System and method for stabilizing bone segments

Claim 1

A device for stabilizing bone segments, said device comprising: at least one elongated rod member, said member defining at least one slotted opening therethrough and having a threaded exterior portion; and means for anchoring said at least one rod member to a plurality of bone segments, each said anchoring means comprising a post member adapted for engaging one of said bone segments, said post member having a proximal end, a distal end and a shoulder portion located between said proximal and said distal ends, wherein said proximal end is configured for passage through said at least one opening in said rod member and thereafter into a block nut member for securing said post member and said rod member, and wherein said distal end is threaded for insertion into and engagement with one of said bone segments, and further wherein said shoulder portion is adapted for spacing said rod member from said bone segments and is provided upon an upper portion thereof with a bevel adapted to facilitate a substantially locking engagement between said post member and said block nut member; a block nut member mounted upon said rod member for securing said rod member relative to said post member, said block nut member defining a bore extending substantially vertically therethrough, said bore configured and adapted to permit passage of at least a portion of said post member proximal end to create an interlocking fit with said post member; and at least one spacer member located between said post member shoulder portion and said block nut member, said at least one spacer member configured for controlling the distance between said shoulder portion and a lower surface of said block nut member.

Claim 2

A device for stabilizing bone segments, said device comprising: at least one elongated rod member, said member defining at least one slotted opening therethrough and having a threaded exterior portion; and means for anchoring said at least one rod member to a plurality of bone segments, each said anchoring means comprising a post member adapted for engaging one of said bone segments, said post member having a proximal end, a distal end and a shoulder portion located between said proximal and said distal ends, wherein said proximal end is configured for passage through said at least one opening in said rod member and thereafter into a block nut member for securing said post member and said rod member, and wherein said distal end is threaded for insertion into and engagement with one of said bone segments, and further wherein said shoulder portion is adapted for spacing said rod member from said bone segments and is provided upon an upper portion thereof with a bevel adapted to facilitate a substantially locking engagement between said post member and said block nut member; a block nut member mounted upon said rod member for securing said rod member relative to said post member, said block nut member defining a bore extending substantially vertically therethrough, said bore configured and adapted to permit passage of at least a portion of said post member proximal end to create an interlocking fit with said post member; and at least one spacer member located between said post member shoulder portion and said block nut member, said at least one spacer member configured for controlling the distance between said shoulder portion and a lower surface of said block nut member.

Claim 4

A device for stabilizing bone segments, said device comprising: at least one elongated rod member, said member defining at least one slotted opening therethrough and having a threaded exterior portion; and means for anchoring said at least one rod member to a plurality of bone segments, each said anchoring means comprising a post member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is configured and adapted for insertion through said at least one opening in said rod member and also through a block nut member adapted for securing said elongated rod member relative to said post member, and wherein said post member distal end is threaded for insertion into and engagement with one of said bone segments, and a block nut member mounted upon said rod member, said block nut member defining an axial bore extending longitudinally therethrough from a first side to a second side thereof configured and adapted for passage of at least a portion of said elongated rod member therethrough to permit adjustable positioning of said block nut member along said rod member, said block nut member further defining a substantially vertical bore configured for receiving the proximal end of said post member to create an interlocking fit with said post member.

Claim 5

A device for stabilizing bone segments, said device comprising: at least one elongated rod member, said member defining at least one slotted opening therethrough and having a threaded exterior portion; and means for anchoring said at least one rod member to a plurality of bone segments, each said anchoring means comprising a post member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is configured and adapted for insertion through said at least one opening in said rod member and also through a block nut member adapted for securing said elongated rod member relative to said post member, and wherein said post member distal end is threaded for insertion into and engagement with one of said bone segments, and a block nut member mounted upon said rod member, said block nut member defining an axial bore extending longitudinally therethrough from a first side to a second side thereof configured and adapted for passage of at least a portion of said elongated rod member therethrough to permit adjustable positioning of said block nut member along said rod member, said block nut member further defining a substantially vertical bore configured for receiving the proximal end of said post member to create an interlocking fit with said post member.

