Bone Plate System and Related Methods

Abstract

A bone plate system for use in an “open door” laminoplasty procedure, including a bone plate, a first fixation element, and at least one second fixation element. The bone plate is elongated and has a generally curved shape such that the plate has an associated radius of curvature. The plate is sized and dimensioned to span a gap between a pair of bony segments, for example a pair of bony segments constituting a divided lamina. The first and second fixation elements are each configured to securely attach the bone plate to the bony segments. The bone plate has a first end including a generally U-shaped slot extending therein such that the open end of the slot comprises a first terminal end of the plate.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 499,659 filed Jul. 11, 2012, which is the U.S. National Stage Entry of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2010 / 002686 filed Oct. 4, 2010, and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 299,925 filed Jan. 29, 2010 and from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 248,444 filed Oct. 3, 2009, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference into this disclosure as if set forth in its entirety herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]I. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to the field of laminoplasty, and, more particularly, to laminoplasty devices and methods.[0004]II. Discussion of the Prior Art[0005]Spinal stenosis is a degenerative narrowing of the spinal canal, nerve root canals and / or intervertebral foramina caused by bone and / or ligament hypertrophy in local, segmental or gener...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a bone plate system for use in an open door laminoplasty procedure. The system increases safety and reproducibility by eliminating the steps of drilling and screwing over an open spinal cord and an unstable hinged lamina. The open U-shaped plate design facilitates the placement of the laminar screw before cuts are made to the laminae, eliminating the risks of drilling and screwing over an open cord and hinged lamina. A template tool can be used to mark the lamina, making the procedure easier and safer. The system allows for an increase in safety and reproducibility over traditional laminoplasty surgical techniques. The bone plate system is easy to use and securely positions the lamina during the procedure.

Problems solved by technology

For this “open door” laminoplasty procedure, one challenge is to securely maintain the grooved portion of lamina or “lamina hinge portion” for proper healing.

This traditional procedure can be risky to perform largely because the cuts in the lamina are made before the hole for the laminar screw are drilled.

This means that the surgeon is likely drilling through an unstable lamina directly over otherwise exposed spinal cord.

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