Method and apparatus for spinal stabilization

• US 20070016191A1
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Decima Spine, Inc
• Original Assignee: Interventional Spine, Inc (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Culbert, Brad, Warren, Chirstopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,901,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/279
• 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 extension between an inferior and superior body structure of a spine, comprising:

inserting a stabilization into a patient from a lateral or anterior site;

coupling a stabilization device only to the inferior body structure of the spine such that a portion of the stabilization device limits extension between the superior body structure and the inferior body structure.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a distal portion of the stabilization device limits extension between the superior body structure and the inferior body structure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a proximal portion of the stabilization device limits extension between the superior body structure and the inferior body structure.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the proximal portion comprises a proximal anchor carried by an elongated body of the stabilization device.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising advancing the proximal anchor over the elongated body.

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

providing a complementary interface on the superior adjacent vertebrae;

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

positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device such that the proximal portion abuts against the complementary interface to limit at least one degree of movement between the superior vertebrae and the inferior vertebrae.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device comprises advancing a proximal anchor over a body, which forms at least in part, the distal end of the stabilization device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the proximal anchor is advanced over the body after the distal end of the stabilization device is advanced into the inferior vertebrae.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into the inferior vertebrae comprises rotating the stabilization device.

10. 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 proximal anchor carried to the body and having an outer surface that is radially adjustable with respect to the elongated body.

11. The spinal stabilization device of claim 10, wherein the proximal anchor is moveably carried by the body and the proximal anchor and the elongated body include complementary retention structures which allow distal movement of the proximal anchor on the body but resist proximal movement of the proximal anchor on the body.

12. The spinal stabilization device of claim 10, wherein the distal anchor comprises a helical flange.

13. A spinal stabilization device, comprising:

a 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, carried by the body, and having a diameter, the proximal anchor having means for adjusting the diameter of the proximal anchor.

14. The spinal stabilization device of claim 13, wherein the proximal anchor is moveably carried by the body and the proximal anchor and the body include complementary retention structures which allow distal movement of the proximal anchor on the body but resist proximal movement of the proximal anchor on the body.

15. The spinal stabilization device of claim 13, wherein the distal anchor comprises a helical flange.

16. A method of stabilizing a spine, comprising:

coupling a stabilization device to an inferior vertebral body such that the stabilization device limits at least one degree of movement between the superior and the inferior vertebrae while not limiting another degree of movement between the superior and inferior vertebrae; and

in a subsequent procedure, using at least a portion of the stabilization device to support a spinal fixation device configured to allow substantially no movement between the superior and inferior vertebrae.

17. The method of claim 16, coupling a stabilization device to an inferior vertebral body comprises rotating a helical anchor into the inferior vertebral.

18. The method of claim 16, coupling a stabilization device to an inferior vertebral body such that the stabilization device limits at least one degree of movement between the superior and the inferior vertebrae while not limiting another degree of movement between the superior and inferior vertebrae comprises advancing a proximal anchor over an elongated body of the stabilization device and positioning the proximal anchor such that it wedges against the superior vertebrae.

19. A kit for spinal stabilization, comprising:

a spinal stabilization device; and

instructions for coupling the stabilization device only to an inferior body structure of the spine such that a portion of the stabilization device limits extension between the superior body structure and the inferior body structure.

20. A kit as in claim 19, further comprising instructions to advance a proximal anchor over an elongated body of the stabilization device such that the proximal anchor limits extension between the superior body structure and the inferior body structure.

21. A kit for spinal stabilization, comprising:

a spinal stabilization device comprising a distal end and a proximal end;

instructions for inserting the distal end into an inferior vertebral body and positioning the proximal end of the device such that the device limits extension between the inferior vertebrae and a superior vertebrae body by contacting a surface of the superior vertebrae or an intermediate member coupled to the superior vertebrae.

22. A kit as in claim 21, further comprising instructions to advance a proximal anchor over an elongated body of the stabilization device such that the proximal anchor limits contacts a surface of the superior vertebrae.