Apparatus for straightening spinal columns
First Claim
1. An apparatus for maintaining vertebrae in a desired relationship, said apparatus comprising an elongated plate having one side with surface means for engaging first and second vertebrae disposed on opposite sides of a third vertebra and for bridging the space between the first and second vertebrae, first fastener means for securing said plate to the first vertebra with said surface means in abutting engagement with the first vertebra, second fastener means for securing said plate to the second vertebra with said surface means in abutting engagement with the second vertebra, and third fastener means for securing said plate to the third vertebra with said surface means in abutting engagement with the third vertebra and with said plate spanning the space between the first and second vertebrae, said third fastener means including a force transmitting member and a nut, said force transmitting member having a first end portion which is received in an opening formed in the third vertebra to connect the force transmitting member with the third vertebra and a second end portion which extends through an opening in said plate and has an external thread, said nut being disposed in engagement with the external thread on said second end portion of said force transmitting member and with said plate, said nut being rotatable relative to said force transmitting member and said plate to press the third vertebra against said plate without rotating said force transmitting member relative to the third vertebra.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved apparatus is provided to reduce the extent of displacement between adjacent vertebrae in a person'"'"'s spinal column and to subsequently maintain the vertebrae in a reduced displacement relationship. When the apparatus is to be installed, holes are formed in the displaced vertebra and in vetebrae on opposite sides of the displaced vertebra. Force transmitting members are mounted in the holes in the vertebrae. A spinal plate is then positioned on the spinal column with the force transmitting members extending outwardly through slots in the spinal plate. Nuts are tightened on the force transmitting members connected with vertebrae on opposite sides of the displaced vertebra to anchor the spinal plate in place. A nut on the force transmitting member connected with the displaced vertebra is then tightened to pull the displaced vertebra to a desired position. In one embodiment of the invention, the force transmitting member has a relatively large diameter helix which engages a side wall of the hole in the displaced vertebra. In another embodiment of the invention, an insert is positioned in a hole in the displaced vertebra and expanded by the force transmitting member to securely grip the vertebra.
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Citations
8 Claims
- 1. An apparatus for maintaining vertebrae in a desired relationship, said apparatus comprising an elongated plate having one side with surface means for engaging first and second vertebrae disposed on opposite sides of a third vertebra and for bridging the space between the first and second vertebrae, first fastener means for securing said plate to the first vertebra with said surface means in abutting engagement with the first vertebra, second fastener means for securing said plate to the second vertebra with said surface means in abutting engagement with the second vertebra, and third fastener means for securing said plate to the third vertebra with said surface means in abutting engagement with the third vertebra and with said plate spanning the space between the first and second vertebrae, said third fastener means including a force transmitting member and a nut, said force transmitting member having a first end portion which is received in an opening formed in the third vertebra to connect the force transmitting member with the third vertebra and a second end portion which extends through an opening in said plate and has an external thread, said nut being disposed in engagement with the external thread on said second end portion of said force transmitting member and with said plate, said nut being rotatable relative to said force transmitting member and said plate to press the third vertebra against said plate without rotating said force transmitting member relative to the third vertebra.
Specification