Spinal stabilization method
AssigneeYale University
InventorManohar M. Panjabi
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Abstract
A dynamic spine stabilizer moves under the control of spinal motion providing increased mechanical support within a central zone corresponding substantially to the neutral zone of the injured spine. The dynamic spine stabilizer includes a support assembly and a resistance assembly associated with the support assembly. The resistance assembly generates greater increase in mechanical force during movement within the central zone and lesser increase in mechanical force during movement beyond the central zone. A method for using the stabilizer is also disclosed.
Claims19
A method for spinal stabilization, comprising the following steps:
- securing a dynamic stabilizer with respect to vertebrae of a spine;
- providing mechanical assistance in the form of resistance to a region of the spine to which the stabilizer is attached, wherein the resistance is applied such that greater mechanical assistance is provided while the spine is around its neutral zone and lesser mechanical assistance is provided while the spine bends beyond its neutral zone.
A method for spinal stabilization, comprising:
- (a) mounting a dynamic stabilizer with respect to vertebrae of a spine, said dynamic stabilizer including first and second springs;
- (b) subjecting the spine to an initial range of motion, whereby the dynamic stabilizer delivers a resistive force that is based on spring resistance from said first and second springs;
- and
- (c) subjecting the spine to a further range of motion beyond said initial range of motion, whereby the dynamic stabilizer delivers a resistive force that is based on spring resistance from only one of said first and second springs;
- wherein the resistive force is applied such that greater mechanical assistance is provided while the spine is around its neutral zone and lesser mechanical assistance is provided while the spine bends beyond its neutral zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.