Devices and methods for dynamic fixation of skeletal structure
First Claim
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1. A method of stabilizing a vertebral column comprising:
- providing a first fixation assembly comprising at least first and second housing members, said first housing member comprising a top surface, a first internal bore configured to extend along a first axis from said top surface to an opposing bottom surface and a bone fastener at least partially seated therein, said bone fastener comprising a head segment that is configured to couple to a first segment of a driver;
advancing said bone fastener into a bony segment of said vertebral column using said driver;
seating a first segment of an interconnecting member within a second bore of said second housing member, said second housing member comprising a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and at least two opposing side surfaces, said second bore configured to extend from a first one of said side surfaces to an opposing one of said side surfaces; and
actuating a locking mechanism from a first to a second state, said locking mechanism configured to enable said first housing member to be movable relative to said bone fastener when in said first state and configured to cause said first housing member to be rigidly immobilized relative to said bone fastener when in said second state;
wherein said second housing member comprises a third bore configured to extend from said top surface to said bottom surface along a second axis and sized to permit advancement of said first segment of said driver therethrough;
wherein said second housing member is configured to movably couple with and to translate relative to said first housing member along a trajectory that is non-parallel to said first axis of said first housing member; and
wherein said second housing member is configured to assume one of a range of positions relative to said first housing member, at least one of said positions comprising said first axis of said first housing member being coaxially aligned with said second axis of said second housing member.
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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.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of stabilizing a vertebral column comprising:
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providing a first fixation assembly comprising at least first and second housing members, said first housing member comprising a top surface, a first internal bore configured to extend along a first axis from said top surface to an opposing bottom surface and a bone fastener at least partially seated therein, said bone fastener comprising a head segment that is configured to couple to a first segment of a driver; advancing said bone fastener into a bony segment of said vertebral column using said driver; seating a first segment of an interconnecting member within a second bore of said second housing member, said second housing member comprising a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and at least two opposing side surfaces, said second bore configured to extend from a first one of said side surfaces to an opposing one of said side surfaces; and actuating a locking mechanism from a first to a second state, said locking mechanism configured to enable said first housing member to be movable relative to said bone fastener when in said first state and configured to cause said first housing member to be rigidly immobilized relative to said bone fastener when in said second state; wherein said second housing member comprises a third bore configured to extend from said top surface to said bottom surface along a second axis and sized to permit advancement of said first segment of said driver therethrough; wherein said second housing member is configured to movably couple with and to translate relative to said first housing member along a trajectory that is non-parallel to said first axis of said first housing member; and wherein said second housing member is configured to assume one of a range of positions relative to said first housing member, at least one of said positions comprising said first axis of said first housing member being coaxially aligned with said second axis of said second housing member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of stabilizing a vertebral column comprising:
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providing a first fixation assembly comprising at least a first and second housing members, said first housing member comprising a top surface, a first internal bore configured to extend along a first axis from said top surface to an opposing bottom surface and a bone fastener at least partially seated therein, said bone fastener comprising a head segment that is configured to couple to a first segment of a driver; advancing said bone fastener into a bony segment of said vertebral column using said driver; seating a first segment of an interconnecting member within a second bore of said second housing member, said second housing member comprising a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and at least two opposing side surfaces, said second bore configured to extend from a first one of said side surfaces to an opposing one of said side surfaces; affixing a second segment of said interconnecting member onto a second bone fixation assembly; and transitioning a locking mechanism of said first fixation assembly from an unlocked state to a locked state; wherein said second housing member is configured to movably translate relative to said first housing member along a trajectory that is non-parallel to said first axis of said first housing member when said locking mechanism is in said unlocked state, and said second housing member is substantially immobilized relative to said first housing member when said locking mechanism in said locked state; wherein said second housing member comprises a third bore configured to extend from said top surface to said bottom surface along a second axis, said third bore sized to permit advancement of said first segment of said driver therethrough; and wherein said first housing member and said second housing member are configured to movably couple and to attain a range of positions relative to one another, at least one of said positions comprising said first axis of said first housing member being coaxially aligned with said second axis of said second housing member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of stabilizing a spine of a living subject, comprising:
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providing a fixation assembly comprising at least a first housing member, a second housing member and a bone fastener, said first housing member comprising a top surface, a first bore configured to extend along a first axis from said top surface to an opposing bottom surface and at least partially seating said bone fastener therein, said bone fastener comprising a head segment that is configured to couple to a first segment of a driver; advancing said bone fastener into a first bone of said vertebral column using said driver; seating a first segment of an interconnecting member within a second bore of said second housing member, said second housing member comprising a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and at least two opposing side surfaces, said second bore configured to extend from a first one of said side surfaces to an opposing one of said side surfaces, affixing a second segment of said interconnecting member onto a second bone fixation assembly; and transitioning a locking mechanism from a first to a second state, said locking mechanism configured to enable said interconnecting member to be movable relative to said bone fastener when in said first state and configured to cause said interconnecting member to be rigidly immobilized relative to said bone fastener when in said second state; wherein said second housing member comprises a third bore configured to extend from said top surface to said bottom surface along a second axis and sized to permit advancement of said first segment of said driver therethrough; wherein said second housing member is configured to movably translate relative to said first housing member along a trajectory that is non-parallel to said first axis of said first housing member; and wherein said second housing member is configured to assume one of a range of positions relative to said first housing member, at least one of said positions comprising said first axis of said first housing member being coaxially aligned with said second axis of said second housing member. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification