Occipitocervical plate

• US 20070123872A1
• Filed: 01/05/2007
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Utah (State of Utah)
• Original Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Inventors: Avery, Nathan, Brockmeyer, Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 8,241,337 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/250
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7055 connected to sacrum, pelvis or skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8665 Nuts

Abstract

Methods and systems for occipital-cervical spinal fixation. A plate configured for attachment to the occipital bone has two arms extending out from either side, which turn downwards parallel to one another. A first bend is disposed in the arms, such that the arms extend down from the occipital bone behind the spinous process of the C1 and C2 vertebrae, upon installation. A second bend in the arms allows attachment to the C2 vertebra. The system may be dimensioned for pediatric installation. A bone graft material may be held in place between the cervical vertebrae and the skull by installing a cable to the installed system to retain the bone graft material in place. Methods and kits for occipital-cervical spinal fixation are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of treating an occipito-cervical instability by performing an occipito-cervical fusion, the method comprising:

positioning a one-piece occipital-cervical spinal fixation system in contact with the occipital bone such that a plate configured for attachment to the occipital bone is in contact therewith and arms extending outward from the plate pass behind the spinous process of the C1 and C2 vertebrae and contact the C2 vertebra;

marking an attachment site on the C2 vertebra;

inserting at least one means of attaching the occipital-cervical fixation system to the C2 vertebra into the C2 vertebra;

attaching at least one arm of the occipital-cervical fixation system to the C2 vertebra with the at least one means of attaching the occipital-cervical fixation system to the C2 vertebra.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein inserting at least one means of attaching the occipital-cervical fixation system to the C2 vertebra into the C2 vertebra comprises inserting at least one screw into the C2 vertebra.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein inserting at least one screw into the C2 vertebra comprises inserting a headless screw comprising an interconnect structure on a proximal end thereof into the C2 vertebra.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein inserting a headless screw having an interconnect structure on a proximal end thereof into the C2 vertebra comprises inserting a headless screw comprising retaining threads on a proximal end thereof into the C2 vertebra.

5. The method according to claim 4, attaching at least one arm of the occipital-cervical fixation system to the C2 vertebra with the at least one means of attaching the occipital-cervical fixation system to the C2 vertebra comprises attaching a retaining nut to the retaining threads to secure the at least one arm to the C2 vertebra.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein attaching at least one arm of the occipital-cervical fixation system to the C2 vertebra with the at least one means of attaching the occipital-cervical fixation system to the C2 vertebra comprises retracting the at least one screw from the C2 vertebra, placing the system in place and reinserting the at least one screw into the C2 vertebra through an attachment hole in the at least one arm.

7. The method according to claim 2, inserting at least one screw into the C2 vertebra comprises inserting at least one cannulated screw into the C2 vertebra.

8. The method according to claim 2, inserting at least one screw into the C2 vertebra comprises inserting at least one self-drilling screw into the C2 vertebra.

9. An occipital-cervical spinal fixation system, comprising:

a plate;

a first arm extending from a first side of the plate and curving to extend at a ninety degree angle from the plate;

a second arm extending from a second side of the plate and curving to extend at a ninety degree angle from the plate, the second arm running in a common plane with the first arm along its entire length and parallel thereto at a point distal to its curving;

a first extension bend in the first arm, such that the first arm will extend outward from the occipital bone upon attachment of the plate thereto, passing behind the spinous process of the C1 and C2 vertebrae;

a second extension bend in the second arm in-line with the first extension bend, such that the second arm will extend outward from the occipital bone upon attachment of the plate thereto, passing behind the spinous process of the C1 and C2 vertebrae;

a first connection bend in the first arm, such that the first arm will contact the C2 vertebrae upon installation of the plate to the occipital bone;

a second connection bend in the second arm, such that the second arm will contact the C2 vertebrae upon installation of the plate to the occipital bone;

a first attachment hole in the first arm near a distal end thereof;

a second attachment hole in the second arm near a distal end thereof; and

at least one means of attaching the occipital-cervical fixation system to the C2 vertebra.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one means of attaching the occipital-cervical fixation system to the C2 vertebra comprises a screw.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the screw comprises an interconnect structure on a proximal end thereof.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the screw comprises retaining threads on a proximal end thereof.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the screw is a bone screw.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the screw is a headless screw.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the screw is cannulated.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the screw is a top loading screw.

17. The system of claim 10, further comprising at least one retaining nut.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the screw comprises a retaining protrusion.

19. A kit for performing an occipital-cervical fusion, the kit comprising:

an implant for performing an occipital-cervical fusion, said implant having an enlarged top portion with at least one connection hole therethrough for connection to the occipital bone, a first arm and second arm extending opposite from one another then turning downwards to parallel each other, each arm having an attachment hole near the distal end, and each arm having a first bend and a second bend along its length, such that the each arm will extend outward from the occipital bone passing behind the spinous process of the C1 and C2 vertebrae and contact the C2 vertebrae upon installation;

at least one means of attaching at least one of the first arm or second arm to the C2 vertebra to the C2 vertebra; and

at least one means for attaching the implant to the occipital bone.

20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the at least one means of attaching at least one of the first arm or second arm to the C2 vertebra to the C2 vertebra and/or the at least one means for attaching the implant to the occipital bone comprise a screw.