SEGMENTED INSERT FOR INTERVERTEBRAL SUPPORT
First Claim
1. An intervertebral support system comprising:
- a rod for affixing in the body of a first vertebrae of a subject, and adapted to be inserted through a bore in the pedicle of a second one of said adjacent vertebra of said subject; and
a plurality of solid elements adapted to be strung onto said rod when fixed in the body of said first vertebra, and into the intervertebral region, said elements being of a generally elongated hollow shape and having initial dimensions such that it they are capable of passing through said bore, and being adapted to deploy in said intervertebral region to form a stack of elements, each of said elements when deployed having (a) a shape different from that which it had before being strung onto said rod, and (b) lateral dimensions substantially larger than that of said bore, such that said stack provides intervertebral support between two adjacent vertebrae of a subject.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A spinal intervertebral support implant, for fusion or for dynamic stabilization purposes. A rod, preferably in the form of a screw, is inserted obliquely from the pedicle of an inferior vertebra into the body of a neighboring superior vertebra, through the disc space. The rod can be anchored into the body of the superior vertebra by means of a force fit or a screw thread. A pile of elements is disposed on the rod in the disc space like a pile of washers, so that the compression load between vertebrae is carried partly by these elements. These elements can be inserted through the bore through which the rod was inserted in a tightly folded configuration, and deployed into their washer-like form only when in position in the intervertebral space, such that there is no need for any additional incisions.
125 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An intervertebral support system comprising:
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a rod for affixing in the body of a first vertebrae of a subject, and adapted to be inserted through a bore in the pedicle of a second one of said adjacent vertebra of said subject; and a plurality of solid elements adapted to be strung onto said rod when fixed in the body of said first vertebra, and into the intervertebral region, said elements being of a generally elongated hollow shape and having initial dimensions such that it they are capable of passing through said bore, and being adapted to deploy in said intervertebral region to form a stack of elements, each of said elements when deployed having (a) a shape different from that which it had before being strung onto said rod, and (b) lateral dimensions substantially larger than that of said bore, such that said stack provides intervertebral support between two adjacent vertebrae of a subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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4. (canceled)
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6. (canceled)
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18. A method of providing support between two adjacent vertebrae of a subject, said method comprising:
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providing a rod for affixing in the body of a first one of said vertebrae; drilling a bore in the pedicle of the second vertebra adjacent said first vertebra; inserting said rod through said bore and fixing it into the body of said first vertebra; providing a plurality of solid elements being of a generally elongated hollow shape and having initial dimensions such that they are capable of passing through said bore, each of said elements being adapted to deploy in said intervertebral region to a form an element having (a) a different shape from that before being strung onto said rod, and (b) lateral dimensions substantially larger than that of said bore; and stringing said elements onto said rod and into the intervertebral region, such that said elements can deploy therein to form a stack of elements providing intervertebral support between said two adjacent vertebrae of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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21. (canceled)
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23. (canceled)
Specification