# US 10,499,956 B2 · Posterior stabilization systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,499,956 B2 - Document ID: US10499956B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/449,186 - Filed: 2017-03-03 - Published: 2017-06-22 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-01 - Applicants: Rebecca Elizabeth Stachniak - Inventors: Rebecca Elizabeth Stachniak - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499956B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/88: {Osteosynthesis instruments;} Methods or means for implanting or extracting internal {or external} fixation devices {(A61B17/7074 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/56: Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor - A61B 17/7035: {Screws or hooks, wherein a rod-clamping part and a bone-anchoring part can pivot relative to each other} - A61B 17/7037: {wherein pivoting is blocked when the rod is clamped} - A61B 17/7041: {with single longitudinal rod offset laterally from single row of screws or hooks (A61B17/7044 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/7044: {also having plates, staples or washers bearing on the vertebrae} - A61B 17/7071: {Implants for expanding or repairing the vertebral arch or wedged between laminae or pedicles; Tools therefor} - A61B 17/7083: {Tools for guidance or insertion of tethers, rod-to-anchor connectors, rod-to-rod connectors, or longitudinal elements} - A61B 17/8085: {with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips (A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence)} - A61B 17/7002: {Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods} - A61B 17/7032: {Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass} - A61B 17/7034: {characterised by a lateral opening} - A61B 17/809: {with bone-penetrating elements, e.g. blades or prongs (bone staples A61B17/0642; intramedullary nails with a plate at an end A61B17/7233)} - A61B 2017/564: {Methods for bone or joint treatment} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An implantable body for a posterior stabilization system includes a lateral end, a medial end, an inwardly facing surface configured to abut against a lamina when the body is implanted along a vertebra. A lateral bone outrigger extends from the inwardly facing surface and may include a bone-abutting surface along a medial portion disposed to abut against a lateral mass of the vertebra when the body is implanted along a vertebra. The lateral bone outrigger may have a first height. A penetrating feature extends from the inwardly facing surface between the bone-engaging portion of the inwardly facing surface and the lateral bone outrigger. The penetrating feature may have a second height less than the first height. A fastener bore extends through the body at an angle toward the lateral bone outrigger. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An implantable posterior stabilization system comprising: a main body comprising a lateral end, a medial end, an inwardly facing surface, and an outwardly facing surface, the inwardly facing surface having a bone-abutting portion disposed proximate the medial end and configured to abut against a lamina when the main body is implanted along a vertebra; a lateral bone outrigger extending from the inwardly facing surface adjacent the lateral end, the lateral bone outrigger having a bone-abutting surface along a medial portion disposed to abut against a lateral mass of the vertebra when the main body is implanted along a vertebra; a fastener bore extending through the main body from the inwardly facing surface to the outwardly facing surface; and a head projecting from the outwardly facing surface, the head having an interface arranged to pivotably engage a stabilizing element of the stabilization system, wherein the fastener bore is angled toward the lateral end and toward the lateral bone outrigger. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the fastener bore is angled at an oblique angle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the fastener bore is angled so that when the implantable is implanted, the fastener bore forms an angle in a range of 20-55 degrees from a sagittal plane and an angle in a range of 20-55 degrees from an axial plane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the head comprises a post portion and head portion, the post portion extending through the outwardly facing surface, the head portion forming the interface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The implantable system of claim 4, wherein the head portion is spherically-shaped. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The implantable system of claim 1, comprising a rod receiver configured to interface with the head, the rod receiver having an interface arranged to form a pivoting interface with the head. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the outwardly facing surface is substantially flat, and wherein the inwardly facing surface is curvilinear. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The implantable system of claim 7, wherein the curvilinear inwardly facing surface is shaped to interface with a shape of natural bone. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the inwardly facing surface comprises a curved surface portion adjacent the medial end. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The implantable system of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the main body between the outwardly facing surface and the inwardly facing surface is less thick at the lateral side and more thick at the medial end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The implantable system of claim 1, wherein the outrigger extends at an oblique angle in the lateral direction from the inwardly facing surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The implantable system of claim 11, wherein the oblique angle of the outrigger is within a range of about 20 to 60° as measured from a line perpendicular to a longitudinal plane through the main body. ### Claim 13 An implantable posterior stabilization system comprising: a main body comprising a lateral end, a medial end, an inwardly facing surface, and an outwardly facing surface, the inwardly facing surface having a bone-abutting portion disposed proximate the medial end and configured to abut against a lamina when the main body is implanted along a vertebra; a lateral bone outrigger extending from the inwardly facing surface adjacent the lateral end at an oblique angle in a lateral direction, the lateral bone outrigger having a bone-abutting surface along a medial portion disposed to abut against a lateral mass of the vertebra when the main body is implanted along a vertebra; a fastener bore extending through the main body from the inwardly facing surface to the outwardly facing surface, the fastener bore defining an outwardly facing opening in the outwardly facing surface and defining an inwardly facing opening in the inwardly facing surface, the fastener bore being angled so that the inwardly facing angle is spaced from the lateral end a smaller distance than the outwardly facing surface is spaced from the lateral end; and a head projecting from the outwardly facing surface, the head having an interface arranged to pivotably engage a stabilizing element of the stabilization system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The implantable system of claim 13, wherein the oblique angle of the lateral bone outrigger is in a range of about 20-60 degrees from an axial plane. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The implantable system of claim 13, wherein the fastener bore is angled so that when the implantable is implanted, the fastener bore forms an angle in a range of 20-55 degrees from a sagittal plane and an angle in a range of 20-55 degrees from an axial plane. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The implantable system of claim 13, wherein the head comprises a post portion and head portion, the post portion extending through the outwardly facing surface, the head portion forming the interface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The implantable system of claim 16, wherein the head portion is spherically-shaped. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The implantable system of claim 13, comprising a rod receiver configured to interface with the head, the rod receiver having an interface arranged to form a pivoting interface with the head. ### Claim 19 An implantable posterior stabilization system comprising: a main body comprising a lateral end, a medial end, an inwardly facing surface, and an outwardly facing surface, the inwardly facing surface having a bone-abutting portion disposed proximate the medial end and configured to abut against a lamina when the main body is implanted along a vertebra; a lateral bone outrigger extending from the inwardly facing surface adjacent the lateral end at an oblique angle in a lateral direction, the lateral bone outrigger having a bone-abutting surface along a medial portion disposed to abut against a lateral mass of the vertebra when the main body is implanted along a vertebra; a fastener bore extending through the main body from the inwardly facing surface to the outwardly facing surface, the fastener bore defining an outwardly facing opening in the outwardly facing surface and defining an inwardly facing opening in the inwardly facing surface, the fastener bore being angled so that the inwardly facing angle is spaced from the lateral end a smaller distance than the outwardly facing surface is spaced from the lateral end; and a head projecting from the outwardly facing surface, the head having a post portion and a head portion, the post portion extending into a bore formed through the outwardly facing surface, the head portion having a larger width than the post portion and having a spherically-shaped portion arranged to form a pivoting interface with a stabilizing element of the stabilization system.