System and method for cervical midline fixation
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorsJohn Riley Hawkins, Thomas J. Gamache, Michael Sorrenti, Alexander Grinberg, Michael A. Fisher
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Abstract
Devices and methods for enhancing the effectiveness of spinal stabilization, and particularly that of cervical spinal stabilization, are provided herein. More specifically, methods and systems are disclosed for effectively positioning occipital plates and spinal fixation assemblies within target vertebrae, while also reducing any associated patient trauma (e.g., muscle stripping, tissue damage, etc.). The systems and methods can utilize trans-lamina delivery of the spinal fixation assemblies to allow for the positioning of the fixation elements along the midline of the patient's spine.
Claims15
A spinal fixation assembly, comprising:
- a housing having an anterior base and a pair of arms extending posteriorly therefrom, the pair of arms defining a slot therebetween configured to seat a spinal fixation element, the slot extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing and configured to be aligned with a midline of the spine;
- the housing having a central axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and extending through the base and the slot;
- an anchor-receiving opening formed in one of the pair of arms and extending between the slot and a concave bone contacting surface of the arm adjacent the base;
- and
- an anchor member having a head positionable within the anchor-receiving opening and a shank configured to engage bone;
- wherein the anchor-receiving opening is disposed entirely on one side of the central axis and configured such that when the head of the anchor member is completely disposed within the housing, the head is disposed entirely on one side of the central axis and the shank extends anteriorly and laterally away from the housing at an acute angle relative to the central axis.
A spinal fixation system, comprising:
- a housing having a base and first and second arms extending therefrom, the first and second arms defining a slot therebetween, the slot extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing and being configured to be aligned with a midline of a subject's spine, the housing having a central axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and extending through the base and the slot;
- a spinal fixation element configured to be disposed in the slot such that the spinal fixation element extends along the midline of the subject's spine;
- an anchor member configured to be disposed through an anchor-receiving opening extending through the first arm between the slot and a bone contacting surface of the first arm;
- and
- a closure mechanism configured to threadably engage the first and second arms for securing the spinal fixation element within the slot;
- wherein, when the closure mechanism threadably engages the first and second arms such that the spinal fixation element and the head of the anchor member are secured within the housing, and the head of the anchor member is completely disposed within the housing, the central axis extends through a center of the closure mechanism and through the spinal fixation element, the head of the anchor member is disposed entirely on one side of the central axis, and a shank of the anchor member extends away from the housing at an acute angle relative to the central axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.