Claim 13

A device for stabilizing a plurality of spinal bone segments, said device comprising: at least one elongated rod member defining at least one slotted opening therethrough and having a threaded exterior portion; at least one adjustable block nut member, each said adjustable block nut member having an axial bore extending therethrough from a first side to a second side thereof, configured and adapted to permit adjustable positioning of said block nut member along said elongated rod member; and a substantially vertical bore adapted for engagement with at least a portion of a means for securing said block nut member to a bone segment; a post member for securing each said adjustable block nut member to a bone segment, each said post member having a proximal and a distal end, said distal end being threaded for insertion into and engagement with a spinal bone segment, said proximal end configured and adapted for insertion through said at least one slotted opening in said elongated rod member and into said substantially vertical bore in a corresponding adjustable block nut member; a locking member threadably engageable upon a correspondingly threaded portion of the proximal end of each said post member for locking together each said adjustable block nut member with a corresponding post member; and an end block member upon a terminal portion of each said elongated rod adjacent a sacrum portion of said spinal column for securing said elongated rod member to said sacrum, said end block member defining a first axial bore configured and adapted for receiving said terminal portion of said elongated rod and a second substantially vertical bore, spaced apart from said first bore, adapted for receiving a sacrum engaging screw for securing said end block member to said sacrum.

Claim 14

A device for stabilizing a plurality of spinal bone segments, said device comprising: at least one elongated rod member defining at least one slotted opening therethrough and having a threaded exterior portion; at least one adjustable block nut member, each said adjustable block nut member having an axial bore extending therethrough from a first side to a second side thereof, configured and adapted to permit adjustable positioning of said block nut member along said elongated rod member; and a substantially vertical bore adapted for engagement with at least a portion of a means for securing said block nut member to a bone segment; a post member for securing each said adjustable block nut member to a bone segment, each said post member having a proximal and a distal end, said distal end being threaded for insertion into and engagement with a spinal bone segment, said proximal end configured and adapted for insertion through said at least one slotted opening in said elongated rod member and into said substantially vertical bore in a corresponding adjustable block nut member; a locking member threadably engageable upon a correspondingly threaded portion of the proximal end of each said post member for locking together each said adjustable block nut member with a corresponding post member; and an end block member upon a terminal portion of each said elongated rod adjacent a sacrum portion of said spinal column for securing said elongated rod member to said sacrum, said end block member defining a first axial bore configured and adapted for receiving said terminal portion of said elongated rod and a second substantially vertical bore, spaced apart from said first bore, adapted for receiving a sacrum engaging screw for securing said end block member to said sacrum.

Claim 17

A device for stabilizing a plurality of spinal bone segments, said device comprising: at least one elongated rod member defining at least one slotted opening therethrough and having a threaded exterior portion; at least one adjustable block nut member, each said adjustable block nut member having an axial bore extending therethrough from a first side to a second side thereof, configured and adapted to permit adjustable positioning of said block nut member along said elongated rod member; and a substantially vertical bore adapted for engagement with at least a portion of a means for securing said block nut member to a bone segment; a post member for securing each said adjustable block nut member to a bone segment, each said post member having a proximal and a distal end, said distal end being threaded for insertion into and engagement with a bone segment, said proximal end configured and adapted for insertion through said at least one slotted opening in said elongated rod member and into said substantially vertical bore in a corresponding adjustable block nut member; a locking member threadably engageable upon a correspondingly threaded portion of the proximal end of each said post member for locking together each said adjustable block nut member with a corresponding post member; an end block member upon a terminal portion of each said elongated rod adjacent a sacrum portion of said spinal column for securing said elongated rod member to said sacrum, said end block member defining a first axial bore configured and adapted for receiving said terminal portion of said elongated rod and a second substantially vertical bore, spaced apart from said first bore, adapted for receiving a sacrum engaging screw for securing said end block to said sacrum; and a bore adjustment member interposed between said sacrum engaging screw and said sacrum, said bore adjustment member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end provided with an augur thread configuration adapted to permit creation of a new bore in said sacrum having a width greater than that of said sacrum engaging screw, and said proximal end having a threaded inner axial bore portion therein with a pitch and a diameter corresponding to that of a threaded portion of said sacrum engaging screw, said sacrum engaging screw thus being thereafter screwed into said axial bore of said bore adjustment member to provide a locking engagement therebetween.

