Composite spinal rod

• US 20090287251A1
• Filed: 05/13/2009
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Stryker Spine
• Inventors: Bae, Hyun, Bagga, Charanpreet S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,017,384 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/254
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7005 Parts of the longitudinal elements, e.g. their ends, being specially adapted to fit in the screw or hook heads
• 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 17/7014 with means for adjusting the distance between two screws or hooks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7026 with a part that is flexible due to its form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7028 the flexible part being a coil spring
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7031 made wholly or partly of flexible material

Abstract

A spinal rod including an elongated flexible component and a reinforcing component, the reinforcing component being resistant to damage from compressive forces and disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of the flexible component so as to define at least one compression slot.

Claims

1. A spinal rod, comprising:

an elongated flexible component, and

a reinforcing component, the reinforcing component being resistant to damage from compressive forces;

wherein the reinforcing component is disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of the flexible component so as to define at least one compression slot.

2. The spinal rod of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing element is disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of the flexible component so as to define a space between the flexible component and the reinforcing component.

3. The spinal rod of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing component includes a screw contact surface configured to facilitate contact with an attachment.

4. The spinal rod of claim 3, wherein the contact surface is treated so as to facilitate contact with a pedicle screw.

5. The spinal rod of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing component is at least two separate reinforcing elements.

6. The spinal rod of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing component is at least partially embedded in the surface of the flexible component.

7. The spinal rod of claim 1, wherein the flexible component has a gradient of flexibility along at least a portion of its length.

8. The spinal rod of claim 1, wherein the flexible component has a plurality of sections and wherein the flexibility of one section differs from the flexibility of at least one other section.

16. A method for connecting and stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising:

providing the spinal rod of claim 1;

providing a surgical field of view for insertion of the spinal rod;

connecting the spinal rod to adjacent vertebrae.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the connecting step includes connecting pedicle screws to vertebrae and connecting the pedicle screws to the spinal rod.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the pedicle screws are connected to the spinal rod at a position on the spinal rod where compressive forces imposed by the pedicle screws on the spinal rod are transferred via the reinforcing component transversely across the flexible component, wherein the reinforcing component provides stress shielding for the flexible component.

19. A kit for use in connecting and stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, the kit comprising:

at least one spinal rod of claim 1;

at least one pedicle screw.

20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the at least one spinal rod is multiple spinal rods and the at least one pedicle screw is multiple pedicle screws, the kit further comprising at least one instrument or tool associated with the use of the spinal rods and the pedicle screws.

9. A spinal rod, comprising:

an elongated flexible component, and

a reinforcing component, the reinforcing component being resistant to damage from compressive forces;

wherein the reinforcing element comprises an upper bracket, an opposing lower bracket, and a connecting pin extending therebetween.

10. The spinal rod of claim 9, wherein the connecting pin is disposed transversely through the flexible component, each end of the connecting pin being directed toward the upper bracket or the lower bracket, at least one of the upper bracket and the connecting pin or the lower bracket and the connecting pin defining a compression space.

11. The spinal rod of claim 9, wherein at least one of the upper bracket and the lower bracket is at least partially embedded in the surface of the flexible component.

12. The spinal rod of claim 9, wherein at least one edge of the upper and lower bracket is tapered, and wherein the tapered edge creates a gradient of compressive stress shielding for the underlying flexible component.

13. The spinal rod of claim 9, wherein the reinforcing component is at least two separate reinforcing elements.

14. The spinal rod of claim 9, wherein the flexible component has a gradient of flexibility along at least a portion of its length.

15. The spinal rod of claim 9, wherein the flexible component has a plurality of sections and wherein the flexibility of one section differs from the flexibility of at least one other section.