Method and apparatus for spinal stabilization

• US 20060122610A1
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• 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., Warren, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,857,832 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/86.A
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1615 Drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material
• 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 17/7082 for driving, i.e. rotating, screws or screw parts specially adapted for spinal fixation, e.g. for driving polyaxial or tulip-headed screws driving other bone screws A61B17/8875
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/862 at the periphery of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8883 the driver bit acting on the periphery of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8891 at its periphery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/867 with integral locking or clamping means

Abstract

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

Claims

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

advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebrae;

positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between the superior vertebrae and the inferior vertebrae by contacting a surface of the superior vertebrae; and

removing a portion of the superior vertebrae or the inferior vertebrae to disperse forces generated when the proximal portion of the stabilization device limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae by contacting a surface of the superior vertebrae.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of removing a portion the superior vertebrae or the inferior vertebrae comprises forming a counter sink in the inferior vertebrae for the proximal portion of the stabilization device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of removing a portion the superior vertebrae or the inferior vertebrae comprises removing a portion of an inferior articular process of the superior vertebrae.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of removing a portion the superior vertebrae or the inferior vertebrae comprises forming a recess the superior vertebrae.

5. 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.

6. The method of claim 5, 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.

7. The method of claim 5, 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.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising removing the proximal anchor from the elongated body and distally advancing a second proximal anchor over the elongated body of the stabilization device.

9. 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 vertebrae.

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

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

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

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

forming a first countersink in the inferior vertebrae;

advancing a distal end of a first stabilization device through the first counter sink and into a pedicle of the inferior vertebrae;

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

forming a second countersink in the inferior vertebrae with substantially bilateral symmetry with respect to the first countersink;

advancing a distal end of a second stabilization device through the second counter sink and into a pedicle of the inferior vertebrae such that it is positioned with substantial bilateral symmetry with respect to the first stabilization device; and

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

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and second stabilization device limit extension between the superior vertebrae and the inferior vertebrae.

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

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising modifying the surface of the first inferior articular process of the superior adjacent vertebrae that abuts against the proximal portion of the first fixation device and modifying the surface of the second inferior articular process of the superior adjacent vertebrae that abuts against the proximal portion of the second fixation device.

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

modifying a surface of a first inferior articular process of the superior adjacent vertebrae;

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

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

modifying a surface of a second inferior articular process of the superior adjacent vertebrae;

advancing a distal end of a second stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebrae such that it is positioned with substantial 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 substantial bilateral symmetry with respect to the first stabilization device, against the modified surface of second inferior articular process of the superior adjacent vertebrae to limit at least one degree of movement between the superior vertebrae and the inferior vertebrae.

18. 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 mechanically resilient; 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.

19. The spinal stabilization device of claim 18, wherein the distal anchor comprises a helical flange.

20. The spinal stabilization device of claim 18, 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.

21. The spinal stabilization device of claim 20, 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.

22. The spinal stabilization device of claim 19, wherein the mechanically resilient structure comprises a deflectable flange.

23. 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 having an elastic modulus that is substantially similar to bone; 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.