Apparatus, method and system for the treatment of spinal conditions

Claim 1

A method for treating spinal conditions by spatially fixing at least a first vertebra relative to a second vertebra while leaving exposed at least a lateral marginal area of the lamina of one of said vertebrae, the method including steps of: fixing a first attachment member to the first vertebra at a selected position; fixing a second attachment member to the second vertebra at a selected position; providing at least one one-piece spinal implant link member in the form of a substantially flat plate having an apertured first end, an apertured second end, and an offset middle portion, the first and second ends of the link member defining an open space therebetween which space is disposed adjacent the middle portion and extends away from the middle portion; attaching said first end of said at least one link member to said first attachment member which is fixed to the first vertebra by placing the aperture in said first end around the first attachment member; and attaching said second end of said at least one link member to said second attachment member which is fixed to the second vertebra by placing the aperture in said second end around the second attachment member, so that a force is exerted on the first vertebra by said at least one link member; whereby a lateral marginal area of the lamina of one of said vertebrae is exposed by said space of said link member and provides an area for performing a bone graft.

Claim 2

A method for treating spinal conditions by spatially fixing at least a first vertebra relative to a second vertebra while leaving exposed at least a lateral marginal area of the lamina of one of said vertebrae, the method including steps of: fixing a first attachment member to the first vertebra at a selected position; fixing a second attachment member to the second vertebra at a selected position; providing at least one one-piece spinal implant link member in the form of a substantially flat plate having an apertured first end, an apertured second end, and an offset middle portion, the first and second ends of the link member defining an open space therebetween which space is disposed adjacent the middle portion and extends away from the middle portion; attaching said first end of said at least one link member to said first attachment member which is fixed to the first vertebra by placing the aperture in said first end around the first attachment member; and attaching said second end of said at least one link member to said second attachment member which is fixed to the second vertebra by placing the aperture in said second end around the second attachment member, so that a force is exerted on the first vertebra by said at least one link member; whereby a lateral marginal area of the lamina of one of said vertebrae is exposed by said space of said link member and provides an area for performing a bone graft.

Claim 6

A system for treating spinal conditions such as spinal instability and deformities by applying force to selected vertebrae, the system comprising: a plurality of links each configured to be secured to adjacent vertebrae to exert a desired force on at least one vertebra; each link being in the form of a one-piece member having opposite ends with an aperture in each end, and a central portion extending between said opposite ends, each of said opposite ends having means for locking the end of one link to the end of another link at various desired angular positions with the end of one link overlying and abutting the end of an adjacent link; said plurality of links being configured for attachment to each other with one of said opposite ends of a first link overlying and abutting one of said opposite ends of a second link to form a linked construct that extends between two distal points on said vertebrae, the individual links of said plurality of links each being connectible to selected points on adjacent vertebrae so as to permit said linked construct to follow a nonlinear path between said two distal points; and means for securing each of said plurality of links to adjacent vertebrae and to at least one additional link of said plurality to form said linked construct which exerts the desired force on said selected vertebra.

Claim 7

A system for treating spinal conditions such as spinal instability and deformities by applying force to selected vertebrae, the system comprising: a plurality of links each configured to be secured to adjacent vertebrae to exert a desired force on at least one vertebra; each link being in the form of a one-piece member having opposite ends with an aperture in each end, and a central portion extending between said opposite ends, each of said opposite ends having means for locking the end of one link to the end of another link at various desired angular positions with the end of one link overlying and abutting the end of an adjacent link; said plurality of links being configured for attachment to each other with one of said opposite ends of a first link overlying and abutting one of said opposite ends of a second link to form a linked construct that extends between two distal points on said vertebrae, the individual links of said plurality of links each being connectible to selected points on adjacent vertebrae so as to permit said linked construct to follow a nonlinear path between said two distal points; and means for securing each of said plurality of links to adjacent vertebrae and to at least one additional link of said plurality to form said linked construct which exerts the desired force on said selected vertebra.

Claim 13

An apparatus for treating spinal conditions and for being attached to adjacent vertebrae so as to exert a force on said vertebrae while exposing a surface of one of the vertebrae which is usable for a bone graft or fusion, the apparatus comprising: means for connecting a first vertebra to a second vertebra, said means including a one-piece link member having opposite ends and a central portion connecting said opposite ends, the opposite ends each having an aperture therein configured to receive an attachment device for respectively attaching the opposite ends of the link member to the first and second vertebrae; and wherein the central portion of said link member is offset from said opposite ends of the link member and disposed away from a line connecting the midpoints of said apertures in a direction which is transverse to said line to define an open space between said opposite ends; wherein said link member is curved in a first plane such that a first surface of the link member is substantially convex shaped and a second surface of the link member is substantially concave shaped, and wherein said ends of the link member are substantially flat and said substantially convex and concave surfaces extend between the ends; whereby when said link member is attached to the respective vertebrae a lateral margin of one of said vertebrae is substantially uncovered within said open space to provide bone volume that can be used for bone grafts or fusion.

