Facet screw anchor
First Claim
1. A system for stabilizing the thoracolumbar and lumbar region of the spine and for fixing an inferior vertebra to a superior vertebra, comprising:
- a first facet screw adapted to extend through the inferior facet of the superior vertebra lateral to the sagittal plane and to extend into the base of the transverse process of the inferior vertebra;
a fixation bar operably secured to said screw so as to prevent toggling of the said screw relative to said bar, said bar having a finger configured and arranged to extend in a superior direction across the dorsal side of the transverse process of the superior vertebra, said finger adapted to wrap around the superior aspect of the pedicle of the superior vertebra and extend in an anterior direction and preferably thereafter in an anterior and inferior direction to terminate in a hook.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spinal fixation system comprises a pair of facet screws that extend through the facet joint from the inferior facet of a superior vertebra and into the base of the transverse process of the immediately inferior vertebra. A pair of stabilizing bars are operatively coupled to the screws adjacent their heads. The bars carry fingers that extend in a superior direction and loop over the superior aspect of the pedicle of the superior vertebra. The stabilizing bars thus stabilize the facet screws and prevent their tendency to toggle, thereby conjunctively stabilizing the superior vertebra to the immediately inferior vertebra, for example, to facilitate the healing of a fusion.
688 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A system for stabilizing the thoracolumbar and lumbar region of the spine and for fixing an inferior vertebra to a superior vertebra, comprising:
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a first facet screw adapted to extend through the inferior facet of the superior vertebra lateral to the sagittal plane and to extend into the base of the transverse process of the inferior vertebra; a fixation bar operably secured to said screw so as to prevent toggling of the said screw relative to said bar, said bar having a finger configured and arranged to extend in a superior direction across the dorsal side of the transverse process of the superior vertebra, said finger adapted to wrap around the superior aspect of the pedicle of the superior vertebra and extend in an anterior direction and preferably thereafter in an anterior and inferior direction to terminate in a hook. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification