1389 results about "Cervical spine" patented technology

An intervertebral prosthesis, in particular for the cervical spine, includes a first cover plate to be connected to a first vertebral body, a second cover plate to be connected to the second vertebral body, and a prosthesis core which forms an articulation with the second cover plate. The prosthesis core is held by a seat of the first cover plate which is designed as a guide device. The core can be pushed into the guide device from the ventral side in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction relative to the first cover plate. A limit-stop plate is provided on the ventral edge of the first cover plate. This limit-stop plate is displaceable in a slide guide between a locking position and a nonlocking position.

An interbody spacer assembly includes a pair of end pieces spaced apart by a connector extending between them. The end pieces extend generally parallel to the end plates of adjoining vertebral bodies. Fasteners connect the end pieces to the vertebral bodies. Bone graft material or solid bone can be placed in the interior space defined by the end pieces and connector, which bone graft material or solid bone eventually fuses together and to the adjoining end plates through the end pieces.

A cervical compression plate assembly having screw receiving elements at opposite ends that are configured for engaging bone fixation screws extending from respective vertebral elements. The assembly permits the distance between the screw receiving elements at opposite ends to be shortened but prevents the distance from increasing. A spring mechanism is housed within the plate assembly and is configured for continuously urging the screw receiving elements at opposite ends together for thereby providing continuous compressive loading on bone graft material disposed between the vertebral elements.

Arrangement for the intra-operative determination of the spatial position and angular position of a joint replacement implant, especially a hip socket or shoulder socket or an associated stem implant, or a vertebral replacement implant, especially a lumbar or cervical vertebral implant, using a computer tomography method, having: a computer tomography modeling device for generating and storing a three-dimensional image of a joint region or vertebral region to be provided with the joint replacement implant, an optical coordinate-measuring arrangement for providing real position coordinates of defined real or virtual points of the joint region or vertebral region and / or position reference vectors between such points within the joint region or vertebral region or from those points to joint-function-relevant points on an extremity outside the joint region or vertebral region, the coordinate-measuring arrangement comprising a stereocamera or stereocamera arrangement for the spatial recording of transducer signals, at least one multipoint transducer, which comprises a group of measurement points rigidly connected to one another, and an evaluation unit for evaluating sets of measurement point coordinates supplied by the multipoint transducer(s) and recorded by the stereocamera, and a matching-processing unit for real position matching of the image to the actual current spatial position of the joint region or vertebral region with reference to the real position coordinates of the defined points, the matching-processing unit being configured for calculating transformation parameters with minimalization of the normal spacings.

An instrument system for preparing a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies to receive a repair device includes a series of distractors for distracting the vertebral bodies in a manner that restores natural lordosis of the lumbar and cervical spine, a vertebrae immobilizing template to fix the positions of the bodies, a handle for employing the distractor and the template, and a reamer for cutting tissue from endplates of the vertebral bodies.

In one embodiment of the invention, an anterior fixation system includes a plate defining a plurality of screw holes, a number of screws and a number of locking assemblies for fixing the screws to the plate. The system includes two bone screws a fixed angle screw and a variable angle screw, that are configured to extend through the same screw openings in the fixation plate. The surgeon can select either the fixed or variable angled screws to be implanted with a single plate and can place either type of screw into any of the screw holes along the plate. The fixation plate according to the invention can include several screw holes in various patterns that provide the surgeon with great flexibility in the placement of bone screws depending upon the spinal anatomy and pathology. The invention further contemplates a locking assembly to lock one or more bone screws within a respective screw hole. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is held to the plate by a staked locking screw. The washer includes an outer surface that overlaps one or more screw holes. The washer is initially loosely held to the plate by the locking screw so that various tools and bone screws can be passed through the screw holes. In one embodiment of the washer, the washer includes cut-outs corresponding to the screw holes, along with a notch and key configuration for setting the locking washer in its locked configuration.

The invention broadly facilitates reconstruction of the Annulus Fibrosus (AF) or the AF and the Nucleus Pulposus (NP). Such Reconstruction prevents recurrent herniation following Microlumbar Discectomy (MLD) other procedures. The invention may also be used in the treatment of herniated discs, annular tears of the disc, or disc degeneration, while enabling surgeons to preserve the contained NP. The methods and apparatus may be used to treat discs throughout the spine including the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines of humans and animals. In the preferred embodiment, a spinal repair system according to the invention comprises a first end portion adapted for placement within an intervertebral body, a second end portion adapted for placement within an adjacent intervertebral body, and a bridge portion connecting the first and second end portions, the bridge portion being adapted to span a portion of an intervertebral disc space and prevent excessive outward bulging.

