Instruments and methods for minimally invasive spinal stabilization
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Instruments and method are provided for introducing a flexible stabilization element into a patient in a minimally invasive surgical approach and securing the flexible stabilization element to one or more anchors. Also provided are instrument and methods for reduction of displacement between adjacent vertebrae in a minimally invasive surgical approach, and for minimally invasive stabilization of reduced vertebrae.
165 Citations
113 Claims
-
1-58. -58. (canceled)
-
59. A spinal stabilization element, comprising:
an elongate member extending along a longitudinal axis, said elongate member being curved along said longitudinal axis between a distal portion and a proximal portion, said distal and proximal portions each being engageable to an anchor secured to respective ones of first and second vertebrae, said distal and proximal portions being movable relative to one another when secured to the anchors. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
-
70. A spinal stabilization element, comprising:
an elongate member extending along a longitudinal axis, said elongate member including a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, said distal and proximal portions being substantially rigid and each being engageable to respective ones of first and second anchors engageable to first and second vertebrae, said intermediate portion being flexible and permitting movement of said distal and proximal portions relative to one another when secured to the anchors. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73)
-
74-105. -105. (canceled)
-
106. A spinal stabilization element, comprising:
an elongate member extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end portion and a second end portion, said first and second end portions each including a rigid elongated rod-like structure engageable to an anchor when secured to respective ones of first and second vertebrae, said elongate member further including a flexible intermediate portion extending between said first and second end portions and being structured to flex to permit movement of said first and second end portions relative to one another when said first and second end portions are engaged to respective anchors. - View Dependent Claims (107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113)
Specification