System and method for stabilizing of internal structures

• US 7,588,588 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2003
• Issued: 09/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Theken Spine LLC (Orthofix Medical Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Innovative Spinal Technologies, Inc. (Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Schorer, Scott, Spitler, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert; Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOFFMAN, MARY C
• Application Number:
  US10/690,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20050085813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,156 Days
• Field of Search: 606/61, 606 72- 73, 606246-279, 606300-331, 606/86.A, 606/104, 606/914, 606/916
• US Class Current: 606/246
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1655 for tapping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7002 Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7005 Parts of the longitudinal elements, e.g. their ends, being specially adapted to fit in the screw or hook heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/701 Longitudinal elements with a non-circular, e.g. rectangular, cross-section A61B17/7005, A61B17/7007 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7011 Longitudinal element being non-straight, e.g. curved, angled or branched adjustable length longitudinal elements A61B17/7014; A61B17/7019 takes precedence, e.g. coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7032 Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7037 wherein pivoting is blocked when the rod is clamped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7038 to a different extent in different directions, e.g. within one plane only
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7082 for driving, i.e. rotating, screws or screw parts specially adapted for spinal fixation, e.g. for driving polyaxial or tulip-headed screws driving other bone screws A61B17/8875
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7085 for insertion of a longitudinal element down one or more hollow screw or hook extensions, i.e. at least a part of the element within an extension has a component of movement parallel to the extension's axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/067 for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/914 Toolkit for installing or removing spinal positioner or stabilizer

Abstract

There is shown a system and method for reducing the difficulty in percutaneous placement of a spine stabilization brace. A medical implant system has a first bone anchor having a longitudinal axis, a second bone anchor and a brace. The brace couples the first bone anchor to the second bone anchor. A the distal end of the brace may be pivotally coupled to the first bone anchor and also adapted to slide in a generally transverse direction in relation to the longitudinal axis of the first bone anchor.

Claims

1. A medical implant system comprising:

a first bone anchor having a first proximal head and a first distal threaded shank;

a second bone anchor having a second proximal head and a second distal threaded shank; and

a brace assembly comprising;

a shell coupled to the first proximal head;

a brace having a longitudinal axis and a slot longitudinally displaced along the brace;

a pair of bearings displaced on opposite sides of the brace and positioned between the brace and the shell, each of the pair of bearings riding within the slot longitudinally displaced along the brace, wherein the bearings allow for slidingly adjusting and pivoting the brace relative to the first proximal head along at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the brace;

wherein the brace assembly farther comprises means for transmitting torque between the brace and the first distal threaded shank that includes a first key at a distal end of the brace temporarily mated to a recess area on the first proximal head.

2. A medical implant system comprising:

a first bone anchor having a first proximal head and a first distal threaded shank;

a second bone anchor having a second proximal head and a second distal threaded shank; and

a brace assembly comprising;

a shell coupled to the first proximal head;

a brace having a longitudinal axis and a slot longitudinally displaced along the brace;

a pair of bearings displaced on opposite sides of the brace and positioned between the brace and the shell, each of the pair of bearings riding within the slot longitudinally displaced along the brace, wherein the bearings allow for slidingly adjusting and pivoting the brace relative to the first proximal head along at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the brace; and

wherein the brace has a first position in which a longitudinal axis of the brace is generally in line with a longitudinal axis the first bone anchor and a second position in which the longitudinal axis of the brace is pivoted approximately 90 degrees from the first position.

3. A medical implant comprising:

a first bone anchor having a first proximal head and a first distal threaded shank; and

a brace assembly coupled to the first proximal head, the brace assembly comprising;

a brace having a first end portion and a second end portion; and

a pair of bearings displaced on opposite sides of the brace, each of the pair of bearings riding within a slot longitudinally displaced along the brace, wherein the brace has a first position in which a longitudinal axis of the brace is generally in line with a longitudinal axis of the first bone anchor and a second position in which the longitudinal axis of the brace is pivoted approximately 90 degrees from the first position.

4. The medical implant of claim 3 wherein the first proximal head is polyaxially coupled to the brace assembly.

5. The medical implant of claim 3 wherein the first end portion of the brace is at least partially ball shaped.

6. The medical implant of claim 3 wherein the brace is curved.