Lamina implants and methods for spinal decompression

• US 10,342,584 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2017
• Issued: 07/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Lee, Kevin, Montello, Albert, Albert, Todd James
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, Julianna N
• Application Number:
  US15/634,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20170290613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7011 Longitudinal element being non-straight, e.g. curved, angled or branched adjustable length longitudinal elements A61B17/7014; A61B17/7019 takes precedence, e.g. coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7013 the shape of the element being adjustable before use adjustable length plates A61B17/7014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7071 Implants for expanding or repairing the vertebral arch or wedged between laminae or pedicles; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8605 Heads, i.e. proximal ends projecting from bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/8655 with special features for locking in the bone

Abstract

Lamina plates can include various features that allow a surgeon to couple the plate to a vertebra, such as a plurality of receiving holes for receiving a spinal fixation element. The plate can be shaped and the receiving holes positioned such that spinal fixation elements can be installed with reduced exposure of the spine and along a trajectory that enhances purchase with bone. The lamina plate can include one or more features for coupling at least one receiver head to the plate for receiving a spinal stabilization element. Since the receiver head can be coupled to the plate after the plate is implanted, it does not restrict the range of angles or trajectories at which the spinal fixation elements can be installed.

Claims

1. A method for decompressing a vertebra, comprising:

removing first and second laminae from a vertebra of a patient, thereby forming a first cut end and a second cut end;

inserting a lamina plate into the patient such that a first terminal end surface of the plate contacts the first cut end of the vertebra and a second terminal end surface of the plate contacts the second cut end of the vertebra;

inserting a first screw through a first bone screw hole in the lamina plate and into a first lateral mass of the vertebra, the first bone screw hole exiting through the first terminal end surface of the lamina plate;

inserting a second screw through a second bone screw hole in the lamina plate and into a second lateral mass of the vertebra to couple the lamina plate to the vertebra, the second bone screw hole exiting through the second terminal end surface of the lamina plate; and

after inserting the lamina plate into the patient, attaching a receiver head to the lamina plate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver head is attached to the lamina plate after the first and second bone screws are inserted through the lamina plate.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver head is attached to one of the first and second bone screws after the first and second bone screws are inserted through the lamina plate.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a full laminectomy on a plurality of consecutive vertebral levels of a spine and coupling a lamina plate to each of said consecutive vertebral levels.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising attaching a receiver head into each lamina plate.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising inserting a spinal stabilization element into the receiver heads.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the stabilization element is positioned above a midline of the spine.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the stabilization element is positioned laterally offset from a midline of the spine.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the distance between the first and second cut ends is in the range of about 15 to about 30 mm.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein only about 15 to about 40 mm of the vertebra is exposed lateral to a midline of the vertebra in performing the method.