Claim 14

An apparatus for treating spinal conditions and for being attached to adjacent vertebrae so as to exert a force on said vertebrae while exposing a surface of one of the vertebrae which is usable for a bone graft or fusion, the apparatus comprising: means for connecting a first vertebra to a second vertebra, said means including a one-piece link member having opposite ends and a central portion connecting said opposite ends, the opposite ends each having an aperture therein configured to receive an attachment device for respectively attaching the opposite ends of the link member to the first and second vertebrae; and wherein the central portion of said link member is offset from said opposite ends of the link member and disposed away from a line connecting the midpoints of said apertures in a direction which is transverse to said line to define an open space between said opposite ends; wherein said link member is curved in a first plane such that a first surface of the link member is substantially convex shaped and a second surface of the link member is substantially concave shaped, and wherein said ends of the link member are substantially flat and said substantially convex and concave surfaces extend between the ends; whereby when said link member is attached to the respective vertebrae a lateral margin of one of said vertebrae is substantially uncovered within said open space to provide bone volume that can be used for bone grafts or fusion.

Claim 17

An apparatus for spatially fixing a first vertebra with respect to a second vertebra, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of hook members each configured to engage the lamina of a vertebra, each hook member being substantially L-shaped and including a pad portion connected to an extended portion, the pad portion extending transversely and substantially horizontally from the extended portion, the pad portion having an upper surface defining a support for receiving a lamina of a vertebra, wherein the extended portion comprises a threaded shaft which extends upwardly from said transverse pad portion in a substantially vertical direction, the extended portion and the transverse pad portion forming the L-shape of said hook member, said extended portion being configured to receive a spinal fixation device so that said device is spaced from the pad portion of said hook member with a lamina of a vertebra captured therebetween; and at least one spinal fixation device having opposite ends with an opening in each of said ends for receiving therein the extended portion of one of the hook members; whereby a first hook member may be positioned on the lamina of a first vertebra and a second hook member may be positioned on the lamina of a second vertebra, and the opposite ends of the spinal fixation device may be positioned, respectively, on the extended portions of the first and second hook members to connect the first and second hook members.

Claim 18

An apparatus for spatially fixing a first vertebra with respect to a second vertebra, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of hook members each configured to engage the lamina of a vertebra, each hook member being substantially L-shaped and including a pad portion connected to an extended portion, the pad portion extending transversely and substantially horizontally from the extended portion, the pad portion having an upper surface defining a support for receiving a lamina of a vertebra, wherein the extended portion comprises a threaded shaft which extends upwardly from said transverse pad portion in a substantially vertical direction, the extended portion and the transverse pad portion forming the L-shape of said hook member, said extended portion being configured to receive a spinal fixation device so that said device is spaced from the pad portion of said hook member with a lamina of a vertebra captured therebetween; and at least one spinal fixation device having opposite ends with an opening in each of said ends for receiving therein the extended portion of one of the hook members; whereby a first hook member may be positioned on the lamina of a first vertebra and a second hook member may be positioned on the lamina of a second vertebra, and the opposite ends of the spinal fixation device may be positioned, respectively, on the extended portions of the first and second hook members to connect the first and second hook members.

Claim 22

A method for treating spinal conditions by spatially fixing at least a first vertebra relative to a second vertebra while leaving exposed at least a lateral marginal area of the lamina of one of said vertebrae, the method including steps of: (a) positioning a first laminar hook member on the first vertebra at a selected position; (b) positioning a second laminar hook member on the first vertebra at another selected position; (c) providing at least first and second one-piece spinal implant link members, each member having an apertured first end, an apertured second end, and an offset middle portion, the first and second ends of each link member defining a space therebetween which space is disposed adjacent the middle portion and extends away from the middle portion to a line connecting the apertures in the ends of each link member; (d) attaching the first end of said first link member to the first laminar hook member and attaching the second end of said first link member to the second laminar hook member to capture a portion of the first vertebra between the respective hook members; (e) attaching one end of the second link member to the second vertebra; and (f) attaching the first link member to the second link member with one of the ends of the first link member overlying the other end of the second link member; whereby a lateral marginal area of the lamina of one of said vertebra is exposed by the space defined by the offset middle portion of at least one of the link members to provide an area for performing a bone graft.

Claim 23

A method for treating spinal conditions by spatially fixing at least a first vertebra relative to a second vertebra while leaving exposed at least a lateral marginal area of the lamina of one of said vertebrae, the method including steps of: (a) positioning a first laminar hook member on the first vertebra at a selected position; (b) positioning a second laminar hook member on the first vertebra at another selected position; (c) providing at least first and second one-piece spinal implant link members, each member having an apertured first end, an apertured second end, and an offset middle portion, the first and second ends of each link member defining a space therebetween which space is disposed adjacent the middle portion and extends away from the middle portion to a line connecting the apertures in the ends of each link member; (d) attaching the first end of said first link member to the first laminar hook member and attaching the second end of said first link member to the second laminar hook member to capture a portion of the first vertebra between the respective hook members; (e) attaching one end of the second link member to the second vertebra; and (f) attaching the first link member to the second link member with one of the ends of the first link member overlying the other end of the second link member; whereby a lateral marginal area of the lamina of one of said vertebra is exposed by the space defined by the offset middle portion of at least one of the link members to provide an area for performing a bone graft.

Claim 25

An apparatus for treating spinal conditions by spatially fixing a first vertebra with respect to additional vertebrae, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of attachment members each of which has means for being attached to a vertebra; a plurality of link members each adapted to be secured to adjacent vertebrae, each link member being a one-piece, substantially V-shaped flat plate having opposite ends and a central portion connecting said ends, the opposite ends each having an aperture therein configured to receive the attachment members to secure the link member to said adjacent vertebrae; the central portion of each of said plurality of link members being offset from said opposite ends of the link member and forming the apex of the V-shaped flat plate while defining a space between said opposite ends; and wherein the opposite ends of each link member have means for locking the end of a first link to the end of a second link at various desired angular positions with the end of the first link overlying and abutting the end of the second link; whereby when one of the link members is fixed to adjacent vertebra, a portion of the surface of at least one of the vertebrae is exposed in the space between the opposite ends of the link member to provide a surface that can be utilized for a bone graft.

Claim 26

An apparatus for treating spinal conditions by spatially fixing a first vertebra with respect to additional vertebrae, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of attachment members each of which has means for being attached to a vertebra; a plurality of link members each adapted to be secured to adjacent vertebrae, each link member being a one-piece, substantially V-shaped flat plate having opposite ends and a central portion connecting said ends, the opposite ends each having an aperture therein configured to receive the attachment members to secure the link member to said adjacent vertebrae; the central portion of each of said plurality of link members being offset from said opposite ends of the link member and forming the apex of the V-shaped flat plate while defining a space between said opposite ends; and wherein the opposite ends of each link member have means for locking the end of a first link to the end of a second link at various desired angular positions with the end of the first link overlying and abutting the end of the second link; whereby when one of the link members is fixed to adjacent vertebra, a portion of the surface of at least one of the vertebrae is exposed in the space between the opposite ends of the link member to provide a surface that can be utilized for a bone graft.

Claim 32

An apparatus for treating spinal conditions by spatially fixing a first vertebra with respect to additional vertebrae, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of attachment members each of which has means for being attached to a vertebra; a plurality of link members each adapted to be secured to adjacent vertebrae, each link member being a one-piece, substantially C-shaped flat plate having opposite ends and a straight central portion connecting said opposite ends, with the opposite ends extending away from the straight central portion, each of the opposite ends having an aperture therein configured to receive the attachment members to secure the link member to said adjacent vertebrae; the straight central portion of each of said plurality of link members being offset from said opposite ends of the link member and defining a space between said opposite ends; and wherein the opposite ends of each link member have means for locking the end of a first link to the end of a second link at various desired angular positions with the end of the first link overlying and abutting the end of the second link; whereby when one of the link members is fixed to adjacent vertebra, a portion of the surface of at least one of the vertebrae is exposed in the space between the opposite ends of the link member to provide a surface that can be utilized for a bone graft.