Fusion of cervical spinal vertebrae with one or more fixation devices can be accomplished with the described tools and methods. For example, a guidewire introducer can include a tubular introducer cannula and a handle. The handle can be angularly offset from the introducer cannula such that positioning of the introducer on the cervical spine does not interfere with a patient's head. A sheath assembly can include inner and outer sheath bodies and a handle. The handle is angularly offset from the sheath bodies such that the sheath assembly can be applied to the cervical spine without interference to the patient's head. The sheath body can be curved or straight. Various tools such as drills, tapping devices, compression tools, and pin release tools can be applied to the cervical spine through the sheath body to apply the fixation device. The tools can include elongate flexible shafts.

A bone stabilization or fixation assembly may include a bone plate having an upper side and an underside and at least one fixation hole having a first diameter and the hole extending from the upper side to the underside. The area of the bone plate adjacent the fixation hole has a first thickness. The bone stabilization assembly further includes at least one fastener having a head, a shaft, and a relief. The head has a larger dimension than the shaft. The shaft may have threads having a pitch, a core diameter and an outer thread diameter. The relief has a length and a second diameter. The first diameter of the fixation hole may be smaller than the outer thread diameter but larger than the second diameter of the relief. Also, the length of the relief may be greater than the first thickness of the bone plate. The first diameter may be greater than, equal to, or less than the core diameter of the shaft.

Fusion of cervical spinal vertebrae with one or more fixation devices can be accomplished with the described tools and methods. For example, a guidewire introducer can include a tubular introducer cannula and a handle. The handle can be angularly offset from the introducer cannula such that positioning of the introducer on the cervical spine does not interfere with a patient's head. A sheath assembly can include inner and outer sheath bodies and a handle. The handle is angularly offset from the sheath bodies such that the sheath assembly can be applied to the cervical spine without interference to the patient's head. The sheath body can be curved or straight. Various tools such as drills, tapping devices, compression tools, and pin release tools can be applied to the cervical spine through the sheath body to apply the fixation device. The tools can include elongate flexible shafts.

A device and method for dilating a cervical canal. The device includes an elongated member with an expandable anchoring component attached to its distal tip. An expandable dilating member is attached to the elongated member proximally of the anchoring component for dilating the cervical canal. The anchoring component can be expanded after insertion of the device into the cervical canal to correctly position the device relative to the canal. A device and method for sealing a cervical canal is also provided. The device includes a tube having an expandable seal assembly attached to its distal end. The seal assembly has a ridged or corrugated surface when it is in an expanded condition to provide a seal for the cervical canal.

An intervertebral prosthesis, in particular for the cervical spine, has two attachment plates connected in an articulated manner. The attachment surfaces of the attachment plates, which are configured for attachment to adjacent vertebral bodies have a base surface configured to bear on the surface of the vertebral bodies, and self-tapping fixing projections rising from the base surface. These fixing projections are formed by at least one pair of ribs which extend in opposite directions obliquely with respect to a predetermined implantation direction and whose side faces oriented more away from the implantation direction are steeper than their side faces oriented more in the implantation direction. The ribs can be toothed.

A fixation device is provided to immobilize a spinal motion segment and promote posterior fusion, used as stand-alone instrumentation or as an adjunct to an anterior approach. The device functions as a multi-level fusion system including modular single-level implementations. At a single-level the implant includes a pair of plates spanning two adjacent vertebrae with embedding teeth on the medially oriented surfaces directed into the spinous processes or laminae. The complementary plates at a single-level are connected via a cross-post passed through the interspinous process gap The freedom of rotational motion of both the cross-post and collar enables the complementary plates to be connected at a range of angles in the axial and coronal planes accommodating varying morphologies of the posterior elements in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. To achieve multi-level fusion the single-level implementation can be connected in series using an interlocking mechanism fixed by a set-screw.

A protective helmet, which includes a motion restrictor device, is disclosed which has at least one strut member associated with the helmet and a harness assembly, and the at least one strut member includes a locking assembly associated with the strut member, which upon a predetermined force being sensed by a force sensor or a predetermined amount of or rate of acceleration being sensed by an acceleration sensor, stops substantially all relative motion between the ends of the strut member and the predetermined force is substantially transferred from the helmet to the harness assembly.

A spinal disc prosthetic for replacement of cervical and / or lumber discs, that in each case allows a limited degree of rotational articulation, as well as durability and resistance to fatigue. The prosthetic is formed with three primary layers, including a superior (upper) plate, inferior (lower) plate, and intermediate layer, in a sandwiched configuration. The superior plate member is adapted to be secured on one side to an upper vertebra in a spinal column, and has a formed concave side exposed downwardly. The inferior plate member is adapted to be secured on one side to a lower vertebra in the spinal column, and has a substantially flat side exposed upwardly. The intermediate member is sandwiched between the superior and inferior plate members with conforming sides, and a short cylindrical post protrudes downward from the intermediate member and is seated inside a circular recess in the inferior plate member to center it and to maintain a predetermined spacing there between. This allows a degree of rotational freedom. A variety of locking assemblies lock the post in the recess to prevent withdrawal, thereby increasing durability without obstructing the degree of freedom.

