Bone fixation cable ferrule

• US 5,989,256 A
• Filed: 01/19/1999
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Spineology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Spineology Incorporated
• Inventors: Peterson, Francis, Kuslich, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Woo, Julian W.
• Application Number:
  US09/232,962
• Time in Patent Office: 308 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606/72, 606/73, 606/74, 606/103, D 4/199, 411/393, 411/395, 403/362, 623/13, 623/17
• US Class Current: 606/74
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7022 Tethers, i.e. longitudinal elements capable of transmitting tension only, e.g. straps, sutures or cables A61B17/702 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7062 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs rib fixation devices A61B17/8076; Tools for such devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/82 for bone cerclage apparatus for manipulating wires or straps A61B17/8861; wires, bands or straps other than cerclage A61B17/842

Abstract

A ferrule for insertion in an opening cut through a vertebral spinous process functions as a guide for a connecting cable, preventing cutting into the bone by the cable and protecting the cable from breakage.

Claims

1. A system for protecting a vertebral spinous process from being cut when cabling together spinous process in a patient in need of such cabling, the system comprising:

(a) a pair of ferrules, each of said ferrules including;

a generally cylindrical, hollow main body having a proximal and a distal end, said main body having an exterior and interior surface;

a bore extending through said main body through said distal and proximal ends;

at least one of said proximal and distal ends of each said ferrule including a tool-engaging member leading into the bore of each said ferrule;

said ferrule including bone engagement members on said exterior surface of said main body; and

(b) a cable extending through the bore of said ferrules, said cable forming a closed loop.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bone engagement members are threads.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said main body has a radiused entry into said bore to minimize strain on a cable passing across and end into said bore.

4. A system for protecting a bone from being cut when cabling together a bone to a bone in a patient in need of such cabling, the system comprising:

(a) a pair of ferrules, each of said ferrules including;

a generally cylindrical, hollow main body having a proximal and a distal end, said main body having an exterior and interior surface;

a bore extending through said main body through said distal and proximal ends;

at least one of said proximal and distal ends of each said ferrule including a tool-engaging member leading into the bore of each said ferrule;

said ferrule including bone engagement members on said exterior surface of said main body; and

(b) a cable extending through the bore of said ferrules, said cable forming a closed loop.

5. A method for connecting adjacent vertebra in a patient in need of such treatment comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a hole through the spinous process in adjacent vertebra;

(b) inserting a hollow, externally threaded ferrule into each hole thus formed, each said ferrule including a bore extending from a proximal to a distal end, at least one of said proximal and distal ends of said ferrule including a pair of opposed, tool-engaging slots leading into the bore of said ferrule;

(c) threading a cable through the bores of said ferrules;

(d) connecting the ends of said cable such that tension is applied to the adjacent vertebra.

6. A method for connecting bone to bone in a patient in need of such treatment comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a hole in each bone to be joined;

(b) inserting a hollow, externally threaded ferrule into each hole thus formed, each said ferrule including a bore extending from a proximal to a distal end, at least one of said proximal and distal ends of said ferrule including a tool-engaging member leading into the bore of said ferrule;

(c) threading a cable through the bores of said ferrules;

(d) connecting the ends of said cable such that tension is applied to each bone.

7. An apparatus for protecting bone from being cut when cabling together a bone to a bone in a patient in need of such cabling, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a generally cylindrical, hollow ferrule having a main body having a proximal and a distal end, said main body having an exterior and interior surface, said main body including a radiused entry at both proximal and distal ends to minimize strain on a cable passing transversely across said ends;

(b) a bore extending through said main body through said distal and proximal ends;

(c) at least one of said proximal and distal ends of said ferrule including a tool-engaging member leading into the bore of said ferrule; and

(d) said ferrule including bone engagement members on said exterior surface of said main body.