MODULAR OCCIPITAL PLATE

• US 20080177314A1
• Filed: 05/31/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc. (Zimvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lemoine, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 8,636,737 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/250
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/701 Longitudinal elements with a non-circular, e.g. rectangular, cross-section A61B17/7005, A61B17/7007 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7011 Longitudinal element being non-straight, e.g. curved, angled or branched adjustable length longitudinal elements A61B17/7014; A61B17/7019 takes precedence, e.g. coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7044 also having plates, staples or washers bearing on the vertebrae
• 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 17/8023 Variable length plates adjustable in both directions

Abstract

A system and associated method are provided for mechanically fixating a region of a skull to a portion of a spine. A plate is provided to contact a region of a skull and be secured thereto. A spinal rod is configured to extend from a location adjacent the plate to a location adjacent at least one vertebra. An adjustable housing is provided to secure the rod to the plate, and has a first position wherein the relative position of the rod to the plate can be adjusted and a second position wherein the relative position of the rod to the plate is secured.

Claims

1. A system for fixing a region of the skull to a portion of the spine, the system comprising:

a plate configured to contact a region of the skull and be secured thereto, the plate having a top surface and at least one elongated slot defined therein, the at least one elongated slot having a transverse dimension and the plate having at least one threaded opening in communication with the at least one elongated slot;

an adjustable housing having a body portion and a base portion, the body portion having a channel defined therein to receive a spinal rod, the base portion having a first cross dimension,

the adjustable housing further including a threaded exterior surface; and

the adjustable housing configured to be received by the elongated slot, the threaded exterior surface configured to be received in the threaded opening of the plate.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plate includes a recessed surface along at least a portion of the elongated slot opposite the top surface.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plate includes a first interlocking surface disposed within the recessed surface.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the adjustable housing further includes a flange extending outwardly from the base portion, and a second interlocking surface disposed on the flange.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces are extending projections.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces are square teeth.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces are rounded teeth.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces are radial or parallel ribs.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces are radial textured or knurled surfaces.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces are pyramid-shaped projections.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the plate further includes a bottom wall to enclose at least a portion of the recessed surface and define a cavity within which the base portion is captured when the adjustable housing is received in the elongated slot.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a securing device, the body portion of the adjustable housing having a threaded surface to receive the securing device and secure a spinal rod within the channel, and further wherein the adjustable housing is drawn from a first position in which the adjustable housing is slideably received in the elongated slot to a second position in which the adjustable housing is locked in position in the elongated slot upon receipt of the securing device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the plate further includes at least one opening to receive a fastener therethrough to secure the plate to a skull.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the plate has a single elongated slot defined therein.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the threaded opening in communication with the single elongated slot is located intermediate the elongated slot.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the plate has two elongated slots defined therein.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the plate has a threaded opening in communication with an end of each elongated slot.

18. A method for fixing a region of the skull to a portion of the spine, the method comprising:

securing a plate to a region of the skull, the plate having a top surface and at least one elongated slot defined therein, the at least one elongated slot having a transverse dimension and the plate having at least one threaded opening in communication with the at least one elongated slot;

receiving an adjustable housing in the elongated slot, the adjustable housing having a body portion and a base portion, the body portion having a channel defined therein to receive a spinal rod, the base portion having a first cross dimension, the adjustable housing further including a threaded exterior surface, the threaded exterior surface configured to be received in the threaded opening of the plate.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the plate includes a recessed surface along at least a portion of the elongated slot opposite the top surface.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the plate includes a first interlocking surface disposed within the recessed surface.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the adjustable housing further includes a flange extending outwardly from the base portion, and a second interlocking surface disposed on the flange.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces are extending projections.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces are square teeth.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces are rounded teeth.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces are radial or parallel ribs.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces are radial textured or knurled surfaces.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces are pyramid-shaped projections.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein the plate further includes a bottom wall to enclose at least a portion of the recessed surface and define a cavity within which the base portion is captured when the adjustable housing is received in the elongated slot.

29. The method of claim 18, further comprising securing a spinal rod within the channel of the adjustable housing wherein the body portion of the adjustable housing has a threaded surface to receive a securing device to secure the spinal rod within the channel, and further wherein the adjustable housing is drawn from a first position in which the adjustable housing is slideably received in the elongated slot to a second position in which the adjustable housing is locked in position in the elongated slot upon receipt of the securing device.

30. The method of claim 18, wherein the plate further includes at least one opening to receive a fastener therethrough to secure the plate to a skull.

31. The method of claim 18, wherein the plate has a single elongated slot defined therein.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the threaded opening in communication with the single elongated slot is located intermediate the elongated slot.

33. The method of claim 18, wherein the plate has two elongated slots defined therein.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the plate has a threaded opening in communication with an end of each elongated slot.

35. A system for fixing a region of the skull to a portion of the spine, the system comprising:

a plate configured to contact a region of the skull and be secured thereto, the plate having a top surface and first and second elongated slots defined therein, the first and second elongated slots having a transverse dimension and the plate having a first threaded opening in communication with the first elongated slot and a second threaded opening in communication with the second elongated slot, the plate further having at least one opening to receive a fastener therethrough to secure the plate to the skull;

a first adjustable housing having a body portion and a base portion, the base portion having a threaded exterior surface configured to be received in the first threaded opening, the body portion having a channel defined therein to receive a first spinal rod and having threads therein to receive a first securing device and secure the first spinal rod within the channel, wherein the first adjustable housing is drawn from a first position in which the first adjustable housing is slideably received in the elongated slot to a second position in which the first adjustable housing is locked in position in the elongated slot upon securing of the first securing device;

a second adjustable housing having a body portion and a base portion, the base portion having a threaded exterior surface configured to be received in the first threaded opening, the body portion having a channel defined therein to receive a first spinal rod and having threads therein to receive a second securing device and secure the first spinal rod within the channel, wherein the second adjustable housing is drawn from a first position in which the second adjustable housing is slideably received in the elongated slot to a second position in which the second adjustable housing is locked in position in the elongated slot upon securing of the second securing device;

a first bone hook having a receiver channel therein configured to receive the first spinal rod and having threads to receive a third securing device and secure the first spinal rod; and

a second bone hook having a receiver channel therein configured to receive the second spinal rod and having threads to receive a fourth securing device and secure the second spinal rod.