Six degree spine stabilization devices and methods
AssigneeGlobus Medical, Inc.
InventorsJeff Bennett, Edward Dwyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An implant stabilizes two adjacent bones of a joint, while enabling a natural kinematic relative movement of the bones. Support components are connected to each bone of the joint, and a flexible core is interposed between them. The core and at least one of the support components are provided with a smooth sliding surface upon which the core and support component may slide relative to each other, enabling a corresponding movement of the bones. The surfaces may have a mating curvature, to mimic a natural movement of the joint. The core is resilient, and may bend or compress, enabling the bones to move towards each other, and or to bend relative to each other.
Claims13
An implantable system comprising:
- a first engagement plate comprising a first core engagement surface, wherein a first aperture extends through the first core engagement surface;
- a second engagement plate comprising a second core engagement surface, wherein a second aperture extends through the second core engagement surface;
- and
- a core positioned between the first engagement plate and the second engagement plate, wherein the core comprises a first flanking segment for engaging the first core engagement surface and a second flanking segment for engaging the second core engagement surface, wherein the core comprises an aperture in an upper surface that leads into a hollow interior of the core,
- wherein the first aperture of the first engagement plate, the second aperture of the second engagement plate, and the hollow interior of the core are aligned along a single axis, and
- wherein the first engagement plate includes a projection that extends from the core engagement surface and is enclosed by the core to limit movement,
- wherein an inflection region, substantially narrower than the first flanking segment and the second flanking segment, separates the first flanking segment and the second flanking segment,
- wherein the inflection region is capable of bending to allow angular displacement of the first flanking segment and the second flanking segment;
- and
- wherein the hollow interior of the core includes a first portion proximate to the first engagement plate, a second portion proximate to the second engagement plate, and a central portion connection the first and second portions, wherein the central portion is narrower than the first and second portions.
An implantable system comprising:
- a first engagement plate comprising a first core engagement surface, wherein a first aperture extends through the first core engagement surface;
- a second engagement plate comprising a second core engagement surface, wherein a second aperture extends through the second core engagement surface;
- a core positioned between the first engagement plate and the second engagement plate, wherein the core comprises a first flanking segment for engaging the first core engagement surface, a second flanking segment for engaging the second core engagement surface and an inflection region positioned between the first flanking segment and the second flanking segment, wherein the core comprises an aperture in an upper surface that leads into an hollow interior of the core,
- wherein the first aperture of the first engagement plate, the second aperture of the second engagement plate, and the hollow interior of the core are aligned along a single axis,
- wherein the first engagement plate includes a projection that extends from the core engagement surface and is enclosed by the core to limit movement,
- wherein the inflection region is substantially narrower than the first flanking segment and the second flanking segment,
- wherein the inflection region is configured to allow angular displacement of the first flanking segment and the second flanking segment, and
- wherein the hollow interior of the core includes a first portion proximate to the first engagement plate, a second portion proximate to the second engagement plate, and a central portion connection the first and second portions, wherein the central portion is narrower than the first and second portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.