Flexible spine stabilization systems
AssigneeSDGI Holdings, Inc.
InventorEric C. Lange
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spine stabilization system includes a flexible member attachable to a portion of the spinal column. The member includes components that are oriented and function similar to the natural fiber orientation of the anterior longitudinal ligament and annulus tissue. The use of components resist loading applied by extension and rotation of the spine, while the flexibility of the member does not subject it to the compressive loading of the spinal column segment to which it is attached.
Claims42
A stabilization system for a spinal column segment with an anterior longitudinal ligament having a first fiber orientation extending in the direction of a central spinal column axis, the spinal column segment having annulus tissue with a second fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and a third fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and transverse to the second fiber orientation, the system comprising:
- a flexible member attachable to the bodies of at least first and second vertebrae of the spinal column segment, said member including at least one first component extending in the direction of the first fiber orientation, at least one second component extending generally in a direction corresponding to the second fiber orientation, and at least one third component extending generally in a direction corresponding to the third fiber orientation.
A stabilization system for a spinal column segment with an anterior longitudinal ligament having a first fiber orientation extending in the direction of a central spinal column axis, the spinal column segment having annulus tissue with a second fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and a third fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and transverse to the second fiber orientation, the system comprising:
- a flexible member attachable to the bodies of first and second vertebrae of the spinal column segment, said member including at least one layer formed by a number of first components extending in the direction of the first fiber orientation, a number of second components extending generally in a direction corresponding to the second fiber orientation, and a number of third components extending generally in a direction corresponding to the third fiber orientation.
A stabilization system for a spinal column segment with an anterior longitudinal ligament having a first fiber orientation extending in the direction of a central spinal column axis, the spinal column segment having annulus tissue with a second fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and a third fiber orientation extending at an acute angle to the first fiber orientation and transverse to the second fiber orientation, the system comprising:
- a flexible member attachable to the bodies of first and second vertebrae of the spinal column segment, said member including:
- at least one first layer formed by a number of first components extending in the direction of the first fiber orientation;
- and
- at least one second layer formed by a number of second components extending generally in a direction corresponding to the second fiber orientation, and a number of third components extending generally in a direction corresponding to the third fiber orientation.
A method for stabilizing a portion of a spinal column including an anterior longitudinal ligament and an annulus having a first portion of fibers oriented in a first direction transverse to the anterior longitudinal ligament and a second portion of fibers oriented in a second direction transverse to the anterior longitudinal ligament and transverse to the first portion of fibers, the method comprising:
- providing at least one first component oriented in the direction of the anterior longitudinal ligament;
- providing at least one second component oriented in the direction of the first portion of the annulus fibers;
- providing at least one third component oriented in the direction of the second portion of the annulus fibers;
- and
- securing the at least one first component, the at least one second component and the at least one third component to first and second vertebrae of the spinal column.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.