System and Method for Immobilizing Adjacent Spinous Processes

• US 20080021471A1
• Filed: 10/02/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Kyphon Incorporated
• Inventors: Klyce, Henry, Bohrer, David, Winslow, Charles
• Application Number:
  US11/866,309
• Publication Number:
  US 20080021471A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7062 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs rib fixation devices A61B17/8076; Tools for such devices

Abstract

A system and method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes in accordance with the present invention can supplement primary fusion devices and methods by immobilizing spinous processes while bone from adjacent vertebral bodies grows together. The system requires less extensive surgical procedures than other common supplemental devices, and preferably does not require bone or ligament removal. One such system comprises three spacers positioned between spinous processes and adjustably connected with a plate positioned on either side of the spinous processes. Each plate includes grips, with each grip positioned adjacent to the spinous process, forming a clamp with a grip connected with the opposing plate.

Claims

1. A method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes, comprising:

placing at least one spacer between adjacent spinous processes by inserting each of the at least one spacer between a separate pair of spinous processes;

either prior to or after the placing step, operably connecting a first plate with the at least one spacer, such that at least one grip attached to the first plate is positioned adjacent to a first flat side of a spinous process;

operably connecting a second plate with the at least one spacer;

adjusting the at least one grip on the first plate such that the at least one grip is tight against the spinous process; and

adjusting the at least one grip on the second plate such that the at least one grip is tight against the spinous process.

2. The method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one spacer is connected with the first plate by a first end of a pin and is moveable relative to the pin.

3. The method of immobilizing adjacent spinous processes of claim 2, wherein the first end of the pin is connected with the first plate by one of a bolt and a threaded screw.

4. The method of immobilizing adjacent spinous processes of claim 1, wherein the placing step places the spacer such that the spacer is movable relative to the plates.

5. The method of immobilizing adjacent spinous processes of claim 1, wherein the placing step places the spacer such that the spacer is rotatable relative to the plate.

6. The method of immobilizing adjacent spinous processes of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one grip is adjusted by rotating one of a bolt and a threaded screw.

7. A method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes, comprising:

placing a spacer between first and second adjacent spinous processes by inserting the spacer between the spinous processes and placing a second spacer between second and third spinous processes;

either prior to or after the placing steps, operably connecting a first plate to the spacer;

operably connecting a second plate to the spacers;

adjusting the position of the first spacer and the position of the second spacer in order to immobilize the second spinous process.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said placing step includes placing the spacers between the spinous processes from the sides of the spinous processes.

9. The method of claim 7 including a first grip located on the first plate and a second grip located on the second plate and the method including the step of tightening the first grip and the second grip about a spinous process.

10. The method of claim 7 including adjusting the position of a grip relative to a spinous process in order to secure the first and second plates relative to the spinous process.

11. The method of claim 7 including the step of placing a third spacer between the third and a fourth spinous process and adjusting the position of the third spacer in order to immobilize the third spinous process between the second and the third spacers.

12. A system that is adapted to immobilize spinous processes comprising:

a structure;

a first spacer that is rotatably mounted to the structure;

a second spacer that is rotatably mounted to the structure; and

wherein said first and second spacers are shaped and adapted to be positioned between spinous processes.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said spacers are cylindrical in shape.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein said spacers are one of elliptical, ovoid, oval, and race track in shape.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein said first and second spacers can rotate about a first axis and a second axis respectively, and wherein the position of at least one of the first axis and the second axis can be adjusted relative to the system.

16. The system of claim 12 including means for affixing at least one of the first spacer and the second spacer in different positions relative to the system in order to immobilize a spinous process between the first and second spacer.

17. The system of claim 12 including the structure including a slot and at least one of the first and second spacers includes a mechanism that can secure the at least first and second spacer in various locations in the slot.

18. The system of claim 12 including the structure including a slot having at least one of scallops, cut-outs, and lobes and at least one of the first and second spacers can be secured at different locations in the slot by being positioned relative to the at least one of scallops, cut-outs, and lobes.

19. The system of claim 12 including means adapted for clamping the system to one or more spinous processes.

20. The system of claim 12 including a grip that can be adjustably positioned in order to tighten the system against a spinous process.

21. The system of claim 12 wherein at least one of the first spacer and the second spacer can be expanded.