US5630816A — Double barrel spinal fixation system and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 119 words

A surgically installed spinal fixation system comprising: (a) a body member having two generally parallel faces and a first opening therethrough adapted to receive a first longitudinal member; the centerline of said first opening is positioned generally along a spinal axis; (b) said body member also having a slotted second opening is positioned generally along said spinal axis whereby a second longitudinal member can be inserted into said slotted second opening; (c) a hook member connected to the outer surface of one of said generally parallel faces; (d) means for securing the outer surface of said first longitudinal member to the body member; (e) means for securing the outer surface of said second longitudinal member to the body member.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 119 words

A surgically installed spinal fixation system comprising: (a) a body member having two generally parallel faces and a first opening therethrough adapted to receive a first longitudinal member; the centerline of said first opening is positioned generally along a spinal axis; (b) said body member also having a slotted second opening is positioned generally along said spinal axis whereby a second longitudinal member can be inserted into said slotted second opening; (c) a hook member connected to the outer surface of one of said generally parallel faces; (d) means for securing the outer surface of said first longitudinal member to the body member; (e) means for securing the outer surface of said second longitudinal member to the body member.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

A surgically installed spinal fixation system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first opening has a circular cross section.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

A surgically installed spinal fixation system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first opening has a quadrilateral cross section.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 25 words

A spinal fixation system as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one said body member is surgically installed on each side of the spine.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

A spinal fixation system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said longitudinal members are separated by an adjustment means for selectively spacing said second longitudinal members.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 63 words

A spinal fixation system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said adjustment means has two bifurcated ends adapted to engage said second longitudinal members; said bifurcated ends being separated by a linearly adjustable coupler therebetween; each said bifurcated end having two forks; one of each said forks having an engagement member for engaging at least one wall of each of said longitudinal members.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 108 words

A spinal fixation system as claimed in claim 1, including at least two of said body members which are adapted to be surgically installed together with two of said longitudinal members; and each of said longitudinal members being separated by an adjustment means for selectively adjusting the distance between said longitudinal members; (a) said adjustment means having two bifurcated ends adapted to engage said longitudinal members; (b) said bifurcated ends being separated by a linearly adjustable threaded coupler therebetween; (c) each said bifurcated end having two forks; one of each said forks having an engagement means for engaging at least one wall of each of said longitudinal members.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 79 words

A surgically installed spinal fixation system comprising: (a) a body member having a first leg member and a second leg member and a slotted opening therebetween for receiving a first longitudinal member laterally into said slotted opening; (b) said first leg member having a first engagement means for engaging the outer surface of said first longitudinal member; and (c) said first leg member further having a second engagement means for engaging the outer surface of said first longitudinal members.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 79 words

A surgically installed spinal fixation system comprising: (a) a body member having a first leg member and a second leg member and a slotted opening therebetween for receiving a first longitudinal member laterally into said slotted opening; (b) said first leg member having a first engagement means for engaging the outer surface of said first longitudinal member; and (c) said first leg member further having a second engagement means for engaging the outer surface of said first longitudinal members.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 8, wherein said body member includes a body extension from said first and second leg members having a aperture therethrough; and a pedicular screw adapted to secure a second longitudinal member in said bore.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 50 words

A surgically installed spinal fixation system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first leg member is further adapted to receive a restraining means for restraining said first longitudinal member; said restraining member extends through said first leg member and along at least one side of said first longitudinal member.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 88 words

A surgically installed spinal fixation system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said body extension has a substantially flat end with an outer surface having a first set of interdigitating splines; a substantially C-shaped member having an inner surface with a second set of interdigitating splines whereby said second set of interdigitating splines engages said first set of interdigitating splines; and a connecting means positioned above said C-shaped member for engaging said pedicular screw whereby said connecting means provides compression between said body member and said pedicular screw.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 74 words

A spinal fixation system comprising: (a) a clamping means having a through bore with a center line positioned substantially parallel to the spinal axis and a slot having a center line aligned substantially parallel with said spinal axis; (b) a first interconnecting means for interconnecting at least two said clamping means; (c) a second interconnecting means for interconnecting one of said at least two clamping means to at least one other said clamping means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 74 words

