FIXATION DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20100191336A1
• Filed: 01/26/2010
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P. (Alphatec Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P. (Alphatec Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: GREENHALGH, E. Skott
• Application Number:
  US12/694,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20100191336A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30492 using a locking pin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30522 releasable, e.g. using a releasable ratchet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30594 slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4677 using a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0091 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00101 Molybdenum or Mo-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00137 : Tungsten or W-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00952 : Coating, pre-coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of bone cement, e.g. pre-applied PMMA cement mantle
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/0097 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00976 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF

Abstract

An implantable orthopedic stability device is disclosed. The device can have a contracted and an expanded configuration. A method of using the device between adjacent vertebral surfaces for support and/or fixation of either or both of the adjacent vertebrae is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of using an orthopedic support device comprising:

inserting the support device into an orthopedic target site;

longitudinally contracting the device;

rotationally expanding the device during the longitudinal contraction of the device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a first plate and a second plate, and wherein the rotational expansion of the device comprises rotating the first plate with respect to the second plate.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein rotating the first plate with respect to the second plate comprises rotating the first plate with respect to the second plate about a rotational axis at the terminal end of the first plate.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the inserting of the support device comprises placing the first plate adjacent to a first vertebral body, and placing the second plate adjacent to a second vertebral body, wherein the first vertebral body is in a first vertebra immediately adjacent to a second vertebral body comprising the second vertebral body.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first plate is integral with the second plate.

6. A method of using an orthopedic support device comprising:

inserting the support device into an orthopedic target site, wherein the orthopedic target site is in a space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body;

pushing the first vertebral body away from the second vertebral body, wherein the pushing comprises rotating the first vertebral body with respect to the second vertebral body, and wherein pushing comprises longitudinally contracting the support device.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising rotationally expanding the device during the longitudinal contraction of the device.

8. An implantable orthopedic device having a longitudinal axis comprising:

a first plate,

a second plate, wherein a first end of the first plate is rotationally attached to a first end of the first plate, and

a third plate slidably interfacing between the first and second plates.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the first plate is integral with the second plate.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first plate is resiliently integral with the second plate.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the first plate is substantially parallel with the second plate when the device is in an unbiased configuration.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein a plane defined by the first plate forms an angle with a plane defined by the second plate, and wherein when the device is in a longitudinally contracted configuration, the angle is greater than about 5°

and less than about 45°

.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the third plate comprises a wedge, and wherein the wedge is configured to expand a second end of the first plate away from the second end of the second plate.