Spine fixation device and method
First Claim
1. A device that immobilizes vertebral bodies by immobilizing respective spinous processes extending therefrom, comprising:
- a spacer adapted to be positioned between adjacent spinous processes;
a body connected with the spacer such that the position of the spacer can be adjusted relative to the body; and
a strap connected with the body and adapted to engage the adjacent spinous processes.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a device and method that immobilizes the vertebral bodies by immobilizing the respective spinous process extending therefrom. The device contains a spacer extending from a body with the spacer adapted to be positioned between adjacent spinous processes so that the spacer may be located close to the spine. A strap connected with the body is designed to engage the spinous processes, such that the device may be adjusted to be positioned about the spinous processes. The device ensures that the spacer remains positioned between adjacent spinous processes. The method to insert the device minimizes destruction to body tissue, thus it is less traumatic to the patient and allows for the patient to recover from the procedure faster than conventional methods.
826 Citations
52 Claims
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1. A device that immobilizes vertebral bodies by immobilizing respective spinous processes extending therefrom, comprising:
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a spacer adapted to be positioned between adjacent spinous processes;
a body connected with the spacer such that the position of the spacer can be adjusted relative to the body; and
a strap connected with the body and adapted to engage the adjacent spinous processes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for rigidly positioning adjacent spinous processes, including the steps, in any order, of:
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placing a spacer connected with a body between adjacent spinous processes by inserting the spacer between the spinous processes;
adjusting the position of the spacer relative to the body;
positioning a strap connected with the body around adjacent spinous processes; and
securing the strap to the body. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for rigidly positioning adjacent spinous processes, including the steps, in any order, of:
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placing a spacer by a body between adjacent spinous processes by inserting the spacer between the spinous processes positioning a strap secured to the body around adjacent spinous processes;
securing the strap to the body; and
whereby an interlocking end of the strap engages at least one receiving member of the body, and the additional step of causing the interlocking end of the strap and the receiving member of the body to interlock together so that the strap is fastened to adjacent spinous processes; and
whereby securing the strap to the body includes engaging the interlocking end of the strap with a receiving member of the body by placing a ball at the end of the interlocking end of the strap into at least one of a plurality of receiving holes of the body so that the strap is held in place.
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29. A method for rigidly positioning adjacent spinous processes, including the steps, in any order, of:
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placing a spacer supported by a body between adjacent spinous processes by inserting the spacer between the spinous processes from one side of the spinous processes, thus injuring less body material and allowing the patient to recover faster;
adjusting the position of the spacer relative to the body;
positioning a strap connected with the body around adjacent spinous processes; and
securing the strap to the body. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for rigidly positioning adjacent spinous processes, including the steps, in any order, of:
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placing a spacer supported by a body between adjacent spinous processes by inserting the spacer between the spinous processes from one side of the spinous processes, thus injuring less body material and allowing the patient to recover faster;
positioning a strap secured to the body around adjacent spinous processes;
securing the strap to the body; and
whereby the securing step includes securing the strap to the body by engaging an interlocking end of the strap with a receiving member of the body by placing a ball at the end of the interlocking end of the strap into at least one of a plurality of receiving holes of the body so that the strap is held in place.
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39. A device that immobilizes vertebral bodies by immobilizing respective spinous processes extending therefrom, comprising:
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a spacer that is adapted to be placed between the spinous processes;
a strap that is adapted to be placed about the spinous processes; and
a body that couples the spacer to the strap with the spacer offset from the strap along a sagittal plane so that the spacer can be placed closer to a spine than the strap. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A device that immobilizes vertebral bodies by immobilizing respective spinous processes extending therefrom, comprising:
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a spacer that is adapted to be placed between the spinous processes;
a strap that is adapted to be placed about the spinous processes;
a body that couples the spacer to the strap with the spacer offset from the strap so that the spacer can be placed closer to a spine than the strap; and
wherein the spacer is rotatably mounted to the body.
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47. A device that immobilizes vertebral bodies by immobilizing respective spinous processes extending therefrom, comprising:
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a spacer that is adapted to be placed between the spinous processes;
a strap that is adapted to be placed about the spinous processes;
a body that couples the spacer to the strap with the spacer offset from the strap so that the spacer can be placed closer to a spine than the strap; and
wherein the body includes a member extending therefrom, with the spacer rotatably mounted to the member. - View Dependent Claims (48)
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49. A device that immobilizes vertebral bodies by immobilizing respective spinous processes extending therefrom, comprising:
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a spacer that is adapted to be placed between the spinous processes;
a strap that is adapted to be placed about the spinous processes;
a body that couples the spacer to the strap with the spacer offset from the strap so that the spacer can be placed closer to a spine than the strap; and
wherein the strap has a fastener that tightens the strap.
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50. A device that immobilizes vertebral bodies by immobilizing respective spinous processes extending therefrom, comprising:
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a spacer that is adapted to be placed between the spinous processes;
a strap that is adapted to be placed about the spinous processes;
a body that couples the spacer to the strap; and
wherein the spacer is rotatably mounted to the body.
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51. A device that immobilizes vertebral bodies by immobilizing respective spinous processes extending therefrom, comprising:
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a spacer that is adapted to be placed between the spinous processes;
a strap that is adapted to be placed about the spinous processes, said strap defining a plane;
a body that couples the spacer to the strap; and
wherein the body includes a member extending therefrom, with the spacer rotatably mounted to the member.
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52. A device that immobilizes vertebral bodies by immobilizing respective spinous processes extending therefrom, comprising:
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a spacer that is adapted to be placed between the spinous processes;
a strap that is adapted to be placed about the spinous processes, said strap defining a plane;
a body that couples the spacer to the strap with the spacer offset from the strap so that the spacer can be placed closer to a spine than the strap; and
wherein the spacer has an axis that is parallel to the plane defined by the strap.
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Specification