Claim 33

An apparatus for treating spinal conditions by spatially fixing a first vertebra with respect to additional vertebrae, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of attachment members each of which has means for being attached to a vertebra; a plurality of link members each adapted to be secured to adjacent vertebrae, each link member being a one-piece, substantially C-shaped flat plate having opposite ends and a straight central portion connecting said opposite ends, with the opposite ends extending away from the straight central portion, each of the opposite ends having an aperture therein configured to receive the attachment members to secure the link member to said adjacent vertebrae; the straight central portion of each of said plurality of link members being offset from said opposite ends of the link member and defining a space between said opposite ends; and wherein the opposite ends of each link member have means for locking the end of a first link to the end of a second link at various desired angular positions with the end of the first link overlying and abutting the end of the second link; whereby when one of the link members is fixed to adjacent vertebra, a portion of the surface of at least one of the vertebrae is exposed in the space between the opposite ends of the link member to provide a surface that can be utilized for a bone graft.

Claim 34

An apparatus for treating spinal conditions by spatially fixing a first vertebra with respect to additional vertebrae, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of attachment members each of which has means for being attached to a vertebra; a plurality of link members each adapted to be secured to adjacent vertebrae, each link member being a one-piece, substantially V-shaped rod having opposite ends and a central portion connecting said ends, the opposite ends each having an aperture therein configured to receive the attachment members to secure the link member to said adjacent vertebrae; the central portion of each of said plurality of link members being offset from said opposite ends of the link member and forming the apex of the V-shaped rod while defining a space between said opposite ends; and wherein the opposite ends of each link member have means for locking the end of a first link to the end of a second link at various desired angular positions with the end of the first link overlying and abutting the end of the second link; whereby when one of the link members is fixed to adjacent vertebra, a portion of the surface of at least one of the vertebrae is exposed in the space between the opposite ends of the link member to provide a surface that can be utilized for a bone graft.

Claim 35

An apparatus for treating spinal conditions by spatially fixing a first vertebra with respect to additional vertebrae, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of attachment members each of which has means for being attached to a vertebra; a plurality of link members each adapted to be secured to adjacent vertebrae, each link member being a one-piece, substantially V-shaped rod having opposite ends and a central portion connecting said ends, the opposite ends each having an aperture therein configured to receive the attachment members to secure the link member to said adjacent vertebrae; the central portion of each of said plurality of link members being offset from said opposite ends of the link member and forming the apex of the V-shaped rod while defining a space between said opposite ends; and wherein the opposite ends of each link member have means for locking the end of a first link to the end of a second link at various desired angular positions with the end of the first link overlying and abutting the end of the second link; whereby when one of the link members is fixed to adjacent vertebra, a portion of the surface of at least one of the vertebrae is exposed in the space between the opposite ends of the link member to provide a surface that can be utilized for a bone graft.

Claim 36

An apparatus for treating spinal conditions by spatially fixing a first vertebra with respect to additional vertebrae, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of attachment members each of which has means for being attached to a vertebra; a plurality of link members each adapted to be secured to adjacent vertebrae, each link member being a ,one-piece, substantially C-shaped rod having opposite ends and a straight central portion connecting said opposite ends, with the opposite ends extending away from the straight central portion, each of the opposite ends having an aperture therein configured to receive the attachment members to secure the link member to said adjacent vertebrae; the straight central portion of each of said plurality of link members being offset from said opposite ends of the link member and defining a space between said opposite ends; and wherein the opposite ends of each link member have means for locking the end of a first link to the end of a second link at various desired angular positions with the end of the first link overlying and abutting the end of the second link; whereby when one of the link members is fixed to adjacent vertebra, a portion of the surface of at least one of the vertebrae is exposed in the space between the opposite ends of the link member to provide a surface that can be utilized for a bone graft.

Claim 37

An apparatus for treating spinal conditions by spatially fixing a first vertebra with respect to additional vertebrae, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of attachment members each of which has means for being attached to a vertebra; a plurality of link members each adapted to be secured to adjacent vertebrae, each link member being a ,one-piece, substantially C-shaped rod having opposite ends and a straight central portion connecting said opposite ends, with the opposite ends extending away from the straight central portion, each of the opposite ends having an aperture therein configured to receive the attachment members to secure the link member to said adjacent vertebrae; the straight central portion of each of said plurality of link members being offset from said opposite ends of the link member and defining a space between said opposite ends; and wherein the opposite ends of each link member have means for locking the end of a first link to the end of a second link at various desired angular positions with the end of the first link overlying and abutting the end of the second link; whereby when one of the link members is fixed to adjacent vertebra, a portion of the surface of at least one of the vertebrae is exposed in the space between the opposite ends of the link member to provide a surface that can be utilized for a bone graft.