SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SPINAL STABILIZATION WITH FLEXIBLE ELEMENTS

• US 20110022093A1
• Filed: 10/05/2010
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lim, Roy, Sherman, Michael C., Foley, Kevin T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,414,620 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/254
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7004 with a cross-section which varies along its length A61B17/7019 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7031 made wholly or partly of flexible material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7032 Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7089 wherein insertion is along an arcuate path

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for spinal stabilization with flexible elements and other elements engaged to the vertebrae. Also provided are instruments and methods for insertion of the flexible stabilization elements and other elements and for reduction of displacement between adjacent vertebrae in a minimally invasive surgical approach.

Claims

1-43. -43. (canceled)

44. A kit for spinal stabilization, comprising:

a plurality of connecting elements, each of said plurality of connecting elements extending along a longitudinal axis and including a rigid first end portion, a rigid second end portion, and a flexible intermediate portion therebetween, said flexible intermediate portions being provided with a stiffness that varies from one connecting element to another.

45. The kit of claim 44, wherein said varying stiffness is provided by intermediate portions comprised of elastomers with differing hardness.

46. The kit of claim 44, wherein said varying stiffness is provided by intermediate portions with differing lengths along the connecting element.

47. The kit of claim 44, wherein said varying stiffness is provided by intermediate portions with differing cross-sectional areas transverse to a longitudinal axis of the connecting element.

48. The kit of claim 47, wherein said differing cross-sectional areas are provided by varying at least one of a size and a number of a plurality of bores extending along said intermediate portion.

49. The kit of claim 47, wherein said differing cross-sectional areas are provided by varying at least one of a size and number of bores extending in said intermediate portion transversely to the longitudinal axis.

50. The kit of claim 44, wherein said connecting elements each include a coupling member extending through said intermediate portion and engaged to said first and second end portions.

51. The kit of claim 50, wherein said varying stiffness is provided by differing tension pre-loads on said coupling members.

52. The kit of claim 51, wherein said varying stiffness is provided by differing diameters of said coupling members.

53-66. -66. (canceled)

67. A method for stabilizing a spinal motion segment, comprising:

securing a first anchor to a first vertebra;

securing a second anchor to a second vertebra;

securing a third anchor to a third vertebra;

positioning a connecting element between the first, second and third anchors, wherein the connecting element is a flexible between the first and second anchors and rigid between the second and third anchors; and

securing the connecting element to the first, second and third anchors.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein positioning the connecting element includes percutaneously guiding the connecting element to a location between the first, second and third anchors.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein percutaneously guiding the connecting element includes guiding the connecting element from a location remote from the first, second and third anchors along an insertion axis extending from the remote location and through the first, second and third anchors.

70. The method of claim 67, further comprising positioning a fusion device in a disc space between the second and third vertebrae.

71. The method of claim 67, wherein securing the connecting element includes securing rigid portions of the connecting element to the first, second and third anchors.

72. The method of claim 67, wherein the connecting element is curved along a longitudinal axis thereof, and positioning the connecting element includes orienting a convexly curved side of the curved connecting element toward the first, second and third vertebrae.

73. A method for stabilizing a spinal motion segment, comprising:

securing a first anchor to a first vertebra;

securing a second anchor to a second vertebra;

securing a third anchor to a third vertebra;

positioning a connecting element between the first, second and third anchors, wherein the connecting element is a flexible between the first and second anchors and flexible between the second and third anchors; and

securing rigid portions of the connecting element to the first, second and third anchors.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein positioning the connecting element includes percutaneously guiding the connecting element to a location between the first, second and third anchors.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein percutaneously guiding the connecting element includes guiding the connecting element from a location remote from the first, second and third anchors along an insertion axis extending from the remote location and through the first, second and third anchors.

76. The method of claim 73, wherein the connecting element is curved along a longitudinal axis thereof, and positioning the connecting element includes orienting a convexly curved side of the curved connecting element toward the first, second and third vertebrae.