EP0613662A2 — Spinal stabilization system and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 97 words

A spinal stabilization system for fixing affected vertebrae having anterior and posterior aspects, said system comprising: a plurality of substantially rigid, elongated column means for being disposed over the affected vertebrae, at least one of said column means for being disposed over the anterior aspect of said affected vertebrae and at least another of said column means for being disposed over the posterior aspect of said affected vertebrae, and a plurality of substantially rigid, elongated beam means having a longitudinal axis for extending through said affected vertebrae and for attaching said column means to said beam means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 97 words

A spinal stabilization system for fixing affected vertebrae having anterior and posterior aspects, said system comprising: a plurality of substantially rigid, elongated column means for being disposed over the affected vertebrae, at least one of said column means for being disposed over the anterior aspect of said affected vertebrae and at least another of said column means for being disposed over the posterior aspect of said affected vertebrae, and a plurality of substantially rigid, elongated beam means having a longitudinal axis for extending through said affected vertebrae and for attaching said column means to said beam means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said beam means has an aperture extending along its longitudinal axis.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said beams extending through the same individual said affected vertebrae are disposed therein in different planes.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said beam means extend from the posterior aspect to the anterior aspect of said affected vertebrae.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system as recited in claim 1, wherein column means comprise rods or plates and wherein said plurality of column means comprise at least two column means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said column means has a cross section and wherein the cross section of said column means through said beam means form a triangular configuration.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said vertebrae have superior and inferior rim portions and wherein individual beam means extend through said superior and inferior rim portions of a common said affected vertebrae.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 39 words

The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each said beam means comprises separate bolt and nut sections having longitudinal axes which sections join each other when said sections are inserted into and through an individual said affected vertebra.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system as recited in claim 8, wherein each of said bolt and nut sections has an aperture extending along the longitudinal axes thereof.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 64 words

The system as recited in claim 8, wherein each of said bolt and nut sections comprises a cutting end portion and a front portion having an externally threaded cylindrical periphery with cutting edges, said aperture of said nut section having an internally threaded cylindrical periphery for engaging said cutting edges of said externally threaded cylindrical periphery of said front portion of said bolt section.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system as recited in claim 10, wherein said bolt sections comprise a middle portion having an externally threaded periphery with cutting edges.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 34 words

The system as recited in claim 10, wherein each of said bolt and nut sections comprise a rear portion for attaching said rear portions of said bolt and nut sections to said column means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system as recited in claim 10, further comprising wire means extending through said aperture of said beam means for attaching said column means to said beam means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 33 words

The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the diameter of the cylindrical peripheries of the middle portion of said bolt section and said front portion of said nut section are substantially equal.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system as recited in claim 8, wherein said vertebrae have pedicle portions and said bolt sections extend through the pedicle portions of said affected vertebrae.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system as recited in claim 8, wherein said bolt sections and nut sections extend from the posterior and anterior aspects, respectively, of said affected vertebrae, and towards each other.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 179 words

A spinal stabilization system for fixing affected vertebrae having anterior and posterior aspects, said system comprising: at least two rods or plates being disposed over the affected vertebrae, at least one of said rods or plates being disposed over the anterior aspect of said affected vertebrae and at least one said rod or plate being disposed over the posterior aspect of said affected vertebrae, a plurality of elongated beam means having a longitudinally axis extending through said affected vertebrae and attached to said rods or plates, at least two of said beams extending through different planes of the same individual said affected vertebra, and each of said beam means comprising separate bolt and nut sections, said nut sections having longitudinal axes and an aperture, said aperture extending along its longitudinal axes, each said sections comprising a cutting end portion and a front portion having a cylindrical periphery externally threaded with cutting edges, the aperture of said nut section having a cylindrical periphery internally threaded for engaging said externally threaded cutting edges of said first portion of said bolt section.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 179 words

A spinal stabilization system for fixing affected vertebrae having anterior and posterior aspects, said system comprising: at least two rods or plates being disposed over the affected vertebrae, at least one of said rods or plates being disposed over the anterior aspect of said affected vertebrae and at least one said rod or plate being disposed over the posterior aspect of said affected vertebrae, a plurality of elongated beam means having a longitudinally axis extending through said affected vertebrae and attached to said rods or plates, at least two of said beams extending through different planes of the same individual said affected vertebra, and each of said beam means comprising separate bolt and nut sections, said nut sections having longitudinal axes and an aperture, said aperture extending along its longitudinal axes, each said sections comprising a cutting end portion and a front portion having a cylindrical periphery externally threaded with cutting edges, the aperture of said nut section having a cylindrical periphery internally threaded for engaging said externally threaded cutting edges of said first portion of said bolt section.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 84 words

A method of installing a spinal stabilization system to fix affected vertebrae comprising the steps of: exposing the spine anteriorly and posteriorly to reveal a level of affected vertebra, inserting a pair of beam means through said affected vertebra, repeating the exposing and inserting steps for a next level of affected vertebra, disposing column means over the anterior and posterior aspects of the two levels of affected vertebrae, and connecting the ends of the beam means of each vertebra level to said column means.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 84 words

