US 7,892,261 B2 · Spinal implant and methods for changing spatial relationships between vertebrae

Abstract

To change a spatial relationship between two or more bones in a patient's body, a wedge member is moved into a joint between the bones. As the wedge member enters the joint, pivotal movement occurs between the bones to change the orientation of the bones relative to each other. The wedge member may have a circular cross sectional configuration and be moved into the joint by rotating the wedge member about an axis which extends between a thin leading edge portion and a thick trailing edge portion of the wedge member. Alternatively, the wedge member may have a cam-shaped configuration and be rotated through less than a revolution to apply force against the bones. The wedge member may have a porous construction which enables bone to grow through the wedge member and immobilize the joint. The wedge member may be coated with and/or contain bone growth promoting material. The wedge member may be connected to only one of the bones or may be connected to two adjacent bones. If the wedge member is connected to only one bone, the joint may be capable of being flexed after the wedge member is inserted into the joint.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method of changing a spatial relationship between a first vertebra having a first central longitudinal axis and a second vertebrae having a second central longitudinal axis, the first and second vertebrae interconnected at a joint in a patient's body, the method comprising:

providing a spinal implant including a unitary body having superior and inferior faces;
positioning the spinal implant in the joint between the first and second vertebrae;
expanding at least a portion of the joint by moving the spinal implant into the joint to apply a force against the first and second vertebrae with the spinal implant, such that the spatial relationship between the first and second central longitudinal axes changes as the spinal implant is moved into the joint;
affixing only one of the superior and inferior faces to one of the first and second vertebrae such that the other of the superior and inferior faces moves freely with respect to the other of the first and second vertebrae;
and
maintaining a freedom of movement of the other of the superior and inferior faces after the one of the superior and inferior faces has been affixed.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Spinal implant and methods for changing spatial relationships between vertebrae

Life of this patent

Spinal implant and methods for changing spatial relationships between vertebrae

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29