Method and apparatus for spinal stabilization

• US 20060122609A1
• Filed: 02/11/2005
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Decima Spine, Inc
• Original Assignee: Interventional Spine, Inc (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Culbert, Brad S., Mirkovic, Srdjan
• Granted Patent: US 7,648,523 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/86.A
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1637 Hollow drills or saws producing a curved cut, e.g. cylindrical A61B10/025, A61B17/1695 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8685 comprising multiple separate parts

Abstract

A method of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body of a patient includes advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body. A proximal portion of the stabilization device is positioned such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body by contacting a surface of the superior vertebral body.

Claims

1. A method of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body of a patient, comprising:

advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body; and

positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body by contacting a surface of the superior vertebral body.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device comprises advancing a proximal anchor distally over an elongated body of the stabilization device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of advancing a proximal anchor distally over an elongated body of the stabilization device comprises proximally retracting the elongated body with respect to the proximal anchor.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of advancing a proximal anchor distally over an elongated body of the stabilization device comprises applying a distal force to the proximal anchor.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the patient in a face down position during the step of advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into the pedicle of the inferior vertebral body.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body comprises advancing the distal end of the stabilization device through the pars of the inferior vertebral body.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body and positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device are accomplished through a minimally invasive surgical approach.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body comprises rotating the distal end of the stabilization device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body further comprises advancing the stabilization device over a guidewire.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body further comprises advancing the stabilization device through an expanded tissue tract.

11. A method of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body of a patient, comprising:

advancing a distal end of a first stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body;

positioning a proximal portion of the first stabilization device such that the proximal portion abuts against a surface of an inferior articular process of the superior adjacent vertebral body to limit at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body;

advancing a distal end of a second stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body such that it is positioned with bilateral symmetry with respect to the first stabilization device; and

positioning a proximal portion of the second stabilization device such that the proximal portion abuts, with bilateral symmetry with respect to the first stabilization device, against a surface of second inferior articular process of the superior adjacent vertebral body to limit at least one degree of movement between the superior vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second stabilization device limit flexion between the superior vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second stabilization device limit lateral movement between the superior vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body

14. A spinal stabilization device, comprising:

an elongate body, having a proximal end and a distal end;

a distal anchor on the distal end of the elongate body;

a retention structure on the body, proximal to the distal anchor; and

a proximal anchor, moveably carried by the body, the proximal anchor having an outer surface, at least a portion of the outer surface being elastic; and

at least one complementary retention structure on the proximal anchor configured for permitting proximal movement of the body with respect to the proximal anchor but resisting distal movement of the body with respect the proximal anchor.

15. The spinal stabilization device of claim 14, wherein the distal anchor comprises a helical flange.

16. The spinal stabilization device of claim 14, wherein the retention structure on the body and the least one complementary retention structure on the proximal anchor comprise a series of ridges and grooves.

17. The spinal stabilization device of claim 16, wherein the least one complementary retention structure on the proximal anchor comprises an annular ring positioned within a recess formed between the proximal anchor and the elongate pin.

18. The spinal stabilization device of claim 14, wherein the proximal anchor includes a distally facing surface, the distally facing surface including at least one bone engagement feature.

19. A spinal stabilization device for limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body of a patient, comprising:

an elongate body, having a proximal end and a distal end;

a distal anchor on the distal end of the elongate body;

a retention structure on the body, proximal to the distal anchor; and

a proximal anchor, moveably carried by the body, and including at least one flat surface configured to abut against a surface of an inferior articular process of the superior adjacent vertebral body when the stabilization device is inserted into the inferior adjacent vertebral body; and

at least one complementary retention structure on the proximal anchor configured for permitting proximal movement of the body with respect to the proximal anchor but resisting distal movement of the body with respect the proximal anchor.

20. A spinal stabilization device for limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body of a patient, comprising:

an elongate body, having a proximal end and a distal end;

a distal anchor on the distal end of the elongate body;

a retention structure on the body, proximal to the distal anchor; and

a proximal anchor, moveably carried by the body and including at least one saddle-shaped surface configured to abut against an inferior articular process of the superior adjacent vertebral body when the stabilization device is inserted into the inferior adjacent vertebral body; and

at least one complementary retention structure on the proximal anchor configured for permitting proximal movement of the body with respect to the proximal anchor but resisting distal movement of the body with respect the proximal anchor.