Flexible spinal stabilization element and system
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsJulien J. PREVOST, Dimitri K. PROTOPSALTIS
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Abstract
Systems and devices for providing dynamic stabilization of one or more spinal motion segments are provided. The systems include a connecting element between two or more bone anchor assemblies that can be attached to two or more vertebral bodies of at least one spinal motion segment. The connecting element includes a first end, a second end, an intermediate resilient element and a sheathed tether extending from the first end to the second end and through the resilient intermediate element.
Claims19
An elongated connecting element for stabilizing a first vertebra with respect to a second vertebra, the elongated connecting element comprising:
- a. a first end member and a second end member substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis;
- b. a resilient intermediate element positioned between the first end member and the second end member, the resilient member having a length L;
- c. a tether extending between the first end member and the second end member and through the resilient intermediate element;
- and
- d. a sheath at least partially surrounding the tether along a portion of the length of the tether.
An elongated connecting element for stabilizing a first vertebra with respect to a second vertebra, the elongated connecting element comprising:
- a. a first end member having a bore with an inner surface and a second end member having a bore with an inner surface, the first and second end members substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis;
- b. a resilient intermediate element positioned between and abutting the first end member and the second end member, the resilient member having a length L;
- c. a tether extending between the first end member and the second end member and through the resilient intermediate element;
- and
- d. means to prevent the tether from contacting the inner surface of the first end member radially inwardly from the abutment of the resilient intermediate element and the first end member and to prevent the tether from contacting the inner surface of the second end member radially inwardly from the abutment of the resilient intermediate element and the second end member.
A spinal stabilization system, comprising:
- a. at least a first bone anchor system connectable to a first vertebra and a second bone anchor system connectable to a second vertebra;
- b. a flexible elongated connecting element configured to extend between the first bone anchor system and the second bone anchor system;
- wherein the flexible elongated connecting element comprises a sheathed tether extending through a resilient intermediate member disposed such that the resilient intermediate member is arranged between the first bone anchor system and the second bone anchor system when the flexible elongated connecting element is connected thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.