A method of installing a spinal stabilization system to fix affected vertebrae comprising the steps of: exposing the spine anteriorly and posteriorly to reveal a level of affected vertebra, inserting a pair of beam means through said affected vertebra, repeating the exposing and inserting steps for a next level of affected vertebra, disposing column means over the anterior and posterior aspects of the two levels of affected vertebrae, and connecting the ends of the beam means of each vertebra level to said column means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the step of exposing the spine reveals a level of vertebra including its pedicle portion.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the step of inserting comprises inserting a pair of beams posteriorly through the pedicle portions of said vertebra and anteriorly through said vertebra.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the beam means comprises pedicle bolt sections and nut sections.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 13 words

A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the beam means have cannulation.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 15 words

A method as recited in claim 22, wherein the column means comprise rigid elongated rod-(s).

Claim 27

Independent Claim 110 words

A method of installing a spinal stabilization system to fix affected vertebrae comprising the steps of: exposing the spine anteriorly and posteriorly to reveal a level of affected vertebra including its pedicle portions, inserting a pair of pedicle bolt sections posteriorly through the pedicle portion of said affected vertebra and a pair of nut sections having cannulations anteriorly through said sections, repeating the exposing and inserting steps for a next level of affected vertebra, disposing rigid elongated rods over the anterior and posterior aspects of the two levels of affected vertebrae, and connecting the ends of the bolt and nut sections at each affected vertebra to said rigid elongated rods.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 110 words

A method of installing a spinal stabilization system to fix affected vertebrae comprising the steps of: exposing the spine anteriorly and posteriorly to reveal a level of affected vertebra including its pedicle portions, inserting a pair of pedicle bolt sections posteriorly through the pedicle portion of said affected vertebra and a pair of nut sections having cannulations anteriorly through said sections, repeating the exposing and inserting steps for a next level of affected vertebra, disposing rigid elongated rods over the anterior and posterior aspects of the two levels of affected vertebrae, and connecting the ends of the bolt and nut sections at each affected vertebra to said rigid elongated rods.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 181 words

A method of installing a spinal stabilization system to fix affected vertebrae of a patient using an aligning fixture having a drill guide at one end and an aiming pin at the other end, comprising the steps of: a) surgically exposing at least one level of affected vertebra anteriorly and posteriorly, b) cleaning out the contents of the pedicle portions of the level of affected vertebra so as to permit sufficient movement of the drill guide within the cleaned out pedicle portions so that said aiming pin can be positioned at the desired exit points on the anterior aspect of said level of affected vertebra, c) inserting said drill guide within the cleaned out pedicle portions of the level of affected vertebra, d) positioning said aiming pin at the desired exit points on the anterior aspect of said level of affected vertebra, e) inserting a drilling means within the aligned drill guide disposed within said pedicle portions of the level of affected vertebra, and f) drilling holes through said aligned drill guide into said affected vertebra to said desired exit points.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 181 words

A method of installing a spinal stabilization system to fix affected vertebrae of a patient using an aligning fixture having a drill guide at one end and an aiming pin at the other end, comprising the steps of: a) surgically exposing at least one level of affected vertebra anteriorly and posteriorly, b) cleaning out the contents of the pedicle portions of the level of affected vertebra so as to permit sufficient movement of the drill guide within the cleaned out pedicle portions so that said aiming pin can be positioned at the desired exit points on the anterior aspect of said level of affected vertebra, c) inserting said drill guide within the cleaned out pedicle portions of the level of affected vertebra, d) positioning said aiming pin at the desired exit points on the anterior aspect of said level of affected vertebra, e) inserting a drilling means within the aligned drill guide disposed within said pedicle portions of the level of affected vertebra, and f) drilling holes through said aligned drill guide into said affected vertebra to said desired exit points.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 72 words

The method as recited in claim 25, further comprising the steps of: g) inserting a pair of beam means through said level of affected vertebra, h) repeating steps a) through g) for the other level of affected vertebra, i) disposing column means over the anterior and posterior aspect of the two levels of affected vertebrae, and j) connecting the ends of the beam means of each vertebra level to the column means.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 185 words

A method of installing a spinal stabilzation system to fix affected vertebrae of a patient using an aligning fixture having a drill guide at one end and an aiming pin at the other end, comprising the steps of: a) surgically exposing two adjacent level of affected vertebrae anteriorly and posteriorly, b) cleaning out the contents of the pedicle portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae so as to permit sufficient movement of the drill guide within the cleaned out pedicle portions so that said aiming pin can be positioned at the desired exit points on the anterior aspect of said adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, c) inserting said drill guide within the cleaned out pedical portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, d) positioning said aiming pin at the desired exit points on the anterior aspect of said adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, e) inserting a drilling means within the aligned drill guide disposed within said pedicle portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, and f) drilling holes through said aligned drill guide into said affected vertebrae to said desired exit points.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 185 words

