BONE TISSUE FIXATION DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20090198277A1
• Filed: 12/23/2008
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wenzel Spine, Inc.
• Original Assignee: OsteoMed Spine, Inc.
• Inventors: Deaton, James E., Gordon, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 8,940,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/248
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/688 for reattaching pieces of the skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7053 with parts attached to bones or to each other by flexible wires, straps, sutures or cables
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7067 Devices bearing against one or more spinous processes and also attached to another part of the spine; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8061 specially adapted for particular bones A61B17/70 and A61B17/74 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8076 for the ribs or the sternum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8085 with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence

Abstract

Systems, methods, and kits incorporating a clamp for securing to bone tissue. The clamp includes gripping members to secure the clamp to the bone tissue without the use of screws. The clamp may be used to treat spinal conditions, and may be secured to the spinous process of vertebrae. Systems, methods and kits can incorporate a fusion member configured to fuse between adjacent spinous processes.

Claims

1-112. -112. (canceled)

113. A system comprising:

a first anchor structure;

a second anchor structure;

a fusion member disposed between the first anchor structure and the second anchor structure; and

a tension member configured to apply tension between the first anchor structure and the second anchor structure.

114. The system of claim 113 wherein the fusion member is configured to be compressed between a first spinous process and a second spinous process during use.

115. The system of claim 114 wherein the fusion member comprises a bone allograft.

116. The system of claim 113 wherein the fusion member comprises a cage defining a volume.

117. The system of claim 116 wherein the fusion member further comprises a bone fragment disposed on the interior of the volume.

118. The system of claim 113 wherein the first anchor structure and the second anchor structure further comprise a cap configured to engage a bone structure.

119. The system of claim 113 wherein the first anchor structure and the second anchor structure further each comprise an gripping member configured to attach the first anchor structure and the second anchor structure to a bone structure.

120. The system of claim 113 wherein the tension member further comprises a cable having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first anchor structure and the second end coupled to the second anchor structure.

121. The system of claim 113 further comprising an alignment member coupled to the fusion member, wherein the alignment member is configured to align the fusion member between the first anchor member and the second anchor member.

122. The system of claim 113 further comprising a fastener configured to fasten the tension member to the first anchor structure and to the second anchor structure.

123. A method comprising:

positioning a fusion member in an interspinous space between a first spinous process and a second spinous process; and

fusing the fusion member to the first spinous process and the second spinous process.

124. The method of claim 123, further comprising compressing the fusion member between the first spinous process and the second spinous process.

125. The method of claim 123 further comprising:

affixing a first anchor structure to a first spinous process;

affixing a second anchor structure to a second spinous process; and

applying tension between the first anchor and the second anchor structure prior to positioning the fusion member in the interspinous space between the first spinous process and the second spinous process.

126. The method of claim 125 wherein affixing further comprises:

positioning the first and second anchor structures in proximity of the first and second spinous processes;

aligning the first and second anchor structures; and

clamping the first and second anchor structures to the first and second spinous processes respectively.

127. The method of claim 125 wherein applying tension further comprises:

coupling the first anchor structure to the second anchor structure by a tension member; and

applying a tension load between the first anchor structure and the second anchor structure with the tension member.

128. The method of claim 125 wherein applying tension further comprises:

threading a cable through one or more alignment guides; and

securing the cable at a predetermined tension load.

129. The method of claim 128 wherein the one or more alignment guides are integrated with at least one of the first anchor structure, the second anchor structure, and the fusion member.

130. The method of claim 123 further comprising disposing a fragment of bone within an interior portion of a volume defined by the fusion member.

131. The method of claim 123, further comprising distracting the interspinous space between the first spinous process and the second spinous process.

132. The method of claim 131, wherein distracting the interspinous space comprises:

coupling a first leverage member to the first spinous process;

coupling a second leverage member to the second spinous process; and

applying a first force to the first leverage member and a second force to the second leverage member.

134. The method of claim 132, wherein the first force is applied in a direction such that the first spinous member is moved farther away from the second spinous member.

135. The method of claim 132, wherein the second force is applied in a direction such that the second spinous member is moved farther away from the first spinous member.

136. The method of claim 123 wherein the fusion member comprises a tapered surface.

137. The method of claim 136, wherein distracting the interspinous space comprises inserting the fusion member between the first and second spinous process such that the tapered surface acts on at least one of the first and second spinous processes.

138. The method of claim 123, wherein the fusion member comprises a first concave portion configured to engage a first spinous process and wherein the fusion member comprises a second concave portion configured to engage a second spinous process.

139. The method of claim 138, wherein a plurality of apertures are located in the first concave portion and in the second concave portion.

140. The method of claim 123, wherein the fusion member is “

H”

-shaped when viewed from above in an installed position.

141. The method of claim 123, wherein the fusion member comprises a plurality of apertures.

142. The method of claim 123, further comprising coupling a stabilizing member to the first spinous process and the second spinous process.

143. The method of claim 142, wherein the stabilizing member is a plate and wherein coupling the stabilizing member to the first spinous process and the second spinous process comprises inserting threaded coupling members into the first and second spinous processes.

133. The method of clam 132 wherein the first force and the second force are applied via a ratcheting member placed between the first leverage member and the second leverage member.

144. A system comprising:

a fusion member configured for insertion between a first spinous process and a second spinous process; and

a securement device configured to secure the fusion member between the first spinous process and the second spinous process.

