ADJUSTABLE SPINAL SYSTEM

• US 20080300635A1
• Filed: 06/04/2007
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jonas V. Lieponis
• Original Assignee: Jonas V. Lieponis
• Inventors: Lieponis, Jonas V.
• Granted Patent: US 7,857,837 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/280
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/901 Thoracic stabilizer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/902 Cortical plate specifically adapted for a particular bone
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/903 Cranial and facial plate

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating the installation of spinals support members on consecutive vertebrae where the optimal positioning of screws does not form a straight line. The system includes a first plate spanning a first and second vertebrae, a second plate spanning the second vertebrae and a third vertebrae and an offset member coupling the first plate to the second plate at a defined angle to accommodate the anatomical variations of the patients vertebrae.

Claims

1. An adjustable spinal implant system comprising:

a first plate having an elongated slot form therein along a longitudinal axis of said first plate;

a second plate having an elongated slot form therein along a longitudinal axis of said second plate;

an offset member having a opening formed therein to fit over a screw shaft and at least two tabs extending radially outward, the two tabs having centerlines that form an acute angle relative to each other; and

first, second and third screws insertable in first, second and third vertebrae respectively;

said first plate positioned over said first and second screws and said second plate positioned over said second and third screws;

said offset member positioned over said second screw, said first tab engaged with the slot in said first plate and said second tab engaged with the slot in said second plate.

2. The adjustable spinal implant system according to claim 1 wherein said offset member is positioned between said first and second plates.

3. The adjustable spinal implant system according to claim 2 wherein said second plate is provided with an off set such that said second plate may be positioned on said second screw over said first plate and said offset member.

4. The adjustable spinal implant system according to claim 2 wherein said second tab extends substantially in the same plane as the offset member to engage with said slot in said second plate, and said first tab extends in a plane different from said offset member to engage with said slot in said first plate.

5. The adjustable spinal implant system according to claim 1 further comprising first, second and third locking nuts fitted over said first, second and third screws respectively.

6. The adjustable spinal implant system according to claim 1 wherein said first plate comprises a horizontal bar segmenting the slot in the first plate into first and second elongated slots.

7. The adjustable spinal implant system according to claim 1 wherein said first plate comprises first and second ends and includes a notch positioned in at least one of said first or second ends.

8. The adjustable spinal implant system according to claim 7 wherein said first plate includes a notch positioned in both the first and second ends.

9. The adjustable spinal implant system according to claim 1 wherein said first, second and third screws comprise pedicle screws.

10. A method for installing a spinal implant comprising the steps of:

installing first, second and third screws to at least three consecutive vertebrae, the first and second screws forming a first plane and the second and third screws forming a second plane that is different from the first plane;

affixing a first plate between the first and second screws, the first plate having a slot located therein;

installing an offset member to the second screw, the offset member having a first tab that engages with the slot in the first plate;

affixing a second plate between the second and third screws, the second plate having a slot located therein; and

engaging a second tab on the offset member with the slot in the second plate.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the offset member is positioned between the first and second plates.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the second plate is provided with an off set such that the second plate may be positioned on the second screw over the first plate and the offset member.

13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the second tab extends substantially in the same plane as the offset member to engage with the slot in the second plate, and the first tab extends in a plane different from the offset member to engage with the slot in the first plate.

14. The method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of fitting first, second and third locking nuts over the first, second and third screws respectively.

15. The method according to claim 10 wherein the first plate includes a horizontal bar segmenting the slot in the first plate into first and second elongated slots.

16. The method according to claim 10 wherein the first plate includes first and second ends and further includes a notch positioned in at least one of the first or second ends.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the first plate includes a notch positioned in both the first and second ends.