention.
- 112. The method of claim 111, wherein a portion of a tool is positioned into the indention of the second connector head to position the second connector through the opening of the second portion of the first structural member and through the second spinous process to couple the first structural member to the second spinous process during use.
- 113. The method of claim 110, wherein an opening is bored through the spinous process of the second vertebra for accepting a portion of the connector.
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/306,765 entitled “Spinal Stabilization System and Method,” filed Jul. 20, 2001. The above-referenced provisional application is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60306765 |
Jul 2001 |
US |