Methods and systems for constraint of spinous processes with attachment
AssigneesThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Simpirica Spine, Inc.
InventorsTodd Alamin, Ian Bennett, Louis Fielding, Colin Cahill
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Abstract
Spinal implants for limiting flexion of the spine are implanted between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process or sacrum. The implants include upper straps which are placed over the upper spinous process, while the lower portions of the implant are attached to the adjacent vertebra or sacrum. The attachments may be fixed, for example using screws or other anchors, or may be non-fixed, for example by placing a loop strap through a hole in the spinous process or sacrum.
Claims9
A method for restricting flexion of a spine, said method comprising:
- positioning a first segment of a tether structure over a spinous process of a vertebra without attachment;
- and
- attaching at least one other segment of the tether structure to an adjacent vertebra or sacrum, wherein the first segment and the at least one other segment are attached to each other by a separate compliance member;
- wherein the compliance member elastically elongates to controllably restrict flexion and the at least one other segment of the tether structure includes two segments each having an end segment which is fixedly attached to the adjacent vertebra or sacrum with one or more anchors so that said end segment will be fixed at a point of attachment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.