Spinal fixator reduction frame

Claim 1

A device for producing realignment of vertebrae affected by various spinal disorders, including fractures and dislocations, wherein vertebrae adjacent to and on opposite sides of the affected location are provided with two generally dorsally extending screws, one screw on each side of the spinous process, said device comprising two members configured and dimensioned to extend laterally and dorsally with respect to the spine, wherein each of said members are T-shaped and comprise a central dorsally extending leg, two laterally extending arms and a hinged extension member pivotably connected to the outer end of each arm, said members further include means for rigidly linking the two screws provided in one vertebrae comprising clamping members disposed on said hinged extension members for clampingly engaging the vertebrae screws or extensions thereof and spacing the dorsally extending leg away from said screws, said dorsally extending legs thereby providing handles for manipulation of the spine.

Claim 2

A device for producing realignment of vertebrae affected by various spinal disorders, including fractures and dislocations, wherein vertebrae adjacent to and on opposite sides of the affected location are provided with two generally dorsally extending screws, one screw on each side of the spinous process, said device comprising two members configured and dimensioned to extend laterally and dorsally with respect to the spine, wherein each of said members are T-shaped and comprise a central dorsally extending leg, two laterally extending arms and a hinged extension member pivotably connected to the outer end of each arm, said members further include means for rigidly linking the two screws provided in one vertebrae comprising clamping members disposed on said hinged extension members for clampingly engaging the vertebrae screws or extensions thereof and spacing the dorsally extending leg away from said screws, said dorsally extending legs thereby providing handles for manipulation of the spine.

Claim 3

A device for producing realignment of vertebrae affected by various spinal disorders, including fractures and dislocations, wherein vertebrae adjacent to and on opposite sides of the affected location are provided with two generally dorsally extending screws, one screw on each side of the spinous process, said device comprising: two members configured and dimensioned to extend laterally and dorsally with respect to the spine, each of said members including means for rigidly linking the two screws provided in one vertebrae, thereby providing handles for manipulation of the spine; first adjustable means for alternately rigidly connecting the laterally and dorsally extending members and providing controlled mechanical alignment of the spine by moving said members; and means for controlled, generally dorsal-ventral translation of said first adjustable means along one or both dorsally extending members.

Claim 4

A device for producing realignment of vertebrae affected by various spinal disorders, including fractures and dislocations, wherein vertebrae adjacent to and on opposite sides of the affected location are provided with two generally dorsally extending screws, one screw on each side of the spinous process, said device comprising: two members configured and dimensioned to extend laterally and dorsally with respect to the spine, each of said members including means for rigidly linking the two screws provided in one vertebrae, thereby providing handles for manipulation of the spine; first adjustable means for alternately rigidly connecting the laterally and dorsally extending members and providing controlled mechanical alignment of the spine by moving said members; and means for controlled, generally dorsal-ventral translation of said first adjustable means along one or both dorsally extending members.

Claim 13

A device for the realignment of a dislocated spine, comprising: two rigid members, each member removably attachable to the spine in a dorsally extending orientation on either side of the dislocation, each member including means for attaching said member to a single vertebrae at two points, one point on each side of the spinous process; first adjustable means installable on said rigid members for linking said rigid members when attached to the spine, including threaded means for alternately providing a rigid connection between said members and mechanically applying controlled forces to said members, said first adjustable means including means for cooperating with said rigid members alone to provide pure distraction-compression forces on the spine; and second adjustable means installable on said rigid members for mechanically applying controlled forces to said rigid members, said second means disposed dorsally with respect to said first means when said rigid members are attached to the spine, whereby the spine may be aligned with varying degrees of mechanical control by selectively installing and utilizing said first and second means; wherein said rigid members each include means for controlled, generally dorsal-ventral translation of said first and second adjustable means when installed thereon.

Claim 14

A device for the realignment of a dislocated spine, comprising: two rigid members, each member removably attachable to the spine in a dorsally extending orientation on either side of the dislocation, each member including means for attaching said member to a single vertebrae at two points, one point on each side of the spinous process; first adjustable means installable on said rigid members for linking said rigid members when attached to the spine, including threaded means for alternately providing a rigid connection between said members and mechanically applying controlled forces to said members, said first adjustable means including means for cooperating with said rigid members alone to provide pure distraction-compression forces on the spine; and second adjustable means installable on said rigid members for mechanically applying controlled forces to said rigid members, said second means disposed dorsally with respect to said first means when said rigid members are attached to the spine, whereby the spine may be aligned with varying degrees of mechanical control by selectively installing and utilizing said first and second means; wherein said rigid members each include means for controlled, generally dorsal-ventral translation of said first and second adjustable means when installed thereon.

Claim 17

An apparatus, comprising: a T-shaped rigid member having a threaded leg and two arms; extension members pivotally connected to an end of each of said arms; and two clamp members, one each clampingly engaging one extension members opposite the pivotable connection, said clamp members each separately capable of additionally clampingly engaging a shaft-like member at an orientation different from the orientation said extension members with respect to said apparatus.

