Method and apparatus for spinal stabilization
First Claim
1. A method of limiting at least a first degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body while preserving at least a second degree of movement between the superior vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body of a patient, comprising:
- advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body; and
after advancing the distal end of the stabilization device into the pedicle of the inferior vertebral body, positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device such that the proximal portion limits at least a first, downward degree of movement between the superior vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body by abutting against a surface of an inferior articular process of the superior vertebral body such that motion between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies other than in the first, downward degree of movement is preserved.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body of a patient includes advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body. A proximal portion of the stabilization device is positioned such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body by contacting a surface of the superior vertebral body.
249 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of limiting at least a first degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and an inferior vertebral body while preserving at least a second degree of movement between the superior vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body of a patient, comprising:
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advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body; and after advancing the distal end of the stabilization device into the pedicle of the inferior vertebral body, positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device such that the proximal portion limits at least a first, downward degree of movement between the superior vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body by abutting against a surface of an inferior articular process of the superior vertebral body such that motion between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies other than in the first, downward degree of movement is preserved. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of limiting downward movement of a facet of a superior vertebral body with respect to an inferior vertebral body of a patient, comprising:
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advancing a distal end of a first stabilization device along a first axial path into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body; after advancing the distal end of the stabilization device along the first axial path into the pedicle of the inferior vertebral body, advancing a proximal portion of the first stabilization device over the first axial path to position a proximal portion of the first stabilization device such that the proximal portion abuts against a surface of a first inferior articular process of the superior adjacent vertebral body to limit downward movement of the superior vertebral body with respect to the inferior vertebral body; advancing a distal end of a second stabilization device along a second axial path into a pedicle of the inferior vertebral body such that it is positioned with bilateral symmetry with respect to the first stabilization device; and advancing a proximal portion of the second stabilization device along the second axial path such that the proximal portion abuts, with bilateral symmetry with respect to the first stabilization device, against a surface of a second inferior articular process of the superior adjacent vertebral body to limit downward movement of the superior vertebral body with respect to the inferior vertebral body. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification