# US 8,147,521 B1 · Systems and methods for treating spinal deformities

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- Number: US 8,147,521 B1
- Document ID: US8147521B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 11/490,995
- Filed: 2006-07-20
- Granted: 2012-04-03
- Earliest claimed: 2005-07-20
- Assignees: NuVasive, Inc.
- Inventors: G. Bryan Cornwall; Jonathan Spangler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8147521B1

## CPC

- A61F 2/4455: {for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages (intervertebral discs A61F2/442)}
- A61B 17/7001: {Screws or hooks combined with longitudinal elements which do not contact vertebrae (A61B17/7058 takes precedence)}
- A61B 17/7005: {Parts of the longitudinal elements, e.g. their ends, being specially adapted to fit in the screw or hook heads}
- A61B 17/7022: {Tethers, i.e. longitudinal elements capable of transmitting tension only, e.g. straps, sutures or cables (A61B17/702 takes precedence)}
- A61B 17/7032: {Screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which longitudinal rods pass}
- A61F 2/447: {substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section}
- A61B 17/7007: {Parts of the longitudinal elements, e.g. their ends, being specially adapted to fit around the screw or hook heads}
- A61F 2002/30774: {internally-threaded}
- A61F 2002/30828: {parallel}
- A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

Systems and methods of treating spinal deformity, including one or more intervertebral implants to be introduced laterally into respective intervertebral spaces, a plurality of bone screws introduced generally laterally into vertebral bodies adjacent to the intervertebral implants and/or the intervertebral implants themselves, and a cable dimensioned to be coupled to the bone screws and manipulated to adjust and/or correct the spinal deformity.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for treating spinal deformities comprising:
a first spinal fusion implant having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end extending between and transverse to an upper surface and a lower surface, and opposing sidewalls extending between said distal and proximal ends, said first implant dimensioned to be introduced into a first intervertebral space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body through a generally lateral approach such that said upper surface contacts said first vertebral body and said lower surface contacts said lower vertebral body;
wherein said implant has a length dimensioned to extend from a first lateral aspect to a second lateral aspect of the intervertebral space when said implant is positioned in said intervertebral space;
said implant further including first and second fusion apertures that each extend between a top surface and a bottom surface and permit bone growth between the first vertebral body and the second vertebral body when said implant is positioned within the interbody space, said first and second fusion apertures being adjacent to one another and separated by a medial support extending between said opposing sidewalls and generally parallel to said distal and proximal ends;
a first bone screw dimensioned to be introduced through a generally lateral approach and secured through an aperture opening on the proximal end to at least one of said medial support and said distal end of said first implant;
a second bone screw dimensioned to be introduced through a generally lateral approach and secured to one of the lateral aspect of a vertebral body and a second implant positioned in a second intervertebral space; and an elongate member dimensioned to be coupled to said first and second bone screws to move the first and second vertebral bodies to minimize the spinal deformity.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system for treating spinal deformities of claim 1, further comprising:
a third bone screw dimensioned to be introduced through a generally lateral approach and secured to at least one of the lateral aspect of a vertebral body, a medial support of a second implant, a distal end of a second implant, a medial support of a third implant, and a distal end of a third implant.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system for treating spinal deformities of claim 2, wherein said third bone screw includes a side-loading housing dimensioned to receive said elongate member therethrough.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system for treating spinal deformities of claim 1, wherein said first and second bone screw each includes a tulip-shaped housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system for treating spinal deformities of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second bone screws are at least one of fixed-axis screws and variable angle screws.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system for treating spinal deformities of claim 1, wherein said at least one of said first and second bone screws are at least one of cannulated and non-cannulated.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system for treating spinal deformities of claim 1, wherein said elongate member is secured to at least one of said first and second bone screws by a set screw.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system for treating spinal deformities of claim 1, wherein the first end of said elongate member includes a shaped head member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system for treating spinal deformities of claim 1, wherein said elongate member is composed of at least one of steel, titanium, titanium alloy, Nitinol, nylon, plastic, and polymer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system for treating spinal deformities of claim 1, wherein said elongate member is at least one of a cable and a rigid rod.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system for treating spinal deformities of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second bone screw has a threaded post on a first end, and wherein said elongate member has at least one aperture dimensioned to receive the threaded post to secure said elongate member to at least one of said first and second bone screws.