Claim 18

An apparatus, comprising: a T-shaped rigid member having a threaded leg and two arms; extension members pivotally connected to an end of each of said arms; and two clamp members, one each clampingly engaging one extension members opposite the pivotable connection, said clamp members each separately capable of additionally clampingly engaging a shaft-like member at an orientation different from the orientation said extension members with respect to said apparatus.

Claim 22

An apparatus, comprising: two T-shaped rigid members, each having a threaded leg and two arms; extension members pivotally connected to an end of each of said arms; four first clamp members, each having two clamping collars rotatable with respect to each other, one member each clampingly engaging one of said extension members opposite the pivotable connection, said first clamp members each separately capable of additionally clampingly engaging a shaft-like member at an orientation different from the orientation of said extension members with respect to said apparatus; two first sleeve members each with two ends, one sleeve member disposed on each of said threaded legs and slidable thereon; two nuts disposed on each said threaded leg, one each adjacent an end of each said first sleeve members whereby selective rotation of said nuts alternately provides translation or fixation of said first sleeve members on said threaded legs; a rigid threaded rod extending between said T-shaped members; a second sleeve member and a third sleeve member each with two ends disposed on said threaded rod and slidable thereon; four nuts disposed on said threaded rod, one each adjacent an end of one of said second and third sleeve members whereby selective rotation of said nuts alternately provides translation or fixation of said second and third sleeve member on said threaded rod; a second clamp member, having two clamping collars rotatable with respect to each other, one collar clampingly engaging said second sleeve and the other collar clampingly engaging one first sleeve; a clamping collar clampingly engaging the other first sleeve and cooperating with said third sleeve in a manner alternately allowing rotation and fixation; an eye socket extending from each first sleeve member; a second threaded rod extending between the T-shaped members; and two nuts disposed on said second threaded rod, one each bearing against said eye sockets.

Claim 23

An apparatus, comprising: two T-shaped rigid members, each having a threaded leg and two arms; extension members pivotally connected to an end of each of said arms; four first clamp members, each having two clamping collars rotatable with respect to each other, one member each clampingly engaging one of said extension members opposite the pivotable connection, said first clamp members each separately capable of additionally clampingly engaging a shaft-like member at an orientation different from the orientation of said extension members with respect to said apparatus; two first sleeve members each with two ends, one sleeve member disposed on each of said threaded legs and slidable thereon; two nuts disposed on each said threaded leg, one each adjacent an end of each said first sleeve members whereby selective rotation of said nuts alternately provides translation or fixation of said first sleeve members on said threaded legs; a rigid threaded rod extending between said T-shaped members; a second sleeve member and a third sleeve member each with two ends disposed on said threaded rod and slidable thereon; four nuts disposed on said threaded rod, one each adjacent an end of one of said second and third sleeve members whereby selective rotation of said nuts alternately provides translation or fixation of said second and third sleeve member on said threaded rod; a second clamp member, having two clamping collars rotatable with respect to each other, one collar clampingly engaging said second sleeve and the other collar clampingly engaging one first sleeve; a clamping collar clampingly engaging the other first sleeve and cooperating with said third sleeve in a manner alternately allowing rotation and fixation; an eye socket extending from each first sleeve member; a second threaded rod extending between the T-shaped members; and two nuts disposed on said second threaded rod, one each bearing against said eye sockets.

Claim 24

A method for realigning vertebrae affected by various spinal disorders including fractures and dislocations, comprising: installing generally dorsally extending screws in the pedicles of vertebrae adjacent to and on opposite sides of the affected location, whereby a vertebra on a first side of the affected location has two screws one in each pedicle, and a vertebra on a second side of the affected location has two screws, one in each pedicle; rigidly linking the two screws installed in the pedicles of each vertebra by securing a rigid member therebetween, said rigid members each having a portion extending laterally between the screws and a dorsally extending portion; manipulating the spine into alignment by applying forces to said rigid members; fixing the dislocation or fracture in the aligned position by linking the screws in opposite vertebra with fixation means; and removing said rigid members while leaving said fixation means in place.

Claim 25

A method for realigning vertebrae affected by various spinal disorders including fractures and dislocations, comprising: installing generally dorsally extending screws in the pedicles of vertebrae adjacent to and on opposite sides of the affected location, whereby a vertebra on a first side of the affected location has two screws one in each pedicle, and a vertebra on a second side of the affected location has two screws, one in each pedicle; rigidly linking the two screws installed in the pedicles of each vertebra by securing a rigid member therebetween, said rigid members each having a portion extending laterally between the screws and a dorsally extending portion; manipulating the spine into alignment by applying forces to said rigid members; fixing the dislocation or fracture in the aligned position by linking the screws in opposite vertebra with fixation means; and removing said rigid members while leaving said fixation means in place.