Systems and methods for fixation of adjacent vertebrae

a technology for fixing systems and adjacent vertebrae, which is applied in the field of internal fixation of vertebrae of the spine, can solve the problems and achieves the effect of reducing the risk of pin tract secretions or infections, or the potential of osteomyelitis
US20050038434A1Inactive Publication Date: 2005-02-17MATHEWS HALLETT H
33 Cites 89 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Current Assignee / Owner
MATHEWS HALLETT H
Publication Date
2005-02-17
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

Smart Images

  • Figure 1
    Figure 1
  • Figure 2
    Figure 2
  • Figure 3
    Figure 3
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A method for internal fixation of vertebra of the spine to facilitate graft fusion includes steps for excising the nucleus of an affected disc, preparing a bone graft, instrumenting the vertebrae for fixation, and introducing the bone graft into the resected nuclear space. Disc resection is conducted through two portals through the annulus, with one portal supporting resection instruments and the other supporting a viewing device. The fixation hardware is inserted through small incisions aligned with each pedicle to be instrumented. The hardware includes bone screws, fixation plates, engagement nuts, and linking members. In an important aspect of the method, the fixation plates, engagement nuts and linking members are supported suprafascially but subcutaneously so that the fascia and muscle tissue are not damaged. The bone screw is configured to support the fixation hardware above the fascia. In a further aspect of the invention, a three component dilator system is provided for use during the bone screw implantation steps of the method.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns a method for internal fixation of vertebra of the spine.

[0002] It has long been known that internal fixation is an adjunct to fusion, such as a transverse process fusion. In early prior art techniques, a surgeon made an incision in the patient's back and separated tissue and muscle in order to expose a wide area of the spine in which the procedure was to take place. The fusion and fixation in one prior art process is by grafting bone segments between opposing transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae. However, this technique resulted in gross destruction of normal anatomy as well as high blood loss. Moreover, this surgical technique did not completely stabilize the vertebra since there was no direct connection between the vertebral bodies.

[0003] In more recent times, a surgical technique known as dowel interbody fusion has been developed. In this technique, bores are formed in disc tissue through either open surger...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More