Interspinous segmental spine fixation device

• US 5,496,318 A
• Filed: 08/18/1993
• Issued: 03/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Encore Medical Asset Corporation (Enovis Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Spine Fixation Systems, Inc. (Enovis Corp.)
• Inventors: Pettine, Kenneth, Salib, Richard M., Howland, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANLON, BRIAN EMMETT
• Application Number:
  US08/108,974
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 606/60, 606/61, 606/53, 606/105, 606/74, 606/90, 623/17, 403/291, 403/316, 24/16 R, 24/168, 24/163 K, 24/335, 24/346, 24/324
• US Class Current: 606/249
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7053 with parts attached to bones or to each other by flexible wires, straps, sutures or cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7068 Devices comprising separate rigid parts, assembled in situ, to bear on each side of spinous processes; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7071 Implants for expanding or repairing the vertebral arch or wedged between laminae or pedicles; Tools therefor

Abstract

A spinal fixation device and method for the stabilization of the spine after surgical procedures such as those related to degenerative disc diseases are described. The device comprises a spacer, which is placed between adjacent vertebrae when installed and a locking mechanism attached to the spacer. The locking mechanism attaches the device to the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae of the spine in a manner which is non-invasive with respect to the vertebrae to which it is attached.

Claims

1. A spinal fixation device comprising:

an H-shaped spacer for insertion between adjacent spinous processes comprising a first element forming one side of the H-shape and a second element forming another side of the H shape wherein the first element interlocks with the second element at the crossbar of the H-shape;

a belt, wherein the belt is of sufficient length to encircle adjacent spinous processes and an installed spacer; and

means of attaching the belt to the outside of the spacer.

2. A spinal fixation device as recited in claim 1 wherein the spacer comprises ultra high density polyethylene.

3. A spinal fixation device as recited in claim 1 wherein the belt comprises a flat, woven, stainless steel material.

4. A spinal fixation device as recited in claim 3 wherein the stainless steel belt has a width of about 6 mm.

5. A spinal fixation device as recited in claim 1 wherein the H-shaped spacer further comprises a foot section extending from the spacer for abutting the vertebrae when installed.

6. A spinal fixation device as recited in claim 5 wherein the foot section has an inverted V-shape.

7. A spinal fixation device comprising:

a spacer for insertion between adjacent spinous processes comprising;

a first element having a head section attached to an inverted V-shaped foot section for abutting the vertebrae when installed; and

a second element for attaching to the first element; and

a locking mechanism attached to the outside of the spacer, wherein the locking mechanism is capable of attaching the device to spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae of a spine.

8. A spinal fixation device as recited in claim 7 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a stainless steel belt.

9. A spinal fixation device as recited in claim 8 wherein the stainless steel belt has a width of about 6 mm.