APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SPINE FIXATION

• US 20030163132A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lesfacets LLC
• Original Assignee: Kingsley Richard Chin
• Inventors: Chin, Kingsley Richard
• Granted Patent: US 6,626,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7062 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs rib fixation devices A61B17/8076; Tools for such devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/863 with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8645 Headless screws, e.g. ligament interference screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8665 Nuts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/7073 with intervertebral connecting element crossing an imaginary spinal median surface

Abstract

A spine fixation assembly connecting a first and second vertebra includes first and second elongated plates that form an X-shaped structure. The first elongated plate has a first and a second end that are attached to a first location of the first vertebra and to a second location of the second vertebra, respectively. The second elongated plate has a first and a second end that are attached to a second location of said first vertebra and to a first location of the second vertebra, respectively. The ends of the plates are attached to the various locations of the vertebra via screws or hooks. The elongated plates may have adjustable length, may be rotated around a central axis passing through the center of the X-shaped structure and may be cross-coupled to each other via a screw. A third and fourth elongated plated may be attached horizontally across the top and bottom of the X-shaped structure, respectively.

Claims

1. A spine fixation assembly connecting a first and second vertebra comprising:

a first elongated plate having a first and second ends wherein said first and second ends of said first plate are adapted to be attached to a first location of said first vertebra and to a second location of said second vertebra, respectively;

a second elongated plate having a first and second ends wherein said first and second ends of said second plate are adapted to be attached to a second location of said first vertebra and to a first location of said second vertebra, respectively; and

wherein said first and second elongated plates form an X-shaped structure.

2. The spine fixation assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second plates are cross-coupled.

3. The spine fixation assembly of claim 1 wherein said locations of said vertebrae are selected from a group consisting of a pedicle, transverse processes, pars, lamina, vertebral body, sacrum, lateral mass, and occiput.

4. The spine fixation assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second elongated plates are cross-coupled and attached to each other via a screw.

5. The spine fixation assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third elongated plate having a first and second ends wherein said first and second ends of said third plate are adapted to be attached to said first and second locations of said first vertebra, respectively.

6. The spine fixation assembly of claim 5 further comprising a fourth elongated plate having a first and second ends wherein said first and second ends of said fourth plate are adapted to be attached to said first and second locations of said second vertebra, respectively.

7. The spine fixation assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second vertebra are adjacent to each other.

8. The spine fixation assembly of claim 1 wherein said ends of said elongated plates are attached to said locations of said vertebrae via screws.

9. The spine fixation assembly of claim 1 wherein said ends of said elongated plates are attached to said locations of said vertebrae via hooks.

10. The spine fixation assembly of claim 8 wherein said screws comprise:

a body portion having a threaded outer surface for screwing into said locations of said vertebrae;

a first head portion connected to said body portion and having a serrated outer surface for receiving an end of said elongated plates said end having an aperture for sliding over said first head portion, said aperture having a serrated inner surface interlocking with the serrated outer surface of said first head portion;

a second head portion connected to said first head portion and having a threaded outer surface for receiving a washer with matching inner threads; and

a head connected to said second head portion and having a slot for receiving a screwdriver.

11. The spine fixation assembly of claim 8 wherein said screws comprise:

a body portion having a threaded outer surface for screwing into said locations of said vertebrae;

a first head portion connected to said body portion and having a smooth outer surface for receiving an end of said elongated plates said end having an aperture for sliding over said first head portion, said aperture having a smooth inner surface;

a second head portion connected to said first head portion and having a threaded outer surface for receiving a washer with matching inner threads; and

a head connected to said second head portion and having a slot for receiving a screwdriver.

12. The spine fixation assembly of claim 8 wherein said screws comprise a material selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, gold, silver, alloys thereof, and absorbable material.

13. The spine fixation assembly of claim 1 wherein said elongated plates comprise a material selected from a group consisting of metal, plastic, ceramic, bone, absorbable material, composites, and combinations thereof.

