Devices and methods for dynamic fixation of skeletal structure
First Claim
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1. A method of stabilizing a spine, comprising:
- providing a first fixation assembly, the first fixation assembly comprising at least a first housing, an inner housing received within the first housing, a first bone screw, and a rod;
the inner housing configured to seat at least a portion of the rod;
securing the first fixation assembly to a first spine segment via the first bone screw; and
actuating a first locking mechanism of the first fixation assembly such that the rod thereof is substantially immobilized relative to the inner housing while the first bone screw is able to move from an initial orientation to a different orientation relative to the rod in response to application of a load on the first bone fixation assembly; and
actuating a second locking mechanism of the first fixation assembly such that the first bone screw thereof is substantially immobilized relative to the first housing; and
wherein the inner housing is configured to movably articulate within the first housing, when the second locking mechanism is in any configuration.
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Abstract
The disclosed screw assemblies include a screw that attaches onto the bone, a housing member that connects and inter-locks the bone screw to the rod, and one or more locking members that permit immobilization of various components of the assembly relative to one another while still permitting some relative movement. The bone screws and bone screw assemblies described herein permit flexible stabilization of the spine.
223 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of stabilizing a spine, comprising:
- providing a first fixation assembly, the first fixation assembly comprising at least a first housing, an inner housing received within the first housing, a first bone screw, and a rod;
the inner housing configured to seat at least a portion of the rod;
securing the first fixation assembly to a first spine segment via the first bone screw; and
actuating a first locking mechanism of the first fixation assembly such that the rod thereof is substantially immobilized relative to the inner housing while the first bone screw is able to move from an initial orientation to a different orientation relative to the rod in response to application of a load on the first bone fixation assembly; and
actuating a second locking mechanism of the first fixation assembly such that the first bone screw thereof is substantially immobilized relative to the first housing; and
wherein the inner housing is configured to movably articulate within the first housing, when the second locking mechanism is in any configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2)
- providing a first fixation assembly, the first fixation assembly comprising at least a first housing, an inner housing received within the first housing, a first bone screw, and a rod;
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3. A method for dynamic stabilization of a first vertebral bone and a second vertebral bone, comprising:
- affixing a first bone fixation member of a first bone fixation assembly onto said first vertebral bone;
affixing a second bone fixation member of a second bone fixation assembly onto said second vertebral bone;
receiving a first portion of a connecting member in a first housing member of said first bone fixation assembly, Said first housing member being at least partially seated within a first outer housing of said first bone fixation assembly, said first outer housing member further configured to receive said first bone fixation member;
receiving a second portion of said connecting member in a second housing member of said second bone fixation assembly, Said second housing member being at least partially seated within a second outer housing of said second bone fixation assembly, said second outer housing member further configured to receive said second bone fixation member;
actuating a first locking mechanism thereby substantially immobilizing said first bone fixation member relative to said first outer housing member; and
actuating a second locking mechanism thereby substantially immobilizing said second bone fixation member relative to said second outer housing member;
wherein said first and said second vertebral bones are configured to move relative one another after said first and second locking mechanisms are locked; and
wherein said first and second housing members of said respective first and second bone fixation assemblies are configured to movably articulate with said respective first outer housing and second outer housing when said respective first and second locking mechanism are in any configuration. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- affixing a first bone fixation member of a first bone fixation assembly onto said first vertebral bone;
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9. A method for dynamic stabilization of a first vertebral bone and a second vertebral bone, comprising:
- affixing a first bone fixation member of a first bone fixation assembly onto said first vertebral bone;
affixing a second bone fixation member of a second bone fixation assembly onto said second vertebral bone;
attaching a first segment of a connecting member onto a first housing member of said first bone fixation assembly, Said first housing member being at least partially seated within a first outer housing of said first bone fixation assembly and attaching a second segment of said connecting member onto a second housing member of said second bone fixation assembly, Said second housing member being at least partially seated within a second outer housing of said second bone fixation assembly;
transitioning respective first and second locking mechanisms of each of said first and second bone fixation assemblies into a locked configuration, said locked configuration causing each bone fixation member to be substantially immobilized relative to its seat within said bone fixation assembly, wherein at least some spinal movement is maintained between said first and second vertebral bones after said locking mechanisms are in said locked configuration;
wherein said first housing member is configured to be movably articulate with respect to said first bone fixation member when said first locking mechanism is in any configuration; andwherein a third locking mechanism is provided for use at a future operation, said third mechanism configured to be transitioned into a locked configuration, said locked configuration causing said first segment of said connecting member to be substantially immobilized relative to said first bone fixation member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- affixing a first bone fixation member of a first bone fixation assembly onto said first vertebral bone;
Specification