A spinal fixation system comprising: (a) a clamping means having a through bore with a center line positioned substantially parallel to the spinal axis and a slot having a center line aligned substantially parallel with said spinal axis; (b) a first interconnecting means for interconnecting at least two said clamping means; (c) a second interconnecting means for interconnecting one of said at least two clamping means to at least one other said clamping means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 26 words

A spinal fixation system as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one said spinal fixation system is positioned on each side of said spinal axis.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 26 words

A spinal fixation system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising an adjustment means for selectively adjusting the distance between each of said second interconnecting means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 15 words

A spinal fixation system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said interconnecting means is cylindrical.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

A spinal fixation system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said interconnecting means is quadrilateral.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 95 words

An apparatus for selectively separating surgically installed longitudinal members comprising: A first C-shaped member having a bore positioned at the base thereof; said bore adapted to rotatably receive a first elongated member having a threaded bore; A second elongated member having a threaded pin portion on one end and a second C-shaped member on the other end; said threaded pin portion adjustably threaded into said threaded bore of said first elongated member; whereby the distance between said first C-shaped member and said second C-shaped member can be selectively adjusted by rotating said first elongated member.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 95 words

An apparatus for selectively separating surgically installed longitudinal members comprising: A first C-shaped member having a bore positioned at the base thereof; said bore adapted to rotatably receive a first elongated member having a threaded bore; A second elongated member having a threaded pin portion on one end and a second C-shaped member on the other end; said threaded pin portion adjustably threaded into said threaded bore of said first elongated member; whereby the distance between said first C-shaped member and said second C-shaped member can be selectively adjusted by rotating said first elongated member.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 34 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of said C-shaped members define an internal radial pocket; said C-shaped members further having means for securing an elongated member within said internal radial pocket.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of constructing a rigid laminal claw independent of the spinal rod system to correct a spinal deformity comprising the steps of: (a) surgically exposing the spine posteriorly; (b) clawing single or multiple lamina by interconnecting at least two clawing means for attaching to the spine; (c) reducing and fixating the deformity of the spine by attaching said at least two clawing means to a longitudinal member extending generally along the spine; and (d) attaching at least one end of said longitudinal member to the spine with a combination pedicular screw and clamping member.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of constructing a rigid laminal claw independent of the spinal rod system to correct a spinal deformity comprising the steps of: (a) surgically exposing the spine posteriorly; (b) clawing single or multiple lamina by interconnecting at least two clawing means for attaching to the spine; (c) reducing and fixating the deformity of the spine by attaching said at least two clawing means to a longitudinal member extending generally along the spine; and (d) attaching at least one end of said longitudinal member to the spine with a combination pedicular screw and clamping member.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method of constructing a rigid laminal claw as claimed in claim 19, wherein each of said steps a, b, c and d is performed on each side of the spine.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method of constructing a rigid laminal claw as claimed in claim 20, including the additional step of attaching adjustment means for adjusting the distance between each of said longitudinal members.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 90 words

A method of constructing a rigid laminal claw independent of the spinal rod system to correct a spinal deformity comprising the steps of: (a) surgically exposing the spine posteriorly; (b) clawing single or multiple lamina by interconnecting at least two clawing means for attaching to the spine; (c) reducing and fixating the deformity of the spine by attaching said at least two clawing means to a longitudinal member extending generally along the spine; and (d) attaching said clawing means to said spine with a combination laminar hook and clamping member.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 90 words

A method of constructing a rigid laminal claw independent of the spinal rod system to correct a spinal deformity comprising the steps of: (a) surgically exposing the spine posteriorly; (b) clawing single or multiple lamina by interconnecting at least two clawing means for attaching to the spine; (c) reducing and fixating the deformity of the spine by attaching said at least two clawing means to a longitudinal member extending generally along the spine; and (d) attaching said clawing means to said spine with a combination laminar hook and clamping member.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method of constructing a rigid laminal claw as claimed in claim 22, wherein each of said steps a, b, c and d is performed on each side of the spine.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method of constructing a rigid laminal claw as claimed in claim 23, including the additional step of attaching adjustment means for adjusting the distance between each of said longitudinal members.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-05-19	2000-11-18	2001-05-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-05-19	2004-11-18	2005-05-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-05-19	2008-11-18	2009-05-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Double barrel spinal fixation system and method

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