145. The system of claim 144, wherein the securement device is selected from the group consisting of:

a band, a plate, a pedicle screw, a pedicle screw system, a clamp, a bracket, a wire, a cable, and a prong.

146. The system of claim 144, wherein the fusion member comprises a cage.

147. The system of claim 144, wherein the fusion member comprises bone tissue.

148. The system of claim 144 further comprising an adjustment member configured to adjust the circumference of the loop, and wherein the securement device comprises a band that can be configured to form a loop around a first spinous process and a second spinous process.

149. The system of claim 148 wherein the band comprises a polymer.

150. The system of claim 149 wherein the polymer is a molded polymer.

151. The system of claim 148 wherein the band comprises an alignment member configured to engage a slot in the fusion member.

152. The system of claim 151 wherein the alignment member and the slot are engaged in a sliding fixation.

153. The system of claim 151 wherein the alignment member and the slot form a dovetail joint.

154. The system of claim 148 wherein the band comprises a plurality of openings configured to increase the flexibility of the band.

155. The system of claim 154 wherein the plurality of openings comprises parallel slots configured to extend partially around the circumference of the loop.

156. The system of claim 154 wherein the plurality of openings are located where the band is configured to engage a spinous process during use.

157. The system of claim 148 wherein the band comprises a narrowed portion configured to increase the flexibility of the band.

158. The system of claim 148 wherein the band comprises:

a first plurality of openings;

a second plurality of openings; and

a first narrowed portion, a second narrowed portion, a third narrowed portion and a fourth narrowed portion, wherein the first plurality of openings are located between the first and second narrowed portions and wherein the second plurality of openings are located between the third and fourth narrowed portions.

159. The system of claim 148 wherein the band comprises:

a first end;

a second end; and

a plurality of engagement members proximal to the first end.

160. The system of claim 159 further comprising a plurality of openings, wherein an engagement member is located between a pair of openings.

161. The system of claim 160 wherein the plurality of openings and the plurality of engagement members are arranged such that the openings and engagement members form a series of alternating openings and engagement members.

162. The system of claim 159 wherein the band comprises a retention member configured to retain the adjustment member.

163. The system of claim 162 wherein the adjustment member is configured to rotate within the retention member and adjust the circumference of the loop.

164. The system of claim 159 wherein the adjustment member is configured to engage the plurality of engagement members proximal to the end of the band.

165. The system of claim 159 wherein the adjustment member comprises a plurality of projections configured to engage the plurality of engagement members proximal to the end of the band.

166. The system of claim 159 further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the adjustment member to a locked position.

167. The system of claim 166 further comprising a ratchet mechanism, wherein the ratchet mechanism is configured to allow the adjustment member to reduce the circumference of the loop when the adjustment member is in the locked position.

168. The system of claim 166 wherein the adjustment member can be moved from the locked position to an unlocked position by overcoming a force exerted on the adjustment member by the biasing member.

169. The system of claim 168 wherein the adjustment member can be manipulated to increase the circumference of the loop when the adjustment member is in the unlocked position.

170. The system of claim 144 wherein the fusion member is configured to be compressed between a first spinous process and a second spinous process during use.

171. The system of claim 144 wherein the fusion member comprises a cage defining a volume.

172. The system of claim 171 wherein the cage comprises a plurality of cage apertures proximal to a spinous process during use.

173. The system of claim 171 wherein the fusion member further comprises a bone fragment disposed in the interior of the volume.

174. A system comprising:

a first fusion member configured for insertion between a first spinous process and a second spinous process;

a second fusion member configured for insertion between the second spinous process and a third spinous process;

a first band comprising a first end and a second end;

a second band comprising a first end and a second end; and

a first adjustment member, wherein;

the first band and the second band are configured to be coupled together to form a loop around the first and third spinous processes; and

the first adjustment member is configured to adjust the circumference of the loop.

175. The system of claim 174 wherein the first end of the second band is coupled to the second end of the first band via the first adjustment member and wherein the second end of the second band is coupled to the first end of the first band via the second adjustment member.

176. A fusion member comprising:

a body comprising a first end and a second end;

a first concave portion proximal to the first end, wherein the first concave portion is configured to engage a first spinous process; and

a second concave portion proximal to the second end, wherein the second concave portion is configured to engage a second spinous process.

177. The fusion member of claim 176, wherein the body of the fusion member comprises an “

H”

shape when viewed from above in an installed position.

178. The fusion member of claim 176, wherein the body of the fusion member comprises a plurality of apertures.

179. The fusion member of claim 176, wherein a plurality of apertures are in the first concave portion and in the second concave portion.

180. An interspinous member wherein the interspinous member is configured to engage adjacent spinous processes.

181. The interspinous member of claim 180 wherein the interspinous member comprises a first concave portion configured to engage a first spinous process and a second concave portion configured to engage a second spinous process.

182. A system comprising:

a fusion member configured for insertion between a first spinous process and a second spinous process;

a stabilizing member configured for coupling to the first spinous process and to the second spinous process; and

one or more coupling members configured to couple the stabilizing member to the first spinous process and the second spinous process.

183. The system of claim 182 wherein the fusion member comprises a tapered surface.

184. The system of claim 182, further comprising a first leverage member configured to couple to the first spinous process and a second leverage member configured to couple to the second spinous process.