14. The spine assembly of claim 1 wherein said elongated plates have a length in the range of 20 millimeters to 200 millimeters.

15. The spine assembly of claim 1 wherein said elongated plates are flat close to the center of the plate and curve downwards towards the first and second ends.

16. The spine fixation assembly of claim 6 wherein at least one of said elongated plates has an adjustable length.

17. The spine fixation assembly of claim 6 wherein at least one of said elongated plates comprises a first and a second segment and wherein said first and second segments are connected to each other.

18. The spine assembly of claim 17 wherein said first and second segments are connected to each other via a sliding mechanism, said mechanism providing an adjustable length of said elongated plates.

19. The spine assembly of claim 6 wherein at least one of said elongated plates comprises a first and a second component and wherein said first and second component can rotate relative to each other and around a central axis passing through the center of the X-shaped structure.

20. The spine assembly of claim 6 wherein at least one of said elongated plates has adjustable length and comprises a first and a second component wherein said first and second component can rotate relative to each other and around a central axis passing through the center of the X-shaped structure.

21. The spine assembly of claim 1 wherein said ends of said elongated plates are circular and comprise an aperture for sliding over a screw positioned in said locations.

22. The spine assembly of claim 1 wherein said ends of said elongated plates are circular and comprise an aperture for sliding over a screw positioned in said location, said aperture having a serrated inner surface interlocking with a serrated outer surface of said screw.

23. The spine assembly of claim 1 wherein said ends of said elongated plates are circular and comprise a top and bottom surface having grooves.

24. The spine assembly of claim 23 wherein said grooves are spaced ten degrees apart from each other.

25. The spine assembly of claim 23 further comprising a washer having a grooved bottom surface wherein said grooved bottom surface is adapted to be placed on the top surface of said end of the elongated plate and said washer grooves interlock with the grooves on the top surface of said end of the elongated plate.

26. The spine assembly of claim 1 wherein said elongated plates have a circular center and said center comprises an aperture for receiving a screw.

27. The spine assembly of claim 1 wherein said elongated plates have a circular center and said center comprises an aperture for receiving a screw, said aperture having a threaded inner surface interlocking with a threaded outer surface of said screw.

28. The spine assembly of claim 1 wherein said elongated plates have a circular center and said center comprises a top surface having grooves.

29. The spine assembly of claim 28 wherein said grooves are spaced ten degrees apart from each other

30. The spine fixation assembly of claim 6 connecting a third vertebra to said second vertebra and further comprising

a fifth elongated plate having a first and second ends wherein said first and second ends of said fifth plate are adapted to be attached to a first location of said second vertebra and to a second location of said third vertebra, respectively;

a sixth elongated plate having a first and second ends wherein said first and second ends of said sixth plate are adapted to be attached to a second location of said second vertebra and to a first location of said third vertebra, respectively; and

wherein said fifth and sixth elongated plates form a second X-shaped structure.

31. The spine fixation assembly of claim 30 further comprising a seventh elongated plate having- a first and second ends wherein said first and second ends of said seventh plate are adapted to be attached to said first and second locations of said third vertebra, respectively.

44. The spine fixation assembly of claim 27 wherein said first ends of said elongated plates are attached to said central structure allowing rotational movement around an axis passing through the central structure and are secured via a ring.

32. A spine fixation apparatus connecting a plurality of pairs of a first and a second vertebra comprising:

a plurality of first elongated plates each first plate having a first and second ends wherein said first and second ends of said first plates are adapted to be attached to a first location of said plurality of first vertebra and to a second location of said plurality of second vertebra, respectively;

a plurality of second elongated plates having a first and second ends wherein said first and second ends of said second plates are adapted to be attached to a second location of said plurality of first vertebra and to a first location of said plurality of second vertebra, respectively;

wherein said pluralities of first and second elongated plates form a plurality of X-shaped structures; and

wherein said plurality of X-shaped structures are connected to each other.

33. The spine fixation apparatus of claim 32 wherein said pluralities of first and second elongated plates are cross-coupled.

