Vertebral Stabilizer
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsMichael S. Veldman, Jonathan Dewey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bio-compatible stabilization system includes one or more inserters and a spinal stabilization connector for traversing a space between one or more bony structures. The stabilization system is designed to reduce or eliminate stress shielding effects while functioning as a tension band. The stabilization rod is shaped to define a fixed number of discrete positions of orientation.
Claims48
A spinal stabilizing system comprising:
- a spinal stabilization connector designed to traverse a space between a pair of vertebral members, the spinal stabilization connector including:
- first and second ends shaped to define a plurality of discrete positions for the spinal stabilization connector relative to the vertebral members;
- and
- a body connected to the first and second ends, the body having a curved portion extending between the first and second ends.
A spinal stabilizing kit comprising:
- a pair of receivers;
- a pair of bone-engaging screws, each bone-engaging screw retainable by a receiver and drivingly engageable with a bony structure;
- a spinal stabilization connector retainable by the pair of receivers, the spinal stabilization connector having a substantially curved portion and first and second ends spaced from one another by the substantially curved portion and shaped to define a discrete number of positions at which the spinal stabilization connector may be retained by the pair of receivers;
- and
- a pair of locking screws, each locking screw designed to lock the spinal stabilization connector in a receiver.
A surgical method for stabilizing a spinal joint with a spinal stabilizing system that includes a spinal stabilization connector having a curved portion that can be oriented at one of a plurality of discrete orientation positions relative to the spinal joint, the method comprising:
- fastening a first receiver to a first vertebral member;
- determining a desired orientation of the curved portion of the spinal stabilization connector relative to the vertebral member;
- rotating the spinal stabilization connector to the discrete orientation position that corresponds to the desired orientation of the spinal stabilization connector;
- securing a first end of the spinal stabilization connector to the first receiver;
- fastening a second receiver to a second vertebral member spaced from the first vertebral member;
- securing a second end of the spinal stabilization connector to the second receiver.
An implant for stabilizing bony structures, the implant comprising:
- a first boss and a second boss laterally spaced from the first boss;
- and
- a curved member extending between the first boss and the second boss along a plane different from that of the first and the second bosses, and traversing a space between at least two bony structures.
A spinal stabilization connector comprising:
- a first end having a first geometry;
- a second end having a second geometry;
- and
- a body extending between the first and the second end, wherein the body has a third geometry that is different from at least one of the first geometry and the second geometry.
A spinal stabilization connector for stabilizing a spinal joint, the connector comprising:
- a first end;
- a second end;
- a generally curved body member extending between the first end and the second end;
- and
- wherein the first end and the second end are contoured to define only one rotational position at which the generally curved body member can be oriented relative to the spinal joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.