Method and apparatus for inhibiting proximal junctional failure
AssigneeMedicrea International
InventorsThomas Mosnier, David Nicholas Ryan
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Abstract
Methods and devices are disclosed for inhibiting proximal junctional failure in a patient having posterior spinal instrumentation. One or more tension bands can be threaded through transverse bores in a spinous process of a vertebral body of a spine, superior and adjacent an uppermost instrumented vertebral body. Tension is applied to bias the spinous processes together and also in an inferior direction. The tension band is locked with respect to the spine, to maintain tension.
Claims20
A method of inhibiting proximal junctional failure in a patient having posterior spinal instrumentation, comprising the steps of:
- creating a first transverse bore through a spinous process of a vertebral body of a spine, superior and adjacent an uppermost instrumented vertebral body, a second transverse bore through a spinous process of the uppermost instrumented vertebral body, and a third transverse bore through a spinous process of a vertebral body inferior and adjacent the uppermost instrumented vertebral body;
- threading a tension band having a first end and a second end through the first, second and third bores;
- extending the tension band inferiorly of the third transverse bore, under tension;
- and
- locking the tension band with respect to the spine.
A system of inhibiting proximal junctional failure in a patient having posterior spinal instrumentation, the system comprising:
- at least one tension band having a first end and a second end;
- at least one connector configured to be attached to the patient's spine or the posterior spinal instrumentation;
- and
- wherein the at least one tension band is configured to pass through a plurality of transverse bores in at least two vertebrae of the patient's spine;
- wherein the first end of the at least one tension band and the second end of the at least one tension band are locked under tension in the at least one connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.