Claim 18

A device for stabilizing a plurality of spinal bone segments, said device comprising: at least one elongated rod member defining at least one slotted opening therethrough and having a threaded exterior portion; at least one adjustable block nut member, each said adjustable block nut member having an axial bore extending therethrough from a first side to a second side thereof, configured and adapted to permit adjustable positioning of said block nut member along said elongated rod member; and a substantially vertical bore adapted for engagement with at least a portion of a means for securing said block nut member to a bone segment; a post member for securing each said adjustable block nut member to a bone segment, each said post member having a proximal and a distal end, said distal end being threaded for insertion into and engagement with a bone segment, said proximal end configured and adapted for insertion through said at least one slotted opening in said elongated rod member and into said substantially vertical bore in a corresponding adjustable block nut member; a locking member threadably engageable upon a correspondingly threaded portion of the proximal end of each said post member for locking together each said adjustable block nut member with a corresponding post member; an end block member upon a terminal portion of each said elongated rod adjacent a sacrum portion of said spinal column for securing said elongated rod member to said sacrum, said end block member defining a first axial bore configured and adapted for receiving said terminal portion of said elongated rod and a second substantially vertical bore, spaced apart from said first bore, adapted for receiving a sacrum engaging screw for securing said end block to said sacrum; and a bore adjustment member interposed between said sacrum engaging screw and said sacrum, said bore adjustment member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end provided with an augur thread configuration adapted to permit creation of a new bore in said sacrum having a width greater than that of said sacrum engaging screw, and said proximal end having a threaded inner axial bore portion therein with a pitch and a diameter corresponding to that of a threaded portion of said sacrum engaging screw, said sacrum engaging screw thus being thereafter screwed into said axial bore of said bore adjustment member to provide a locking engagement therebetween.

Claim 19

A device for stabilizing bone segments, said device comprising: (a) first and second fixation assemblies, each said fixation assembly comprising at least one elongated rod member defining at least one slotted opening therethrough and having a threaded exterior portion; at least one adjustable block nut member, each said adjustable block nut member having an axial bore extending therethrough from a first side to a second side thereof, configured and adapted to permit adjustable positioning of said block nut member along said elongated rod member; and a substantially vertical bore adapted for engagement with at least a portion of a means for securing said block nut member to a bone segment; a post member for use in securing each said adjustable block nut member to a bone segment, each said post member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being threaded for insertion into and engagement with a spinal bone segment, said proximal end configured and adapted for insertion through said at least one slotted opening in said elongated rod member and into said substantially vertical bore in a corresponding adjustable block nut member; a locking member threadably engageable upon a correspondingly threaded portion of the proximal end of each said post member for locking together each said block nut member with a corresponding post member; and (b) at least one means for transversely interconnecting said first and second fixation assemblies and thereby maintaining said assemblies in substantially parallel relation to each other.

Claim 20

A device for stabilizing bone segments, said device comprising: (a) first and second fixation assemblies, each said fixation assembly comprising at least one elongated rod member defining at least one slotted opening therethrough and having a threaded exterior portion; at least one adjustable block nut member, each said adjustable block nut member having an axial bore extending therethrough from a first side to a second side thereof, configured and adapted to permit adjustable positioning of said block nut member along said elongated rod member; and a substantially vertical bore adapted for engagement with at least a portion of a means for securing said block nut member to a bone segment; a post member for use in securing each said adjustable block nut member to a bone segment, each said post member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being threaded for insertion into and engagement with a spinal bone segment, said proximal end configured and adapted for insertion through said at least one slotted opening in said elongated rod member and into said substantially vertical bore in a corresponding adjustable block nut member; a locking member threadably engageable upon a correspondingly threaded portion of the proximal end of each said post member for locking together each said block nut member with a corresponding post member; and (b) at least one means for transversely interconnecting said first and second fixation assemblies and thereby maintaining said assemblies in substantially parallel relation to each other.

Claim 29

A method for supplying selective angular corrective forces to a plurality of spinal bone segments, said method comprising: providing a surgical incision on a dorsal surface of a patient adjacent said patient's spinal column; installing, upon said spinal column, a stabilization device comprising (a) first and second fixation assemblies, each said fixation assembly comprising at least one elongated rod member defining at least one slotted opening therethrough and having a threaded exterior portion; at least one adjustable block nut member, each said adjustable block member having an axial bore extending therethrough from a first side to a second side thereof, configured and adapted to permit adjustable positioning of said block nut member along said elongated rod member; and a substantially vertical bore adapted for engagement with at least a portion of means for securing said block nut member to a bone segment; a post member for use in securing each said adjustable block nut member to a bone segment, each said post member having a proximal and a distal end, said distal end being threaded for insertion into and engagement with a spinal bone segment, said proximal end configured and adapted for insertion through said at least one slotted opening in said elongated rod member and into said substantially vertical bore in a corresponding adjustable block nut member; a locking member threadably engageable upon a correspondingly threaded portion of the proximal end of each said post member for locking together each said block nut member with a corresponding post member, and an end block member located upon a lower terminal portion of each said elongated rod adjacent a sacrum portion of said spinal column for securing said elongated rod member to said sacrum, said end block member defining a first axial bore configured and adapted for receiving said terminal portion of said elongated rod and a second substantially vertical bore, spaced apart from said first bore, adapted for receiving a sacrum engaging screw for securing said end block to said sacrum; and (b) at least one means for interconnecting said first and second fixation assemblies and thereby maintaining said assemblies in substantially parallel relation to each other; and adjusting said stabilization device to provide graded angular movement to said spinal bone segments.

Claim 30

A method for supplying selective angular corrective forces to a plurality of spinal bone segments, said method comprising: providing a surgical incision on a dorsal surface of a patient adjacent said patient's spinal column; installing, upon said spinal column, a stabilization device comprising (a) first and second fixation assemblies, each said fixation assembly comprising at least one elongated rod member defining at least one slotted opening therethrough and having a threaded exterior portion; at least one adjustable block nut member, each said adjustable block member having an axial bore extending therethrough from a first side to a second side thereof, configured and adapted to permit adjustable positioning of said block nut member along said elongated rod member; and a substantially vertical bore adapted for engagement with at least a portion of means for securing said block nut member to a bone segment; a post member for use in securing each said adjustable block nut member to a bone segment, each said post member having a proximal and a distal end, said distal end being threaded for insertion into and engagement with a spinal bone segment, said proximal end configured and adapted for insertion through said at least one slotted opening in said elongated rod member and into said substantially vertical bore in a corresponding adjustable block nut member; a locking member threadably engageable upon a correspondingly threaded portion of the proximal end of each said post member for locking together each said block nut member with a corresponding post member, and an end block member located upon a lower terminal portion of each said elongated rod adjacent a sacrum portion of said spinal column for securing said elongated rod member to said sacrum, said end block member defining a first axial bore configured and adapted for receiving said terminal portion of said elongated rod and a second substantially vertical bore, spaced apart from said first bore, adapted for receiving a sacrum engaging screw for securing said end block to said sacrum; and (b) at least one means for interconnecting said first and second fixation assemblies and thereby maintaining said assemblies in substantially parallel relation to each other; and adjusting said stabilization device to provide graded angular movement to said spinal bone segments.