Intervertebral spinal implant systems

Abstract

An apparatus and method for joining members together using a self-drilling screw apparatus or stapling apparatus are disclosed. The screw apparatus includes a worm drive screw, a spur gear and superior and inferior screws which turn simultaneously in a bi-directional manner. A rotating mechanism drives the first and second screw members in opposite directions and causes the screw members to embed themselves in the members to be joined. The screw apparatus can be used to join members such as bones, portions of the spinal column, vertebral bodies, wood, building materials, metals, masonry, or plastics. A device employing two screws (two-in-one) can be combined with a capping horizontal mini-plate. A device employing three screws can be combined in enclosures (three-in-one). The stapling apparatus includes grip handles, transmission linkages, a drive rod a fulcrum and a cylinder. The staple has superior and inferior segments with serrated interfaces, a teethed unidirectional locking mechanism and four facet piercing elements. The staples can be also be used to join members such as bones, portions of the spinal column, or vertebral bodies.

Description

[0001]The present Application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 868,451 filed Aug. 25, 2010, which is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 536,815 filed on Sep. 29, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,846,188 issued Dec. 7, 2010, which is a Continuation-In-Part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 208,644, filed on Aug. 23, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,704,279 issued on Apr. 27, 2010, for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120; and this application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 60 / 670,231, filed on Apr. 12, 2005; the entire contents of all the above identified patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a unique universal bidirectional screw (UBS) system, and in particular its application to the spine, also referred to as bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screws which can be used ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a new plating system for spinal fusion that uses trans-pedicular screws which engage all three spinal columns, leading to a stronger solid fusion with fewer complications. The use of these screws also reduces the need for muscle retraction, blood loss, and operating time. The plating system can be used at multiple levels without causing injury to the esophagus or vascular structures, and screw dislodgement is minimized. The system also avoids lateral neural or vertebral artery injury and allows for multiple placement of devices without these risks and complications.

Problems solved by technology

Because of the poor blood supply of the transverse processes, issues still remained with pseudoarthroses.

Complications of pedicle screw placement include duration of procedure, significant tissue dissection and muscle retraction, misplaced screws with neural and / or vascular injury, excessive blood loss, need for transfusions, prolonged recovery, incomplete return to work, excess rigidity leading to adjacent segmental disease requiring further fusions and re-operations.

Complications of all current interbody fusion devices is their lack of coverage of the majority of the cross sectional area of the vertebral endplates and their potential for extrusion.

The recently described flexible fusion system which consists of flexible rods attached to transpedicular screws (Dionysis, Zimmer) suffers from a high pull-out rate, higher rate of re-operation than standard fusions, and does not rank high with patient satisfaction.

These advances, however, have not eliminated the possibility of plate dislodgement and screw back out / breakage.

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