System and method for cervical midline fixation
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorsJohn Riley Hawkins, Thomas J. Gamache, Michael Sorrenti, Alexander Grinberg, Michael A. Fisher
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Abstract
Devices and methods for enhancing the effectiveness of spinal stabilization, and particularly that of cervical spinal stabilization, are provided herein. More specifically, methods and systems are disclosed for effectively positioning occipital plates and spinal fixation assemblies within target vertebrae, while also reducing any associated patient trauma (e.g., muscle stripping, tissue damage, etc.). The systems and methods can utilize trans-lamina delivery of the spinal fixation assemblies to allow for the positioning of the fixation elements along the midline of the patient's spine.
Claims19
A spinal fixation assembly, comprising:
- a housing having an anterior base and a pair of arms extending posteriorly therefrom, the pair of arms defining a slot therebetween configured to seat a spinal fixation element, the slot extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing and configured to be aligned with a midline of the spine,
- the housing having a central axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and extending through the base and the slot,
- an anchor-receiving opening formed in at least one arm and extending between the slot and a bone contacting surface of the at least one arm adjacent the base, the at least one anchor-receiving opening being offset from the central axis and configured such that at least one anchor member disposed therethrough extends inferiorly and laterally away from the housing at an acute angle relative to the central axis;
- wherein the pair of arms define a closed side and an open side opposite the closed side with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing, the pair of arms extend longitudinally from the closed side of the housing to the open side and posterior to the anchor receiving opening such that the open side of the housing defines an opening that communicates with the anchor-receiving opening and is configured to receive an anchor member pre-installed in a vertebra.
A spinal fixation system, comprising:
- a housing assembly having a base and a pair of arms extending therefrom, the pair of arms defining a slot therebetween, the slot extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing and being configured to be aligned with a midline of the spine, the housing having a central axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and extending through the base portion and the slot,
- a spinal fixation element configured to be disposed in the slot such that the spinal fixation element extends along a midline of the subject's spine,
- at least one anchor member configured to be disposed through an anchor-receiving opening extending through at least one arm between the slot and a bone contacting surface of the at least one arm, the anchor member being offset from the central axis and extending away from the housing at an acute angle relative to the central axis;
- wherein the pair of arms define a closed side and an open side opposite the closed side with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing, the pair of arms extend longitudinally from the closed side of the housing to the open side and posterior to the anchor receiving opening such that the open side of the housing defines an opening that communicates with the anchor-receiving opening and is configured to receive the at least one anchor member pre-installed in a vertebra.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.