Inter Spinous Process Spacer with Compressible Core Providing Dynamic Stabilization
AssigneeSpinal Kinetics, Inc.
InventorShigeru Tanaka
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Abstract
The described devices are useful in the treatment of spinal disorders and pain. In particular, the described devices are designed to stabilize a portion of the spine by restoring and maintaining spacing between two adjacent vertebrae. The devices are compressible spacers that may be situated between the spinous processes of those adjacent vertebrae. The described inter spinous process spacers also allow a range of spinal motion and mimic the motion of a normally functioning spine.
Claims31
An inter spinous process, dynamic stabilizing device interposable between first and second spinous processes associated with a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body, where the second vertebral body is adjacent said first vertebral body, said first vertebral and second vertebral bodies having facet joints and foramenal spaces, said device comprising:
- a.) at least one central core assembly, comprising
- i.) first and second end plates,
- ii.) at least one compressible core member positioned between and adjacent to said first and second end plates, said core member comprising at least one compressible core member and at least one fiber extending between and engaged with said first and second end plates, and
- b.) bone attachment members attachable to said first and second end plates and attachable to said first and second spinous processes.
A inter spinous process stabilizer comprising:
- a first end plate configured to fixedly attach to a first spinous process associated with a first vertebral body,
- at least one second end plate configured to fixedly attach to a second vertebral body having a second spinous process, said second vertebral body adjacent said first vertebral body, and
- at least one compressible core member fixedly attached both to said first end plate and to said at least one second end plate, said compressible core assembly comprising a compressible core member and one or more fibers associated with and attaching the first end plate and to the at least one second end plate, wherein the compressible core member is configured to stabilize the spacing between the first spinous process and the second spinous process, to provide shock absorbing, and to permit axial rotation, motion in flexion-extension, and motion from side-to-side.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.