34. The spine fixation apparatus of claim 32 wherein said spine fixation apparatus further comprises a third elongated plate having a first and second ends wherein said first and second ends of said third plate are adapted to be attached to said first and second locations of said first vertebra, respectively.

35. The spine fixation apparatus of claim 33 wherein said spine fixation apparatus further comprises a fourth elongated plate having a first and second end wherein said first and second ends of said fourth plate are adapted to be attached to said first and second locations of said second vertebra, respectively.

36. A spine fixation assembly connecting a first and a second vertebra comprising:

a central structure;

a first elongated plate having a first end adapted to be attached to said central structure and a second end adapted to be attached to a first location of said first vertebra;

a second elongated plate having a first end adapted to be attached to said central structure and a second end adapted to be attached to a second location of said first vertebra;

a third elongated plate having a first end adapted to be attached to said central structure and a second end adapted to be attached to a first location of said second vertebra; and

a fourth elongated plate having a first end adapted to be attached to said central structure and a second end adapted to be attached to a second location of said second vertebra.

37. The spine fixation assembly of claim 36 wherein said central structure has a circular shape.

38. The spine fixation assembly of claim 36 wherein said central structure has a rectangular shape.

39. The spine fixation assembly of claim 36 wherein said elongated plates have adjustable length.

40. The spine fixation assembly of claim 36 wherein said elongated plates have a length in the range of 10 millimeters to 200 millimeters.

41. The spine fixation assembly of claim 36 wherein said second ends of said elongated plates are attached to said locations via screws.

42. The spine fixation assembly of claim 36 wherein said second ends of said elongated plates are attached to said locations via hooks.

43. The spine fixation assembly of claim 36 wherein said first ends of said elongated plates are attached to said central structure allowing rotational movement around an axis passing through the central structure and are secured via screws.

46. The spine fixation method of claim 43 further comprising cross-coupling said first and second elongated plates.

45. A spine fixation method connecting a first and second vertebra comprising:

providing a first elongated plate having a first and second ends and attaching said first and second ends of said first plate to a first location of said first vertebra and to a second location of said second vertebra, respectively;

providing a second elongated plate having a first and second ends and attaching said first and second ends of said second plate to a second location of said first vertebra and to a first location of said second vertebra, respectively; and

wherein said first and second elongated plates form an X-shaped structure.

47. The spine fixation method of claim 45 wherein said ends of said elongated plates are attached to said locations of said vertebrae via screws.

48. The spine fixation method of claim 45 wherein said ends of said elongated plates are attached to said locations of said vertebrae via hooks.

49. The spine fixation method of claim 45 further comprising providing a third elongated plate having first and second ends and attaching said first and second ends of said third plate to said first and second locations of said first vertebra, respectively.

50. The spine fixation method of claim 49 further comprising providing a fourth elongated plate having first and second ends and attaching said first and second ends of said fourth plate to said first and second locations of said second vertebra, respectively.

51. A spine fixation method connecting a first and second vertebra comprising:

attaching first and second screws to first and second locations of said first and second vertebra, respectively;

attaching third and fourth screws to second and first locations of said first and second vertebra, respectively;

providing a first elongated plate having a first and second ends;

attaching said first and second ends of said first elongated plate to said first location of said first vertebra and to a second location of said second vertebra via said first and second screws, respectively;

providing a second elongated plate having a first and second ends;

attaching said first and second ends of said second elongated plate to said second location of said first vertebra and to said first location of said second vertebra via said third and fourth screws, respectively, wherein said first and second elongated plates form an X-shaped structure;

cross-coupling said first and second elongated plates by placing a central screw through the center of the X-shaped structure; and

tightening of all said screws.

52. The spine fixation method of claim 51 further comprising before attaching said first and second elongated plates adjusting the length of said first and second elongated plates.

53. The spine fixation method of claim 51 further comprising:

providing a third elongated plate having a first and second ends and attaching said first and second ends of said third plate to said first and second locations of said first vertebra via said first and third screws, respectively; and

providing a fourth elongated plate having a first and second ends and attaching said first and second ends of said fourth plate to said first and second locations of said second vertebra via said fourth and second screws, respectively.

