US6458131B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for reducing spinal deformity
Assignee: Salut Ltd
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Filing: 2000-08-07
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Granted: 2002-10-01
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Expires: 2020-08-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for the treatment of abnormal spinal curvature, such as, scoliosis, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of clamp sets and a single rail. The clamp set for affixing to a vertebra has a transverse plate having a center region and a first and a second end. The first end has a first pedicle extension, and the second end has a second pedicle extension. At least one pedicle extension is used to transmit a downward force during rotation of the vertebra. The clamp set also includes a first laminar hook located on the first end of the plate and is integral with the plate to hook on a superior portion of a first lamina of a vertebra. The clamp set also includes a second laminar hook to hook from an opposite direction on an inferior portion of a second lamina of the vertebra. The second hook is adjustable to allow clamping and unclamping of the clamp set. The clamp set includes a rail coupling member having a slot to receive a rail. The rail coupling member is located on the center region of the plate, and the slot is configured to accept the rail cross-sectional shape. A plurality of the clamp sets are attached along a portion of the spine, followed by adjustment and fixation of the individual clamp sets prior to attaching a rail. The rail is inserted into the slots of each clamp set to hold the clamp sets in the reduced form and in relation to one another. In one instance, the rail may have a plurality of sides.
Inventors
- 👤 R. Charles Ray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7044; A61B17/7047; A61B17/7074; A61B17/7076; A61B17/80; A61B17/8004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for reducing spinal deformities, comprising: a plurality of vertebra clamp sets, wherein each set has a transverse plate with a center region and a first and a second end, the center region has a coupling member with a slot centered between the first and second ends and configured to receive rail and wherein each end has a surface with a plurality of curves configured to conform to the contours of the vertebra pedicle; and a rail which is coupled to each clamp set.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for reducing spinal deformities, comprising: a plurality of vertebra clamp sets, wherein each set has a transverse plate with a center region and a first and a second end, the center region has a coupling member with a slot centered between the first and second ends and configured to receive rail and wherein each end has a surface with a plurality of curves configured to conform to the contours of the vertebra pedicle; and a rail which is coupled to each clamp set.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the clamp sets further comprises: a first laminar hook to hook on a superior portion of the first lamina, the first hook being located on the first end of the plate; a second laminar hook to hook on an inferior portion of the second lamina, the second hook being located on the second end of the plate, the first and second hook having a claw-like configuration, wherein at least one hook is adjustable; and a coupling member having a slot to receive a rail, the coupling member located on the center region of the plate and the slot being configured to the rail shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the rail shape is multi-sided.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the rail cross-sectional shape has any number of sides from 4 to 120.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a second, third and fourth clamp set.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each clamp set further comprises angled plates from the center region to the ends and oppositely angled plates at the ends.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each clamp set further comprises notches at the center region, wherein said notches are configured to be grasped by a reduction tool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
A clamp set for affixing to a vertebra, comprising: a transverse plate with a center region and a first and a second end, wherein each end has a surface with a plurality of curves configured to conform to the contours of a vertebra pedicle; and a coupling member having a slot to receive a rail, the coupling member located on the center region of the plate and the slot being centered between the first and second ends and being configured to the rail shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
A clamp set for affixing to a vertebra, comprising: a transverse plate with a center region and a first and a second end, wherein each end has a surface with a plurality of curves configured to conform to the contours of a vertebra pedicle; and a coupling member having a slot to receive a rail, the coupling member located on the center region of the plate and the slot being centered between the first and second ends and being configured to the rail shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The clamp set of claim 8 , further comprising at least one vertebral securement device to secure the clamp set to a vertebra.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
The clamp set of claim 9 , further comprising: a first laminar hook to hook on a superior portion of a first lamina, the first hook being located on the first end of the plate; and a second laminar hook to hook on an inferior portion of a second lamina, the first and second laminae located on a vertebra, and the second hook being located on the second end of the plate, the first and second hook having a claw-like configuration, wherein at least one hook is adjustable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The clamp set of claim 9 , wherein the rail shape is multi-sided.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The clamp set of claim 11 , wherein the rail shape has any number of sides from 4 to 120.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The clamp set of claim 8 , further comprising angled plates from the center region to the ends and oppositely angled plates at the ends.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The clamp set of claim 8 , further comprising notches at the center region, wherein said notches are configured to be grasped by a reduction tool.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
138 words
An invasive method for reducing spinal deformities, comprising: (a) attaching a plurality of clamp sets to vertebra along a portion of the spine, wherein each clamp set has opposing pedicle extensions at its ends; and a slotted coupling member centered between the pedicle extensions and configured for receiving a rail. (b) adjusting the clamp sets to correct deformity, including rotating a vertebra by pushing on a pedicle with a pedicle extension end, wherein a majority of the surface of each pedicle extension is configured with a plurality of curves conforming to the contours of the pedicle; (c) holding the clamp sets in place; and (d) attaching a rail to the clamp sets, wherein the rail insubstantially induces further reduction of the deformity, and wherein the rail is centered between the pedicle extensions of each of the clamp sets.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
138 words
An invasive method for reducing spinal deformities, comprising: (a) attaching a plurality of clamp sets to vertebra along a portion of the spine, wherein each clamp set has opposing pedicle extensions at its ends; and a slotted coupling member centered between the pedicle extensions and configured for receiving a rail. (b) adjusting the clamp sets to correct deformity, including rotating a vertebra by pushing on a pedicle with a pedicle extension end, wherein a majority of the surface of each pedicle extension is configured with a plurality of curves conforming to the contours of the pedicle; (c) holding the clamp sets in place; and (d) attaching a rail to the clamp sets, wherein the rail insubstantially induces further reduction of the deformity, and wherein the rail is centered between the pedicle extensions of each of the clamp sets.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of contouring the rail after the step of adjusting the clamp sets and before the step of attaching the rail to the clamp sets.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of attaching a plurality of clamp sets further comprises: for clamp sets having a first and second laminar hook, hooking a first laminar hook on a first lamina, and hooking a second laminar hook on a second lamina, wherein the first and the second hook are in opposed configuration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the step of adjusting vertebrae, further comprises: for clamp sets having a pedicle extension, transmitting downward force on the pedicle during adjustment by use of the pedicle extension.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the step of attaching a rail further comprises: holding the clamp sets in their adjusted states in relation to each other with the use of a multi-sided rail.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the multi-sided rail has 4 to 120 sides.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the portion of the spine is in the thoracic and lumbar region.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of clamp sets is four.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of fixing the position of the clamp sets by use of a robotic arm after the step of adjusting the clamp sets.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-09-30 | 2006-04-01 | 2006-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-04-01 | 2010-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-30 | 2014-04-01 | 2014-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |