Method and implant for expanding a spinal canal
First Claim
1. A method for expanding a spinal canal, comprising:
- a. cutting a vertebra through to the spinal canal in at least one location;
b. separating each vertebral cut to expand the spinal canal;
c. securing each separated vertebral cut to allow the vertebra to heal with the spinal canal expanded.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention expands a spinal canal by making two pedicle cuts (osteotomies) in a vertebra, separating each vertebral cut by inserting an implant into the cut which expands the spinal canal, and securing each separated vertebral cut allowing the vertebra to heal with the spinal canal expanded. The implant includes two stents, two washers, two screws and a cable. One stent is impacted into each pedicle cut in the vertebra. One screw is inserted through one washer and one stent and is threaded into an anterior portion of the vertebra for each pedicle cut in the vertebra. The cable is attached at each end to a washer and is strapped around and through a posterior portion of the vertebra to secure the posterior portion of the vertebra to the anterior portion of the vertebra, stabilizing the expanded spinal canal and allowing the vertebra to heal with the spinal canal expanded.
337 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for expanding a spinal canal, comprising:
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a. cutting a vertebra through to the spinal canal in at least one location;
b. separating each vertebral cut to expand the spinal canal;
c. securing each separated vertebral cut to allow the vertebra to heal with the spinal canal expanded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for expanding a spinal canal, comprising:
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a. cutting a vertebra in two locations, one cut through each pedicle of the vertebra, beginning at a base of a transverse process of the vertebra and coursing medially and anteriorly through the pedicle to the spinal canal;
b. separating each vertebral cut by impacting a stent into each vertebral cut, whereby the spinal canal is expanded;
c. securing each separated vertebral cut by inserting a screw through a washer and the stent and threading the screw into an anterior portion of the vertebra; and
d. securing a posterior portion of the vertebra to the anterior portion of the vertebra by strapping a cable around the posterior portion of the vertebra, the cable being attached to a washer at each of its two ends. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An implant for expanding a spinal canal, comprising:
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a. a stent for insertion into a cut in the vertebra to expand the spinal canal; and
b. a screw inserted through the stent and threaded into the vertebra to secure the stent within the cut in the vertebra. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An implant for expanding a spinal canal, comprising:
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a. two stents, one stent inserted into each of two cuts in the vertebra, each inserted stent expanding the spinal canal;
b. two washers, one washer attached to each of two ends of a cable; and
c. two screws, one screw inserted through one washer and one stent, each screw being threaded into an anterior portion of the vertebra to secure one washer and one stent to the anterior portion of the vertebra, with the cable strapped around a posterior portion of the vertebra to secure the posterior portion of the vertebra to the anterior portion of the vertebra to stabilize the expanded spinal canal. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification