# US 10,441,323 B2 · Spine stabilization device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,323 B2 - Document ID: US10441323B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/429,574 - Filed: 2017-02-10 - Published: 2017-06-01 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-30 - Assignees: New South Innovations Pty Limited - Applicants: NewSouth Innovations Pty Limited - Inventors: William Robert Walsh; Matthew Henry Pelletier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441323B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/707: {Devices acting on, or attached to, a transverse process or rib; Tools therefor} - A61B 17/7062: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs (rib fixation devices A61B17/8076); Tools for such devices} - A61B 17/7065: {Devices with changeable shape, e.g. collapsible or having retractable arms to aid implantation; Tools therefor} - A61B 17/7067: {Devices bearing against one or more spinous processes and also attached to another part of the spine; Tools therefor} - A61F 2/44: for the spine, e.g. vertebrae or spinal discs - A61F 2/4405: {for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes (devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062)} - A61F 2/4455: {for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442)} - A61B 2017/564: {Methods for bone or joint treatment} - A61F 2002/30092: {using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol} - A61F 2002/30131: {horseshoe- or crescent- or C-shaped or U-shaped} - A61F 2002/30136: {undulated or wavy, e.g. serpentine-shaped or zigzag-shaped} - A61F 2002/30166: {H-shaped or I-shaped} - A61F 2002/30181: {Y-shaped} - A61F 2002/30301: {saddle-shaped} - A61F 2002/30565: {having spring elements} - A61F 2002/30784: {Plurality of holes} - A61F 2002/3082: {Grooves} - A61F 2002/3093: {for promoting ingrowth of bone tissue} - A61F 2002/30971: {Laminates, i.e. layered products} - A61F 2310/00017: Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel - A61F 2310/00023: Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys - A61F 2310/00029: Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium - A61F 2310/00131: Tantalum or Ta-based alloys - A61F 2310/00161: Carbon; Graphite - A61F 2310/00329: Glasses, e.g. bioglass - A61F 2310/00395: Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of metals or of alloys - A61F 2310/00796: Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Technologies are generally provided for devices, systems, and methods to provide spinal fixation, spinal stabilization, and/or spinal fusion. Example devices may include a first end and a second end with a middle portion extending between the first and second end. The first end may be configured to be in contact with a portion of a first or upper vertebra and the second end may be configured to be in contact with a portion of a second or lower vertebra in an adjacent vertebral pair. Portions of the vertebra which may be in contact with the device may include lamina, processes, vertebral bodies, and facet joints. The example devices may include bone engagement features, such as screws or similar fasteners, to enhance stabilization and fixation when in contact with the vertebrae. Additionally, the devices may include a bone integration feature to promote bone growth and to facilitate fusion between the vertebrae. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method to achieve spinal fusion, the method comprising: inserting an elongated plate between an adjacent vertebral pair, such that a first end of the elongated plate is in contact with a posterior lamina of a first vertebra of the adjacent vertebral pair, and a second end of the elongated plate is in contact with a posterior lamina of a second vertebra of the adjacent vertebral pair, wherein the inserting comprises: placing the elongated plate at a first position that is angled with respect to the posterior lamina of the first vertebra or the posterior lamina of the second vertebra, and rotating the elongated plate about a pivot point on the elongated plate to a second position, by use of an angled cutout portion of at least one of the first end or the second end of the elongated plate, wherein a middle portion of the elongated plate extending between the first end and the second end is adapted to be positioned between the first vertebra and the second vertebra, and wherein at least a portion of the elongated plate comprises a bone integration surface configured to promote bone ingrowth, on-growth, and/or through-growth of at least one of the first vertebra or the second vertebra with the elongated plate to facilitate fusion between the first vertebra and the second vertebra. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: positioning the elongated plate such that a locking component extending from a portion of the elongated plate is inserted into a facet joint between the first vertebra and the second vertebra, wherein the locking component is configured to facilitate fusion of the facet joint. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: affixing one or more of the first end and the second end to the posterior lamina of the first and second vertebra employing a fixation mechanism, wherein the fixation mechanism is selected from one or more of a screw, a clamp, a suture, a hook, a spike, a textured surface, and a wire. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting one or more of a shape, a size, and a contour of the elongated plate to substantially follow a natural bony anatomy of a posterior portion of the adjacent vertebral pair. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: after insertion of the elongated plate in position between the first vertebra and the second vertebra, modifying a shape and a contour of the elongated plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: inserting the elongated plate via one or more of a posterior and a lateral approach. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: preparing a surface of one or more of the first vertebra and the second vertebra to receive the elongated plate prior to insertion of the elongated plate by decorticating the surface of one or more of the first vertebra and the second vertebra prior to insertion of the elongated plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: treating the bone integration surface by one or more of: texturizing and/or etching a surface of the elongated plate to induce a roughness, coating a surface of the elongated plate with a porous material, coating a surface of the elongated plate with a titanium coating, and coating a surface of the elongated plate with a plasma spray. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising coating the at least a portion of the elongated plate with a calcium material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the elongated plate that comprises a bone integration surface includes at least one of a first surface of the first end of the elongated plate in contact with the posterior lamina of the first vertebra or a second surface of the second end of the elongated plate in contact with the posterior lamina of the second vertebra. ### Claim 11 A method to achieve spinal fusion, the method comprising: inserting an implant between a first vertebra and a second vertebra of an adjacent vertebral pair such that a first end of the implant is in contact with a first transverse process of the first vertebra of the adjacent vertebral pair, a second end of the implant is in contact with a second transverse process of the second vertebra of the adjacent vertebral pair, and a middle portion configured in a substantially curved shape extends between the first end and the second end in one of a posterior configuration or an anterior configuration with respect to the adjacent vertebral pair, wherein the inserting comprises: placing the implant at a first position that is angled with respect to the first transverse process or second transverse process, and rotating the implant about a pivot point on the implant to a second position, by use of an angled cutout portion of at least one of the first end or the second end of the implant, and wherein at least a portion of the implant comprises a bone integration surface configured to promote of bone ingrowth, on-growth, and/or through-growth of at least one of the first vertebra or the second vertebra with the implant to facilitate fusion between the first vertebra and the second vertebra. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: positioning the implant such that, in the anterior configuration, the middle portion of the implant substantially follows an anterior aspect of a foramen of the adjacent vertebral pair. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: positioning the implant such that, in the posterior configuration, the middle portion of the implant substantially follows a posterior aspect of a foramen of the adjacent vertebral pair. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: inserting the implant as a separate upper portion and lower portion, wherein the separate upper portion and the lower portion are configured to be coupled together after insertion between the first vertebra and the second vertebra. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: affixing one or more of the first end and the second end to a portion of the first vertebra and the second vertebra employing a fixation mechanism, wherein the fixation mechanism is selected from one or more: of a screw, a clamp, a suture, a hook, a spike, a textured surface, and a wire. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: inserting the implant via one or more of a posterior and a lateral approach. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: preparing a surface of one or more of the first vertebra and the second vertebra to receive the implant prior to insertion of the implant by decorticating the surface of one or more of the first vertebra and the second vertebra prior to insertion of the implant. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising treating the bone integration surface by one or more of: texturizing and/or etching a surface of the implant to induce a roughness, coating a surface of the implant with a porous material, coating a surface of the implant with a titanium coating, and coating a surface of the implant with a plasma spray. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising coating the at least a portion of the implant with a calcium material. ### Claim 20 A method to achieve spinal fusion, the method comprising: inserting an implant between a first vertebra and a second vertebra of an adjacent vertebral pair such that a first end including a first curved portion is in contact with a portion of a first vertebra of an adjacent vertebral pair, a second end including a second curved portion is in contact with a portion of a second vertebra adjacent to the first vertebra, and a middle portion extending between the first end and the second end is adapted to be positioned between the first vertebra and the second vertebra, wherein the inserting comprises: placing the implant at a first position that is angled with respect to the portion of the first vertebra of the adjacent vertebral pair or the portion of the second vertebra adjacent to the first vertebra, and rotating the implant about a pivot point on the implant to a second position, by use of an angled cutout portion of at least one of the first end or the second end of the implant, and wherein at least a portion of the implant comprises a bone integration surface configured to promote of bone ingrowth, on-growth, and/or through-growth of at least one of the first vertebra and the second vertebra with the implant to facilitate fusion between the first vertebra or the second vertebra. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising: inserting the implant such that the first curved portion receives a first transverse process of the first vertebra, and the second curved portion receives a second transverse process of the second vertebra. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising: integrating an attachment component of the implant with one or more pedicle screws inserted within a pedicle of the first vertebra and the second vertebra. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising: inserting the implant via one or more of a posterior and a lateral approach. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising treating the bone integration surface by one or more of: texturizing and/or etching a surface of the implant to induce a roughness, coating a surface of the implant with a porous material, coating a surface of the implant with a titanium coating, and coating a surface of the implant with a plasma spray. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising coating the at least a portion of the implant with a calcium material.