A prosthetic appliance

Abstract

Abstract 1,243,353. Spinal prosthetic appliances. COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION. 25 Oct., 1968, No. 50806/68. Heading A5R. A prosthetic appliance 10 to replace vertebrae removed from the spinal column of vertebrates, comprises a unit for each vertebra removed and each unit comprising two elements 12 + 14 adapted to be secured together, one element having a stem 28 corresponding to the natural neural spine 30 and the other element having a trough for the spinal cord in a face which contacts a face of the other element and both elements having connecting means 38, 46, Fig. 1, for attachment to an adjacent vertebra or unit of a plurality of units. The units may be linked together for use where several vertebra are removed. The element 14 has ears 38 to attach it to the natural centrum 32 by screws 40 and stem 28 may be attached by arches 46 to spine 30. Ears 38 may be replaced by sockets to link several units and the arches 46 may be replaced by straight braces 46a, Fig. 7. In the embodiment of Fig. 7, three units have a spring element 60 contained in a bore through the intermediate unit and in conical sockets in the end units so that any flexion is resisted by the spring. The elements of individual units may be secured together by screws in countersunk threaded openings 36.

Inventors

• 👤 William Valjean Lumb

Bibliographic Details