US6964665B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vertebral alignment system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2001-12-27
•
Granted: 2005-11-15
•
Expires: 2021-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for aligning and fixing vertebral bodies is provided. The vertebral alignment system of the current invention comprises an integrated system of alignment rods, cannulated pedicle screws, filler plugs and fixation hardware. The components are designed such that a surgeon can accurately manipulate and align vertebral bodies using the removable alignment rods attached to the cannulated pedicle screws and to enable the installation of fixation system hardware while the alignment rods are still in place. A system and method for aligning vertebral bodies using the vertebral alignment system of the invention is also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 James C. Thomas
- 👤 Rick D. Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7074; A61B17/7076; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7041; A61B17/7077; A61B17/7082; A61B17/7002; A61B17/701
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation system comprising: at least one elongated spinal adjustment device; at least one vertebral alignment/fixation assembly comprising: a screw comprising an elongated, partially cannulated shaft defining an axially arranged inner screw chamber and a screw axis, an axial opening being arranged at a proximal end of the shaft providing access to the inner screw chamber of the shaft and a tapered tip arranged at the distal end of the shaft, and wherein a distal end of the shaft is externally threaded for driving the screw into bone and wherein the proximal end of the shaft further comprises an anchor mechanism for attachment of at least one piece of fixation hardware, and an alignment rod comprising an elongated shaft with an engaging portion arranged at the distal end of the shaft designed to insert into the axial opening and cooperatively engage the inner screw chamber of the shaft, and a elongated portion arranged at the proximal end of the shaft, the elongated portion of the alignment rod having an outer diameter less than or equal to that of the screw; at least one piece of fixation attachment hardware designed to slide down the alignment rod and cooperatively engage the proximal anchor mechanism of the screw such that the at least one fixation attachment is fixedly attached thereto, the at least one fixation attachment further being designed to anchor the at least one spinal adjustment device in place.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation system comprising: at least one elongated spinal adjustment device; at least one vertebral alignment/fixation assembly comprising: a screw comprising an elongated, partially cannulated shaft defining an axially arranged inner screw chamber and a screw axis, an axial opening being arranged at a proximal end of the shaft providing access to the inner screw chamber of the shaft and a tapered tip arranged at the distal end of the shaft, and wherein a distal end of the shaft is externally threaded for driving the screw into bone and wherein the proximal end of the shaft further comprises an anchor mechanism for attachment of at least one piece of fixation hardware, and an alignment rod comprising an elongated shaft with an engaging portion arranged at the distal end of the shaft designed to insert into the axial opening and cooperatively engage the inner screw chamber of the shaft, and a elongated portion arranged at the proximal end of the shaft, the elongated portion of the alignment rod having an outer diameter less than or equal to that of the screw; at least one piece of fixation attachment hardware designed to slide down the alignment rod and cooperatively engage the proximal anchor mechanism of the screw such that the at least one fixation attachment is fixedly attached thereto, the at least one fixation attachment further being designed to anchor the at least one spinal adjustment device in place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation system as described in claim 1 , further comprising a filler plug, mateable with said inner screw chamber, the plug being designed to lockingly engage within and fill the inner screw chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation system as described in claim 1 , wherein the spinal adjustment device is chosen from the group consisting of: plates, rods, clamps, crosslinks and wires.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation system as described in claim 1 , wherein the fixation attachment is chosen from the group consisting of: clamps, bolts and nuts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation system as described in claim 1 , wherein the inner screw chamber of the shaft and the engaging portion of the alignment rod further comprise engagement mechanisms designed to cooperatively engage to lockingly hold the engaging portion of the alignment rod within the inner screw chamber of the screw shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation system as described in claim 5 , wherein the engagement mechanism is selected from the group consisting of: a threaded fitting, a compression fitting, and a twist and lock mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation assembly as described in claim 1 , wherein the elongated portion of the alignment rod is threaded to receive a threaded attachment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation assembly as described in claim 7 , wherein the elongated portion of the alignment rod is threaded to receive the threaded attachment consisting of either a T-type handle or a screwdriver-type handle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation system as described in claim 1 , wherein the system components are made of stainless steel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation method comprising: providing a vertebral alignment/fixation system as described in claim 1 ; driving the screw into a vertebral body; inserting the alignment rod into the inner screw chamber of the screw; aligning the vertebral body with the alignment rod; sliding a piece of fixation attachment hardware down the alignment rod onto the screw; tightening piece of fixation attachment hardware onto the screw; and attaching a spinal adjustment device onto the fixation attachment hardware to fix the vertebral body in the chosen alignment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation method comprising utilizing a vertebral alignment/fixation system as described in claim 1 to align at least one vertebral body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
191 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation method comprising utilizing a plurality of vertebral alignment assemblies as to align at least one vertebral body, wherein each of the vertebral alignment assemblies comprises: a screw comprising an elongated, partially cannulated shaft defining an axially arranged inner screw chamber and a screw axis, an axial opening being arranged at a proximal end of the shaft providing access to the inner screw chamber of the shaft and a tapered tip arranged at a distal end of the shaft, and wherein the distal end of the shaft is externally threaded for driving the screw into bone and wherein the proximal end of the shaft further comprises an anchor mechanism for attachment of at least one piece of fixation attachment hardware; and an alignment rod comprising an elongated shaft with an engaging portion arranged at a distal end of the shaft designed to insert into the axial opening and cooperatively engage the inner screw chamber of the shaft, and an elongated portion arranged at a proximal end of the shaft, the elongated portion of the alignment rod having an outer diameter less than or equal to that of the screw.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
191 words
A vertebral alignment/fixation method comprising utilizing a plurality of vertebral alignment assemblies as to align at least one vertebral body, wherein each of the vertebral alignment assemblies comprises: a screw comprising an elongated, partially cannulated shaft defining an axially arranged inner screw chamber and a screw axis, an axial opening being arranged at a proximal end of the shaft providing access to the inner screw chamber of the shaft and a tapered tip arranged at a distal end of the shaft, and wherein the distal end of the shaft is externally threaded for driving the screw into bone and wherein the proximal end of the shaft further comprises an anchor mechanism for attachment of at least one piece of fixation attachment hardware; and an alignment rod comprising an elongated shaft with an engaging portion arranged at a distal end of the shaft designed to insert into the axial opening and cooperatively engage the inner screw chamber of the shaft, and an elongated portion arranged at a proximal end of the shaft, the elongated portion of the alignment rod having an outer diameter less than or equal to that of the screw.
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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) | 2008-11-14 | 2009-05-16 | 2009-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-11-14 | 2013-05-16 | 2013-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-11-14 | 2017-05-16 | 2017-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |