Protection device

• US 6,454,767 B2
• Filed: 02/08/1999
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Prospine, Inc.
• Inventors: Alleyne, Neville
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US09/246,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20020010466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 128/846, 128/888, 128/889, 606/60, 606/61
• US Class Current: 606/279
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets A61B18/00 takes precedence; contraceptive devices, pessaries, or applicators therefor A61F6/00; eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0816 for preventing adhesion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/00 Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges protective face masks A41D13/11; surgeon's or patient's gowns or dresses A41D13/12; devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body liquids A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/907 Composed of particular material or coated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/91 Polymer

Abstract

A spinal protection device is provided which minimizes the formation of post-operative adhesions. The protection device may comprise a fenestrated shield, and may be positioned such that contact between the shield and the spinal dura is substantially avoided.

Claims

1. A surgical kit comprising:

at least one shield adapted to cover a bony dissection in the spine of a vertebrate, said shield comprising attachment ports proximate to an edge of said shield and configured to accept attachment pins for attaching said shield to bone, said shield also comprising fenestrations, and said shield comprising an elongate concavity for maintaining said shield away from the spinal dura following installation, and

a plurality of attachment pins for attaching said shield to bone.

2. The surgical kit of claim 1, wherein said shield is at least partially prepared from bioerodable material.

3. A surgical kit comprising:

at least one shield adapted to cover a bony dissection in the spine of a vertebrate, said shield comprising attachment ports proximate to an edge of said shield and configured to accept attachment pins for attaching said shield to bone, said shield also comprising fenestrations, and wherein said shield is substantially pliable, and

a plurality of attachment pins for attaching said shield to bone.

4. The surgical kit of claim 3, wherein said shield is at least partially prepared from bioerodable material.

5. A protection device comprising:

a substantially pliable shield adapted to cover a bony dissection in the spine of a vertebrate, said shield having an elongate concavity extending axially along said shield, said a first support plane spaced laterally apart from the longitudinal axis of said shield in a first direction, a second support plane spaced laterally apart from the longitudinal axis of said shield in a second direction, said shield further comprising attachment arms for attaching said shield to bone configured such that said support planes can contact portions of said spine while contact between the spinal dura and the entire protection device is substantially avoided, wherein said shield is at least partially prepared from bioerodable material.

6. A method of performing spinal surgery comprising the steps of:

performing a bony dissection on at least a portion of one vertebrae to expose the spinal dura; and

positioning a bioerodable shield to cover said exposed spinal dura, wherein said shield covers at least a portion of one vertebrae having said bony dissection, wherein said shield is spaced apart from the spinal dura.