Longitudinal support

Abstract

A longitudinal support having a first and second longitudinal support element. The first longitudinal support element having a longitudinal axis, includes first and second coaxial connecting segments provided with a first end and a second end, and an deformable articulated socket on the second connecting segment first longitudinal support element. The deformable articulated socket is axially open and can be deformed transversely to the longitudinal axis. The articulated socket includes a hollow spherical segment-like cavity with a diameter of D with an opening on the second end that is concentric with the longitudinal axis and has a diameter of d, while d<D. Further, the first connecting segment of the first longitudinal support element has a thread extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second longitudinal support element having a longitudinal axis, includes first and second coaxial connecting segments with a first end and a second end. The first connecting segment is able to be connected with the first connecting segment of the longitudinal support element, and the second connecting segment includes an articulated head that is complementary to the articulated socket.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT / CH2003 / 000605, filed Sep. 8, 2003, the entire contents of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to longitudinal support elements to stabilize bones, particularly bodies of the vertebra. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The current treatment for damaged or tumorous bodies of the vertebra usually comprises implanting a rigid longitudinal support, anchored on the bodies of the vertebra by bone anchoring means or a rigid bone plate. The purpose of these devices is to prevent, by means of the rigid implants, the movement of the bodies of the vertebra stabilized in this manner relative to one another and to promote the fusion of adjacent bodies of the vertebra. [0004] A device to stabilize the bodies of the vertebra using a multi-segmented longitudinal support that can be fixed in a desi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The advantages achieved by the longitudinal support are that the longitudinal support may comprise a plurality of longitudinal support elements which can be joined to one another, in a pre-assembled manner; the longitudinal support can be adapted in-situ to suit the desired geometry without using any force; and implanting of the longitudinal support can be considerably simplified. Also, because a first longitudinal support element has an articulated socket, the first longitudinal support element can be polyaxially pivotably joined with a second longitudinal support element having a complementary articulated head.

[0009] In another embodiment, the articulated socket has an external spherical convex construction, thus achieving the advantage of a polyaxially pivotable accorumodation of the articulated socket in, for example, a bone anchoring means constructed as a tulip screw.

[0013] In another embodiment, the articulated head and the articulated socket can be elastically snapped into one another. This has the advantage that a simple pre-assembly of a longitudinal support, comprising a plurality of longitudinal support segments, is possible.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, the longitudinal support comprises an end-piece with an articulated head that can be snapped into an articulated socket. This has the advantage that an articulated socket, provided at the end of the longitudinal support, will not be compressed when mounted in the receptacle on the head of a pedicle screw. The longitudinal support preferably comprises a second end-piece with an articulated socket.

[0018] In yet another embodiment, the fixing means may comprise an elastically expandable clamp that can be placed over the articulated socket and snapped onto the head segment of the bone fixing means. After the assembly of the clamp, the articulated socket is compressed by the clamp. This has the advantage, that due to the compressing of the second articulated part, the articulated socket is locked between the two longitudinal support segments, and the longitudinal support is fixed on the bone anchoring means. The clamp has preferably a lug on each of its free end, that can be snapped onto the head segment of the bone anchoring means. For a better acceptance of the lugs, notches complementing the lugs may be provided on the head segment.

Problems solved by technology

Such a material is biocompatible and highly elastic.

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