Intervertebral stabilization implant

• US 4,479,491 A
• Filed: 07/26/1982
• Issued: 10/30/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Felix M. Martin
• Original Assignee: Felix M. Martin
• Inventors: Martin, Felix M.
• Primary Examiner(s): FRINKS, RONALD
• Application Number:
  US06/401,845
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 3/1.91, 128/92 R, 128/92 B, 128/92 D, 128/92 E, 128/69
• US Class Current: 606/279
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7071 Implants for expanding or repairing the vertebral arch or wedged between laminae or pedicles; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7074 Tools specially adapted for spinal fixation operations other than for bone removal or filler handling A61B17/7062, A61B17/808, A61B17/8858 take precedence; for spinal image producing devices A61B90/36, A61B34/20; markers A61B90/39
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455

Abstract

An intervertebral stabilization implant is described including an elongated central portion and a pair of reverse wings disposed at an angle of between 75° and 80° with respect to the elongated central portion of the implant. The method of utilizing the implant is also disclosed including exposing the pre-vertebral space as would be done in a Cloward'"'"'s procedure. The vertebral disks below the luxating vertebra is widely resected, avoiding if at all possible the use of the intervertebral spreader. The A-P diameter of the vertebral bodies are measured and the intervertebral stabilizing implant of proper length is elected taking into account a small correction of the luxation of up to 2 millimeters maximum, which would upset the compression effect of the retaining wings over soft tissue and bone. The implant is inserted sideways, utlizing no force. After the posterior wing is barely in the canal it is rotated 90° so that the posterior wing rests behind the lower vertebra and the superior or anterior wing is in front of the reduced vertebra.

Claims

1. An implant for the stabilization of a fractured and luxated cervical vertebra comprising:

a retaining member having a longitudinal portion extending at least the distance between the posterior of the body of a cervical vertebra adjacent to the fractured and luxated vertebra and the anterior of the body of the fractured or luxated cervical vertebra;

a posterior wing downwardly disposed at an angle at one end of the longitudinal portion and adapted to be engaged by the posterior edge of the body of the adjacent cervical vertebra and a superior wing upwardly disposed at an angle at the other end of the longitudinal portion of said superior wing adapted to engage the superior edge the body portion of the fractured or luxated vertebra whereby the natural action of the muscles associated with the neck maintain the fractured or luxated vertebra in compression against the superior wing and the posterior wing engages the body portion of the adjacent vertebra to prevent slippage.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein said retaining member made of surgical metal.

3. The implant of claim 1 wherein said posterior wing is downwardly disposed at an angle between 75 degrees and 80 degrees from the longitudinal portion.

4. The implant of claim 1 wherein said superior wing is upwardly disposed at an angle between 75 degrees and 80 degrees at the other end of the longitudinal portion.

5. A method of stabilizing a fractured or luxated cervical vertebra comprising the steps of:

exposing the pre-vertebral space;

widely resecting the intervertebral disk in the intervertebral space; and

coupling the anterior portion of the body of the fractured and luxated vertebra to the posterior portion of the body of an adjacent lower vertebra.