Systems and methods for posterior dynamic stabilization of the spine
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorDaniel H. Kim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and devices for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The systems include a superior component for attachment to a superior vertebra of a spinal motion segment and an inferior component for attachment to an inferior vertebral of a spinal motion segment. The interconnection between the two components enables the spinal motion segment to move in a manner that mimics the natural motion of the spinal motion segment. Methods are also provided for stabilizing the spine and for implanting the subject systems.
Claims20
A system for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment comprising a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, the system comprising:
- a left and a right superior bone anchor configured to couple to the superior vertebra, each superior bone anchor comprising a first strut having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the first strut includes an abutment having a first engagement portion, and wherein at least the first struts move independently of one another;
- a left and a right inferior bone anchor configured for attachment to the inferior vertebra, each inferior bone anchor comprising a second strut having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the second strut includes a second engagement portion configured to slidably engage with the first engagement portion of the abutment of the distal end of the superior bone anchor, and wherein the configuration of the second engagement portion relative to the first engagement portion limits relative motion between the first and the second strut;
- and
- a tension band extending between the superior bone anchor and the inferior bone anchor.
A system for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment comprising a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, the system comprising:
- a left and a right superior bone anchor configured to couple to the superior vertebra, each superior bone anchor comprising a first strut having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the first strut includes an abutment having a first engagement portion, and wherein at least the first struts move independently of one another;
- a left and a right inferior bone anchor configured for attachment to the inferior vertebra, each inferior bone anchor comprising a second strut having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the second strut includes a second engagement portion configured to slidably engage with the first engagement portion of the abutment of the distal end of the superior bone anchor, and wherein the configuration of the second engagement portion relative to the first engagement portion limits relative motion between the first and the second strut;
- and
- a tension band extending between the superior bone anchor and the inferior bone anchor, wherein the tension band is positioned posteriorly to the struts.
A method for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment comprising a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, the method comprising:
- attaching a superior bone anchor to the superior vertebra, the superior bone anchor comprising a first strut having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the first strut includes an abutment;
- attaching an inferior bone anchor to the inferior vertebra, the inferior bone anchor comprising a second strut comprising an engagement portion slidably engaged with the abutment of the distal end of the first strut of the superior bone anchor;
- limiting motion between the superior and inferior bone anchors by the configuration of the abutment relative to the engagement portion, wherein the abutment and the engagement portion are in an unconstrained configuration to allow flexion, extension, axial rotation and lateral bending motions while limiting anterior and lateral translation between the superior and inferior vertebrae;
- allowing at least the first strut to move independently of one another;
- and
- extending a tension device substantially parallel to the strut between the superior bone anchor and the inferior bone anchor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.