Methods and apparatus for coupling a prosthesis to a spinal segment
AssigneeSimpirica Spine, Inc.
InventorsTodd Alamin, Manish Kothari, Hugues Malandain, Colin Cahill, Louis Fielding
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for coupling a prosthesis to a spinal segment in a patient includes the steps of selecting first and second reference points disposed along the spinal segment and pre-operatively measuring a target distance. The target distance extends between the first and second reference points while the patient is in a preferred posture such as the standing position. A prosthesis is coupled to the spinal segment and the prosthesis is then intra-operatively adjusted in order to set the distance between the first and second reference points based on the target distance.
Claims113
A method for coupling a prosthesis to a spinal segment in a patient, said method comprising:
- selecting a first and a second reference point disposed along the spinal segment;
- pre-operatively measuring a target distance, the target distance extending between the first and the second reference points while the patient is in a preferred posture;
- coupling the prosthesis to the spinal segment;
- and
- intra-operatively adjusting the prosthesis in order to set the distance between the first and second reference points based on the target distance.
A system for restricting flexion of a spinal segment in a patient, said system comprising:
- a tether structure adapted to be coupled with a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process or sacrum;
- a first compliance element coupled with the tether structure;
- and
- a first constraining tool releasably coupled with the compliance element so as to hold the compliance element in a desired position or to limit motion of the compliance element to a predetermined range.
A method for treating lower back pain in a patient, said method comprising:
- providing instructions to the patient to place the lower back into varying positions of flexion;
- determining a threshold position of the lower back in which the patient does not experience lower back pain or where lower back pain is reduced;
- providing a first image or a set of images of the patient's lower back while in the threshold position;
- measuring features of the patient's lower back from the first image or the set of images;
- coupling a constraint device to the patient's lower back;
- re-measuring features of the patient's lower back with the constraint device coupled thereto;
- comparing the re-measured features with the measured features;
- and
- adjusting the constraint device so that the patient's lower back is in a position below the threshold position based on the comparison of measured and re-measured features, whereby the lower back pain or instability of the lower back is reduced or eliminated.
A method for treating degenerative spondylolisthesis in a lower back of a patient, said method comprising:
- providing instructions to the patient to place the lower back into varying positions of flexion;
- providing a plurality of images of the lower back in the varying positions;
- determining a threshold position of the lower back in which a facet joint of the patient's lower back begins to sublux;
- providing a first image of the patient's lower back while in the threshold position;
- coupling a constraint device to the patient's lower back;
- providing a second image of the patient's back intraoperatively after the constraint device has been coupled to the patient's lower back;
- comparing the first and the second images;
- and
- adjusting the constraint device so that the patient's lower back is in a position below the threshold position based on the comparison of the first and the second images, whereby the subluxation of the facet joint is reduced or eliminated.
A method for treating lower back pain in a patient, said method comprising:
- manipulating the patient's lower back into a position where the lower back pain is reduced or eliminated;
- recording the position;
- intraoperatively reproducing the position in the patient's lower back;
- and
- coupling a constraint device to the lower back.
A method for treating spondylolisthesis in a patient, said method comprising:
- providing instructions to the patient to place the lower back into varying positions of flexion;
- determining a threshold position of the lower back in which the patient does not experience translational instability or wherein translation instability is reduced;
- providing a first image or a set of images of the patient's lower back while in the threshold position;
- measuring features of the patient's lower back from the first image or the set of images;
- coupling a constraint device to the patient's lower back;
- re-measuring features of the patient's lower back with the constraint device coupled thereto;
- comparing the re-measured features with the measured features;
- and
- adjusting the constraint device so that the patient's lower back is in a position below the threshold position based on the comparison of measured and re-measured features, whereby the instability of the lower back is reduced or eliminated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.