Method and apparatus for spinal stabilization
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of limiting extension between inferior and superior body structures of a spine, comprising:
- inserting a stabilization device into a patient;
threadably coupling a distal end of a distal portion of the stabilization device only to the inferior body structure of the spine, the stabilization device defining an insertion axis;
advancing a proximal portion of the stabilization device over the distal portion of the stabilization device along the insertion axis toward the distal end of the stabilization device such that an exterior surface of the proximal portion that faces away from a central longitudinal axis of the stabilization device, abuts an inferior facet of an adjacent superior vertebra to limit downward movement of the inferior facet relative to the inferior body structure but permits upward movement of the inferior facet relative to the inferior body structure.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae of a patient includes advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebrae. A proximal portion of the stabilization device is positioned such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae by contacting a surface of the superior vertebrae.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method of limiting extension between inferior and superior body structures of a spine, comprising:
-
inserting a stabilization device into a patient; threadably coupling a distal end of a distal portion of the stabilization device only to the inferior body structure of the spine, the stabilization device defining an insertion axis; advancing a proximal portion of the stabilization device over the distal portion of the stabilization device along the insertion axis toward the distal end of the stabilization device such that an exterior surface of the proximal portion that faces away from a central longitudinal axis of the stabilization device, abuts an inferior facet of an adjacent superior vertebra to limit downward movement of the inferior facet relative to the inferior body structure but permits upward movement of the inferior facet relative to the inferior body structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra of a patient, comprising:
-
providing a complementary interface on a facet of the superior vertebra; advancing a distal end of a distal portion of a stabilization device into the inferior vertebra, the stabilization device defining an insertion axis; advancing a proximal portion of the stabilization device over the distal portion stabilization device along the insertion axis toward the distal end of the stabilization device such that an exterior surface of the proximal face that faces away from a central longitudinal axis of the proximal portion, abuts against the complementary interface on the facet of the superior vertebra to limit at least one degree of movement between the superior vertebra and the inferior vertebra, while permitting upward movement of the interface with respect to the proximal portion of the stabilization device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A method of stabilizing a spine, comprising:
-
providing a patient in whom a stabilization device has been implanted in an inferior vertebral body such that the stabilization device limits downward movement of a facet on a superior vertebral body relative to the inferior vertebral body while not limiting another degree of movement between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies; and in a subsequent procedure, using at least a portion of the stabilization device to support a spinal fixation device configured to allow substantially no movement between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
-
Specification