Vertebral shock absorbers

• US 20050261682A1
• Filed: 04/14/2003
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bret A. Ferree
• Original Assignee: Bret A. Ferree
• Inventors: Ferree, Bret A.
• Application Number:
  US10/412,896
• Publication Number:
  US 20050261682A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7007 Parts of the longitudinal elements, e.g. their ends, being specially adapted to fit around the screw or hook heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7025 with a sliding joint
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7031 made wholly or partly of flexible material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7044 also having plates, staples or washers bearing on the vertebrae
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455

Abstract

A vertebral shock absorber in the form of an elongated compressible member having two ends, one fastened to an upper vertebra, and the other fastened to a lower vertebra. The elongated member may be fastened using pedicle screws or by way of ball-and-socket joints for enhanced range of motion. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated compressible member is constructed using telescoping sleeves to create a cavity wherein there is disposed a compressible, resilient component such as a spring, elastomeric material, liquid, gel, hydrogel, or other suitable substance. The shock absorber may be combined with an intradiscal component and/or one or more plates that extends at least partially onto a vertebral endplate to facilitate lateral application.

Claims

1. A vertebral shock absorber, comprising:

an elongated compressible member having two ends, one fastened to an upper vertebra, and the other fastened to a lower vertebra.

2. The vertebral shock absorber of Claim 1, wherein the ends of the elongated member are fastened using pedicle screws.

3. The vertebral shock absorber of claim 1, wherein the ends of the elongated member are fastened using ball-and-socket joints.

4. The vertebral shock absorber of claim 1, wherein the elongated compressible member is constructed using telescoping sleeves.

5. The vertebral shock absorber of claim 1, wherein:

the elongated compressible member is constructed using telescoping sleeves to create a cavity therewithin; and

a compressible, resilient component disposed within the cavity.

6. The vertebral shock absorber of claim 1, wherein the compressible, resilient component is a spring.

7. The vertebral shock absorber of claim 1, wherein the compressible, resilient component is a spring.

8. The vertebral shock absorber of claim 1, wherein the compressible, resilient component is an elastomeric.

9. The vertebral shock absorber of claim 1, wherein the compressible, resilient component is a hydrogel.

10. The vertebral shock absorber of claim 1, further including an intradiscal component.

11. The vertebral shock absorber of claim 1, further including a plate that extends at least partially onto a vertebral endplate to facilitate lateral application.