Method and apparatus for spinal stabilization

• US 7,998,176 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2008
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Interventional Spine, Inc (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Culbert, Brad S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene; Pedro
• Application Number:
  US12/134,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20080306537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 606/246, 606/301, 606/279, 606/264, 606/86.A, 606/248, 606/247, 606/328, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/279
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1664 for the hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1682 for the foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1686 for the hand or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/862 at the periphery of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/863 with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/864 hollow, e.g. with socket or cannulated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8883 the driver bit acting on the periphery of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8891 at its periphery

Abstract

A method and apparatus of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body, an inferior vertebral body, and an intermediate vertebral body that is disposed between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies of a patient. The method can comprise: advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the intermediate vertebral body; positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between the superior vertebral body and the intermediate vertebral body by contacting a surface of the superior vertebral body; and advancing a distal end of a fixation device into a facet of the intermediate vertebral body and into a facet or pedicle of the inferior vertebral body for stabilizing the intermediate vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body.

Claims

1. A method of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body, an intermediate vertebral body, and an inferior vertebral body of a patient, the intermediate vertebral body being disposed between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies, comprising:

advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the intermediate vertebral body;

positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between the superior vertebral body and the intermediate vertebral body by contacting a surface of the superior vertebral body; and

advancing a distal end of a fixation device into a facet of the intermediate vertebral body and into a facet or pedicle of the inferior vertebral body for stabilizing the intermediate vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device comprises advancing a proximal anchor distally over an elongated body of the stabilization device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of advancing a proximal anchor distally over an elongated body of the stabilization device comprises proximally retracting the elongated body with respect to the proximal anchor.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of advancing a proximal anchor distally over an elongated body of the stabilization device comprises applying a distal force to the proximal anchor.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the patient in a face down position during the step of advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into the pedicle of the intermediate vertebral body.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the intermediate vertebral body comprises advancing the distal end of the stabilization device through the pars of the intermediate vertebral body.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the intermediate vertebral body and positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device are accomplished through a minimally invasive surgical approach.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the intermediate vertebral body comprises rotating the distal end of the stabilization device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the intermediate vertebral body further comprises advancing the stabilization device over a guidewire.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the intermediate vertebral body further comprises advancing the stabilization device through an expanded tissue tract.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the superior vertebral is located caudal to the inferior superior body.

12. A method of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body, an intermediate vertebral body, and an inferior vertebral body of a patient, the intermediate vertebral body being disposed between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies, comprising:

advancing a distal end of a first stabilization device into a pedicle of the intermediate vertebral body;

positioning a proximal portion of the first stabilization device such that the proximal portion abuts against a surface of an intermediate articular process of the superior adjacent vertebral body to limit at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body and the intermediate vertebral body;

advancing a distal end of a second stabilization device into a pedicle of the intermediate vertebral body such that it is positioned with bilateral symmetry with respect to the first stabilization device;

positioning a proximal portion of the second stabilization device such that the proximal portion abuts, with bilateral symmetry with respect to the first stabilization device, against a surface of second intermediate articular process of the superior adjacent vertebral body to limit at least one degree of movement between the superior vertebral body and the intermediate vertebral body; and

advancing a distal end of a fixation device into a facet of the intermediate vertebral body and into a facet of the inferior vertebral body for stabilizing the intermediate vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second stabilization device limit flexion or extension between the superior vertebral body and the intermediate vertebral body.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second stabilization device limit lateral movement between the superior vertebral body and the intermediate vertebral body.