### Claim 12

A system for treating spinal deformities, comprising:
a first spinal fusion implant having a distal end and a proximal end extending between and transverse to an upper surface and a lower surface, and opposing sidewalls extending between said distal and proximal ends, said first implant dimensioned to be introduced into a first intervertebral space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body through a generally lateral approach such that said proximal end faces a lateral aspect of the intervertebral space, said implant further including first and second fusion apertures that each extend between a top surface and a bottom surface, said first and second fusion apertures being adjacent to one another and separated by a medial support extending between said opposing sidewalls and generally parallel to said distal and proximal ends;
a second spinal fusion implant having a distal end, a proximal end, and opposing sidewalls extending between said distal and proximal ends, said second implant dimensioned to be introduced into a second intervertebral space through a generally lateral approach such that said proximal end faces a lateral aspect of the second intervertebral space;
a first screw dimensioned to be introduced through a generally lateral approach and secured through an aperture opening on the proximal end to at least one of said medial support and said distal end of said first implant;
a second screw dimensioned to be introduced through a generally lateral approach and secured to at least one of the lateral aspect of a vertebral body, a medial support of the second implant, and said distal end of said second implant; and
an elongate member dimensioned to be coupled to said first and second screws to minimize the spinal deformity.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of treating spinal deformities of claim 12, wherein said first screw is secured to the distal end of said first spinal fusion implant.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The system of treating spinal deformities of claim 12, wherein at least one of said first and second screws are introduced into said first and second spinal fusion implants, respectively, at least one of before, during, and after the first and second fusion implants are introduced into said first and second intervertebral spaces, respectively.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The system of treating spinal deformities of claim 12, wherein said first and second screws each includes a tulip-shaped housing.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The system of treating spinal deformities of claim 12, wherein at least one of said first and second screws are at least one of fixed-axis screws and variable angle screws.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The system of treating spinal deformities of claim 12, wherein said second screw is secured to at least one of a medial support and said distal end of said first and second implant.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The system of treating spinal deformities of claim 12, wherein said elongate member is secured to at least one of said first and second screws by a set screw.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The system of treating spinal deformities of claim 12, wherein the first end of said elongate member includes a shaped head member.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The system of treating spinal deformities of claim 12, wherein said elongate member is composed of at least one of steel, titanium, titanium alloy, Nitinol, nylon, plastic, and polymer.

### Claim 21 (depends on 12)

The system of treating spinal deformities of claim 12, wherein said elongate member is at least one of a cable and a rigid rod.

### Claim 22 (depends on 12)

The system of treating spinal deformities of claim 12, further comprising:
a third spinal fusion implant having a distal end, a proximal end, and opposing sidewalls extending between said distal and proximal ends, said third implant dimensioned to be introduced into a third intervertebral space through a generally lateral approach and secured to at least one of the lateral aspect of a vertebral body, a medial support of said second implant; said distal end of said second implant, a medial support of said third implant and said distal end of said third implant.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The system of treating spinal deformities of claim 22, wherein at least one of said first screw, said second screw, and said third screw includes a side-loading housing having an aperture dimensioned to receive said elongate member.

### Claim 24 (depends on 22)

The system of treating spinal deformities of claim 22, wherein at least one of said first screw, said second screw, and said third screw includes a threaded post on a first end, and wherein said elongate member has at least one aperture dimensioned to receive said threaded post of at least one of said first screw, said second screw, and said third screw.

### Claim 25

A method of treating spinal deformities comprising the steps of:
accessing an intervertebral space forming part of a spinal deformity via a generally lateral approach;
introducing a spinal fusion implant into said intervertebral space between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body via a generally lateral approach, said implant having a distal end and a proximal end extending between and transverse to an upper surface and a lower surface, opposing sidewalls extending between said distal and proximal ends, and a first and second fusion apertures being adjacent to one another and separated by a medial support extending between said opposing sidewalls and generally parallel to distal and proximal ends;
introducing a first bone screw through ha generally lateral approach and securing said first bone screw through an aperture opening on said proximal end to at least one of said medial support and said distal end of said first implant;
introducing a second bone screw through a generally lateral approach and securing said second bone screw to one of the lateral aspect of a vertebral body a medial support of a second implant, and a distal end of a second implant; and
coupling an elongate member to said first and second bone screws to minimize said spine deformity.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The method of treating spinal deformities of claim 25, wherein said step of coupling an elongate member includes manipulating said elongate member such that the distance between said first and second screws is reduced.