54. A spine fixation method connecting a first and second vertebra comprising:

attaching first and second screws to first and second locations of said first and second vertebra, respectively;

attaching third and fourth screws to second and first locations of said first and second vertebra, respectively;

providing a first elongated plate having a first and second ends and a center;

attaching said first and second ends of said first elongated plate to said first location of said first vertebra and to a second location of said second vertebra via said first and second screws, respectively;

providing a second elongated plate having a first and second ends;

attaching said first and second ends of said second elongated plate to said second location of said first vertebra and to said center of said first elongated plate via said third and a fifth screws, respectively;

providing a third elongated plate having a first and second ends;

attaching said first and second ends of said third elongated plate to said first location of said second vertebra and to said center of said first elongated plate via said fourth and fifth screws, respectively; and

tightening of all said screws.

55. The spine fixation method of claim 54 further comprising:

providing a fourth elongated plate having a first and second ends and attaching said first and second ends of said fourth plate to said first and second locations of said first vertebra via said first and third screws, respectively; and

providing a fifth elongated plate having a first and second ends and attaching said first and second ends of said fifth plate to said first and second locations of said second vertebra via said fourth and second screws, respectively.

56. The spine fixation method of claim 54 further comprising before attaching said first, second and third elongated plates adjusting the length of said first, second and third elongated plates.

57. A spine fixation method connecting a first and second vertebra comprising:

attaching first and second screws to first and second locations of said first vertebra, respectively;

attaching third and fourth screws to first and second locations of said second vertebra, respectively;

providing a central structure comprising fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth screws;

providing a first elongated plate having a first and second ends;

attaching said first and second ends of said first elongated plate to said first location of said first vertebra and said central structure via said first and fifth screws, respectively;

providing a second elongated plate having a first and second ends;

attaching said first and second ends of said second elongated plate to said second location of said first vertebra and to said central structure via said second and a sixth screws, respectively;

providing a third elongated plate having a first and second ends;

attaching said first and second ends of said third elongated plate to said first location of said second vertebra and to said central structure via said third and seventh screws, respectively;

providing a fourth elongated plate having a first and second ends;

attaching said first and second ends of said fourth elongated plate to said second location of said second vertebra and to said central structure via said fourth and eighth screws, respectively; and

tightening of all said screws.

58. The spine fixation method of claim 57 further comprising before attaching said elongated plates adjusting the length of said elongated plates.

59. The spine fixation method of claim 57 further comprising:

providing a fifth elongated plate having a first and second ends and attaching said first and second ends of said fifth plate to said first and second locations of said first vertebra via said first and second screws, respectively; and

providing a sixth elongated plate having a first and second ends and attaching said first and second ends of said sixth plate to said first and second locations of said second vertebra via said third and fourth screws, respectively.

60. A spine fixation method connecting a first and second vertebra comprising:

attaching first and second screws to first and second locations of said first vertebra, respectively;

attaching third and fourth screws to first and second locations of said second vertebra, respectively;

providing a pair of first and second elongated plates forming an X-shaped structure;

placing said X-shaped structure over the first and second vertebra;

attaching a first and a second end of said first elongated plate to said first location of said first vertebra and said second location of said second vertebra via said first and fourth screws, respectively;

attaching a first and a second end of said second elongated plate to said second location of said first vertebra and to said first location of said second vertebra via said second and third screws, respectively; and

tightening of all said screws.

61. The spine fixation method of claim 60 further comprising before attaching said elongated plates adjusting the length of said elongated plates.

62. The spine fixation method of claim 60 further comprising:

providing a third elongated plate having a first and second ends and attaching said first and second ends of said third plate to said first and second locations of said first vertebra via said first and second screws, respectively; and

providing a fourth elongated plate having a first and second ends and attaching said first and second ends of said fourth plate to said first and second locations of said second vertebra via said third and fourth screws, respectively.