Spinous process fusion plate assembly

• US 8,591,548 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2011
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Fiorella, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Merene, Jan Christopher
• Assistant Examiner(s): COTRONEO, STEVEN J
• Application Number:
  US13/077,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20120253393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 606246-249, 623 1711- 1716
• US Class Current: 606/249
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7068 Devices comprising separate rigid parts, assembled in situ, to bear on each side of spinous processes; Tools therefor

Abstract

A spinal implant helps stabilize vertebrae for fusion. The implant includes first and second plates, a brace and a locking mechanism. When installed, the plates extend superiorly-inferiorly along respective lateral sides of the spinous processes. The plates are moved toward one another and relative to the brace by the locking mechanism to clamp the implant to the spinous processes.

Claims

1. A spinal implant, comprising:

a first plate extending along a first longitudinal axis and having a first inner face configured to abut adjacent spinous processes and having projections extending from the first inner face;

a second plate extending along a second longitudinal axis and having a second inner face configured to abut the adjacent spinous processes and having projections extending from the second inner face;

a brace extending along a third longitudinal axis, the brace having a first diameter and including a flange fixed to a proximal end of the brace;

the first and second plates disposed along the brace such that the first and second longitudinal axes are transverse to the third longitudinal axis and the first inner face and the second inner face are oriented toward each other in spaced relation; and

a locking element engaging a distal end of the brace and longitudinally moveable relative to the brace such that longitudinal displacement of the locking element toward a proximal end of the brace modifies the brace such that a distal portion of the brace has a second diameter being greater than the first diameter and configured to prevent the second plate from being moved distally past a distal end of the brace,

wherein longitudinal displacement of the locking element toward the proximal end of the brace narrows a distance between the first plate and the second plate.

2. The spinal implant of claim 1 wherein a proximal portion of the brace is fixed to the first plate.

3. The spinal implant of claim 1 wherein the locking element includes a distal end defined by a knob having a tapered proximal portion and a rod extending proximally from the knob.

4. The spinal implant of claim 3 wherein the knob has a circular cross section.

5. The spinal implant of claim 4 wherein the rod is connected to the knob by a frangible connection.

6. The spinal implant of claim 3 wherein the knob has a tapered proximal portion.

7. The spinal implant of claim 3 wherein the knob defines a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter and less than the first diameter.

8. The spinal implant of claim 1 wherein the flange prevents the first plate from being moved proximally past the proximal end of the brace.

9. The spinal implant of claim 1 wherein the brace defines a first configuration wherein the brace has a distal portion with an outer diameter having an initial diameter and a second configuration wherein the outer diameter of the distal portion of the brace has a subsequent diameter and wherein the subsequent diameter is greater than the initial diameter.

10. The spinal implant of claim 9 wherein the initial diameter is less than the first diameter and the subsequent diameter is greater than the first diameter.

11. A spinal implant, comprising:

a first plate extending along a first longitudinal axis and having a first inner face configured to abut adjacent spinous processes and having projections extending from the first inner face and having a first opening extending therethrough along a medial portion of the first plate;

a second plate extending along a second longitudinal axis and having a second inner face configured to abut the adjacent spinous processes and having projections extending from the second inner face and having a second opening extending therethrough along a medial portion of the second plate, the second opening defining a first diameter;

a brace extending along a third longitudinal axis and adapted to be disposed in the second opening and having a proximal portion connected to the first plate adjacent to the first opening, the brace being formed from a deformable material and defining a lumen having a second diameter, the brace including a flange fixed to the proximal portion of the brace and being configured to prevent the first plate from proximally moving off the brace; and

a locking element adapted to be moveably disposed at least partially in the brace, the locking element further comprising a distal knob and a proximal rod connected to the distal knob,

wherein the brace defines a first configuration wherein the brace has a distal portion with an outer diameter having an initial diameter and a second configuration wherein the outer diameter of the distal portion of the brace has a subsequent diameter and wherein the subsequent diameter is greater than the initial diameter.

12. The spinal implant of claim 11 wherein the distal knob has a tapered proximal portion.

13. The spinal implant of claim 12 wherein the distal knob defines a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter and less than the first diameter.

14. The spinal implant of claim 11 wherein the proximal rod defines a length that is adapted to be shortened.

15. The spinal implant of claim 11 wherein the initial diameter is less than the first diameter and the subsequent diameter is greater than the first diameter.

16. A method for implanting a spinal implant into an interspinous space defined by a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process, comprising;

placing a first plate, having a first opening, adjacent to proximal lateral sides of the adjacent spinous processes;

placing a brace into the interspinous space, the brace including a flange fixed to a proximal portion of the brace preventing the first plate from proximally moving off the brace;

placing a second plate, having a second opening, adjacent to distal lateral sides of the adjacent spinous processes such that the brace extends through the second opening;

inserting a locking mechanism into a distal portion of the brace; and

moving the locking mechanism proximally to change the distance between the first plate and the second plate and to lock the implant with respect to the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process and to change the diameter of the brace along a distal portion of the brace from a first diameter to a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising changing the length of the locking mechanism from a first length to a second length wherein the second length is shorter than the first length.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising placing the brace through the first opening.