A method of installing a spinal stabilzation system to fix affected vertebrae of a patient using an aligning fixture having a drill guide at one end and an aiming pin at the other end, comprising the steps of: a) surgically exposing two adjacent level of affected vertebrae anteriorly and posteriorly, b) cleaning out the contents of the pedicle portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae so as to permit sufficient movement of the drill guide within the cleaned out pedicle portions so that said aiming pin can be positioned at the desired exit points on the anterior aspect of said adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, c) inserting said drill guide within the cleaned out pedical portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, d) positioning said aiming pin at the desired exit points on the anterior aspect of said adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, e) inserting a drilling means within the aligned drill guide disposed within said pedicle portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, and f) drilling holes through said aligned drill guide into said affected vertebrae to said desired exit points.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 72 words

A method as recited in claim 27, further comprising after step c): 1) making an incision in the lateral aspect of a patient of sufficient size to permit the aiming pin and a portion of its attached arm entry therethrough, and 2) inserting said aiming pin and a portion of its attached arm through said incision and disposing the aiming pin adjacent said anterior aspect of said adjacent levels of affected vertebrae.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as recited in claim 27, wherein said cleaning is performed by curetting the pedicle portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae.

Claim 36

Independent Claim 234 words

A method of installing a spinal stabilization system to fix affected vertebrae of a patient using an aligning fixture having a drill guide at one end and an aiming pin at the other end, comprising the steps of: a) surgically exposing two adjacent levels of affected vertebrae anteriorly and posteriorly, b) cleaning out the contents of the pedicle portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae so as to permit sufficient movement of the drill guide within the cleaned out pedicle portions so that said aiming pin can be positioned at the desired exit points on the anterior aspect of said adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, c) inserting said drill guide within the cleaned out pedicle portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, d) positioning said aiming pin at the desired exit points on the anterior aspect of said adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, e) inserting a drilling means within the aligned drill guide disposed within said pedicle portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, f) drilling holes through said aligned drill guide into said affected vertebrae to said desired exit points, g) inserting a pair of beam means through each of said levels of affected vertebrae, h) disposing column means over the anterior and posterior aspects of the two levels of affected vertebrae, and i) connecting the ends of the beam means at each affected vertebra level to said column means.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 234 words

A method of installing a spinal stabilization system to fix affected vertebrae of a patient using an aligning fixture having a drill guide at one end and an aiming pin at the other end, comprising the steps of: a) surgically exposing two adjacent levels of affected vertebrae anteriorly and posteriorly, b) cleaning out the contents of the pedicle portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae so as to permit sufficient movement of the drill guide within the cleaned out pedicle portions so that said aiming pin can be positioned at the desired exit points on the anterior aspect of said adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, c) inserting said drill guide within the cleaned out pedicle portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, d) positioning said aiming pin at the desired exit points on the anterior aspect of said adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, e) inserting a drilling means within the aligned drill guide disposed within said pedicle portions of the adjacent levels of affected vertebrae, f) drilling holes through said aligned drill guide into said affected vertebrae to said desired exit points, g) inserting a pair of beam means through each of said levels of affected vertebrae, h) disposing column means over the anterior and posterior aspects of the two levels of affected vertebrae, and i) connecting the ends of the beam means at each affected vertebra level to said column means.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 92 words

An alignment fixture for assisting in the installation of a spinal stabilization system, comprising a first arm, a second arm, each arm having first and second ends, drill guide means, and an aiming pin, said aiming pin and said drill guide means fixedly connected to the first end of said first and second arms, respectively, said second ends of said first and second arms being connected in sliding engagement with one another, and said first and second arms, said drill guide means and said aiming pin being disposed in the same plane.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 92 words

An alignment fixture for assisting in the installation of a spinal stabilization system, comprising a first arm, a second arm, each arm having first and second ends, drill guide means, and an aiming pin, said aiming pin and said drill guide means fixedly connected to the first end of said first and second arms, respectively, said second ends of said first and second arms being connected in sliding engagement with one another, and said first and second arms, said drill guide means and said aiming pin being disposed in the same plane.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 26 words

An alignment fixture as recited in claim 31, wherein said drill guide means and aiming pin being disposed orthogonally on said first and second arm, respectively.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 19 words

An alignment fixture as recited in claim 32, wherein said drill guide means and aiming pin being axially aligned.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 39 words

An alignment fixture as recited in clam 33, wherein each of said first and second arms having first and second portions, said first portions being disposed opposite one another, and said second portions being connected together in sliding engagement.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 39 words

An alignment fixture as recited in clam 33, wherein each of said first and second arms having first and second portions, said first portions being disposed opposite one another, and said second portions being connected together in sliding engagement.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 36 words

An alignment fixture as recited in claim 31, wherein said first and second arms being disposed at the anterior and posterior aspects, respectively, of said vertebrae during the initial stage of the installation of said system.

Spinal stabilization system and method

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