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US 8,475,498 B2Granted
Dynamic stabilization connecting member with cord connection
AssigneeNone recorded
InventorRoger P. Jackson
Life of this patent
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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorRoger P. Jackson
Estimating the term…
A dynamic fixation medical implant having at least two bone anchors includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having at least one transition portion and cooperating outer sleeve, both the transition portion and sleeve being disposed between the two bone anchors. In a first embodiment, the transition portion includes a rigid length or rod having apertures therein for tying or otherwise attaching the rigid length to a second rigid length or to a flexible cord. Slender ties or cords extend through a plurality of apertures in the rigid lengths or are threaded, tied or plaited to the larger flexible cord or cable. In a second embodiment, a transition portion includes slender ties of a cord that are imbedded in a molded plastic of a more rigid member. The outer sleeve may include compression grooves. The sleeve surrounds the transition portion and extends between the pair of bone anchors, the sleeve being compressible in a longitudinal direction between the bone anchors.
In a medical spinal implant assembly having at least two bone anchors cooperating with a longitudinal connecting member, the improvement wherein the connecting member comprises:
In a medical implant assembly having at least two bone attachment structures cooperating with a longitudinal connecting member, the improvement wherein the connecting member comprises:
In a medical spinal implant assembly having at least first, second and third bone anchors cooperating with a longitudinal connecting member, the improvement wherein the connecting member comprises:
In a medical implant assembly having at least first, second and third bone attachment structures cooperating with a longitudinal connecting member, the improvement wherein the connecting member comprises:
In a medical spinal implant assembly having at least two bone anchors cooperating with a longitudinal connecting member, the improvement wherein the connecting member comprises:
In a medical implant assembly having at least two bone attachment structures cooperating with a longitudinal connecting member joined to the bone attachment structures, the improvement wherein the connecting member comprises:
In a medical implant assembly having at least two bone attachment structures cooperating with a longitudinal connecting member joined to the bone attachment structures, the improvement wherein the connecting member comprises:
In a medical implant assembly having at least two bone attachment structures cooperating with a longitudinal connecting member, the improvement wherein the connecting member comprises:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Longitudinal elements having flexible parts, or parts connected together, such that after implantation the elements can move relative to each…
Screws or hooks combined with longitudinal elements which do not contact vertebrae: screws or hooks with U-shaped head or back through which…
Longitudinal elements having flexible parts, or parts connected together, such that after implantation the elements can move relative to each…
Longitudinal elements, e.g. rods: with a cross-section which varies along its length
About 4 years 2 months of term left · ends 5 Jan 2031 (estimated)
The present invention is directed to dynamic fixation assemblies for use in bone surgery, particularly spinal surgery, and in particular to longitudinal connecting members for such assemblies, the connecting members being attached to at least two bone fasteners.
Historically, it has been common to fuse adjacent vertebrae that are placed in fixed relation by the installation therealong of bone screws or other bone anchors and cooperating longitudinal connecting members or other elongate members. Fusion results in the permanent immobilization of one or more of the intervertebral joints. Because the anchoring of bone screws, hooks and other types of anchors directly to a vertebra can result in significant forces being placed on the vertebra, and such forces may ultimately result in the loosening of the bone screw or other anchor from the vertebra, fusion allows for the growth and development of a bone counterpart to the longitudinal connecting member that can maintain the spine in the desired position even if the implants ultimately fail or are removed. Because fusion has been a desired component of spinal stabilization procedures, longitudinal connecting members have been designed that are of a material, size and shape to largely resist flexure, extension, torsion, distraction and compression, and thus substantially immobilize the portion of the spine that is to be fused. Thus, longitudinal connecting members are typically uniform along an entire length thereof, and usually made from a single or integral piece of material having a uniform diameter or width of a size to provide substantially rigid support in all planes.
Fusion, however, has some undesirable side effects. One apparent side effect is the immobilization of a portion of the spine. Furthermore, although fusion may result in a strengthened portion of the spine, it also has been linked to more rapid degeneration due to increased stresses and even hyper-mobility and collapse of spinal motion segments that are adjacent to the portion of the spine being fused, reducing or eliminating the ability of such spinal joints to move in a more normal relation to one another. In certain instances, fusion has also failed to provide pain relief.
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a dynamic fixation longitudinal connecting member according to the invention including first and second rigid rod portions and a flexible transition/connection portion.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the connecting member of FIG. 1 and further including a wound cord cover.
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the connecting member of FIG. 2 and further including an outer sleeve.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. It is also noted that any reference to the words top, bottom, up and down, and the like, in this application refers to the alignment shown in the various drawings, as well as the normal connotations applied to such devices, and is not intended to restrict positioning of the connecting member assemblies of the application and cooperating bone anchors in actual use.
With reference to FIGS. 1-5 and 10-12, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a non-fusion dynamic stabilization longitudinal connecting member assembly according to the present invention. The connecting member assembly 1 generally includes first and second substantially rigid members 6 and 7 with a central, dynamic connection or transition portion or segment 8 disposed therebetween. A tie or a plurality of ties 10 link the rigid members 6 and 7 at the central segment 8. The ties 10 may be any flexible elongate material that fastens, secures or unites the rigid members 6 and 7, including, but not limited to cords, threads, strings, bands, or fibers that may be single or multiple strands, including twisted, braided or plaited materials. The central segment 8 can further include an inner discrete bumper 11, a wound cover 12 and an outer sleeve or spacer 14.
Each of the illustrated rigid members 6 and 7 are substantially cylindrical with one or more circular cross-sections along a length thereof. However, it is foreseen that the members 6 and 7 may have other forms, including but not limited to oval, square and rectangular cross-sections as well as other curved or polygonal shapes. It is foreseen that the member 6 and 7 may be of different materials, different shapes or different sizes, and thus one member may be more rigid or more flexible than the other member. The members 6 and 7 each are of a length for cooperating with at least one and up to a plurality of bone attachment members, such as bone screws or hooks. In the illustrated embodiment the rigid members 6 and 7 include respective end portions 16 and 17 of a larger diameter being integral or fixed with respective portions 20 and 21 of smaller diameter. A tapered portion 24 is disposed between the portion 16 and the portion 20. A tapered portion 25 is disposed between the portion 17 and the portion 21. In some operational embodiments, the bumper 11 may be disposed between and abut against the portions 20 and 21, as illustrated in FIG. 12. As will be described in greater detail below, the bumper 11 and the portions 20 and 21 are connected by the ties 10; the wound cord cover 12 wraps about the portions 20 and 21 and the bumper 11, forming the central connection or transition portion 8; and the connection portion 8 is received in the outer sleeve or spacer 14. The dynamic connecting member assembly 1 cooperates with at least a pair of bone anchors, such as the polyaxial bone screws, generally 30 and cooperating closure structures 32 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the assembly 1 being captured and fixed in place at the larger diameter rigid end portions 16 and 17 by cooperation between the bone screws 30 and the closure structures 32. The sleeve 14 can be cut to size and is shaped to closely fit between pairs of bone screws 30 or other bone anchors or implants, cooperating with the wrapped central connection portion 8 to support adjacent vertebrae.