A cervical drill guide apparatus includes a handle assembly having a housing and an extension member attached to one end of the housing. The handle assembly includes a fixed handle and a movable handle. A distal end of the extension member includes a plurality of fingers that are radially expandable or contractible in response to relative movement between an actuation shaft and the extension tube. The fingers are adapted for releasably engaging an opening in a plate. Additionally, a guide member is releasably attached to the distal end portion of the cervical drill guide apparatus. The guide member includes at least one opening therethrough for receiving a drill or other surgical instrumentation. The extension member may be rotatable in relation to the housing.

A surgical kit is used for performing an anterior cervical disectomy, the surgical kit having a sheath that is inserted into a mammal by using a bullet coupled to the sheath and impacting on the bullet. Various cutters, including a cervical cutter having a drill tip end, a serrated cutter having an enclave for receiving cutting spoils therein, and a deburrment cutter having a burr end, are insertable through the sheath for cutting bone and disc matter. An impactor can be used to move the sheath within the mammal during use of the serrated cutter and deburrment cutter without the need to remove either tool. A pituitaries is used to remove loose bone and disc material.

An adjustable neck brace worn at a human neck for fixing a cervical vertebra includes a cover panel and an adjusting device fixed onto a surface of the cover panel, and the adjusting device includes an adjusting rod, a limit member and an adjusting knob disposed on a surface corresponding to the adjusting rod, and an end of the limit member includes a bracket, and the adjusting knob links an adjusting gear installed at the adjusting rod, and an end of the adjusting rod includes a height adjusting plate having a supporting portion for supporting a chin. With the foregoing technical measures, the invention features a secured and stable structure to maximize the effects of medical treatment and physical therapy. The height of the supporting portion can be adjusted to provide users a feedback about a definite feel of the adjustment through the bracket.

Disclosed are systems and methods for spinal fusion and particularly, anterior cervical plating systems with a toggle pivotally mounted to a bone plate with at least two degrees of freedom of movement. In a particular embodiment, each toggle plate is slidably attached and pivotally mounted to the bone plate by a locking screw having an axis such that in at least one slidable position each toggle plate can pivot relative to the axis of the locking screw in the bone plate.

A protective helmet, which includes a motion restrictor device, is disclosed which has at least one strut member associated with the helmet and a harness assembly, and the at least one strut member includes a locking assembly associated with the strut member, which upon a predetermined force being sensed by a force sensor or a predetermined amount of or rate of acceleration being sensed by an acceleration sensor, stops substantially all relative motion between the ends of the strut member and the predetermined force is substantially transferred from the helmet to the harness assembly.

A biomechanical system for testing a coupled joint is provided. The coupled joint has a fixed first end and a moving second end within the testing system. The testing system includes a servo actuation system operatively connected to the moving end. The system is able to impart at least four degrees of freedom to the moving end of the coupled joint. The testing system also includes a first force sensor disposed between the servo actuation system and the moving end of the coupled joint for sensing applied load, and a second force sensor disposed at the fixed end of the coupled joint for sensing transmitted load. The system also includes a controller for selectively directing input signals to the servo actuation system in order to apply selected forces and / or motions to the moving end of the coupled joint. The coupled joint may be a cervical spine specimen.

A head support pillow formed of a visco-elastic foam that is securable to a car seat, baby carrier, or the like that includes a number of support surfaces for maintaining the head of a user in an upright position by providing support to the back of the head, the left and right sides of the head and the chin. The head support pillow also includes a cervical support portion for supporting the cervical spine in a comfortable position.

Methods and devices are for providing the delivery of radioactive therapeutics to a cervix using a split ring applicator. The split ring applicator includes a central tandem and a plurality of adjustable split ring tubes that are adjustable laterally in relation to a cervical axis. A radiation dosage is deliverable to a cervical wall by at least one of the plurality of adjustable split ring tubes.

An adjustable neck brace worn at a human neck for fixing a cervical vertebra includes a cover panel and an adjusting device fixed onto a surface of the cover panel, and the adjusting device includes an adjusting rod, a limit member and an adjusting knob disposed on a surface corresponding to the adjusting rod, and an end of the limit member includes a bracket, and the adjusting knob links an adjusting gear installed at the adjusting rod, and an end of the adjusting rod includes a height adjusting plate having a supporting portion for supporting a chin. With the foregoing technical measures, the invention features a secured and stable structure to maximize the effects of medical treatment and physical therapy. The height of the supporting portion can be adjusted to provide users a feedback about a definite feel of the adjustment through the bracket.

PCT No. PCT / ES97 / 00178 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 24, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 24, 1999 PCT Filed Jul. 15, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO98 / 03129 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 29, 1998The invention comprises the following elements: cervico-anatomical orientation posts (FIGS. 1-8) used in the first surgical operation, in order to help replace the dental pieces to be restored; cervico-anatomical temporal healing pillars, of the direct or indirect type (FIGS. 9-12) whose design is intended to provide the gingival tissues with the morphology necessary in the healing phase and the ideal housing for the artificial tooth. Transporter (FIGS. 13 and 14), this being the element which evaluates the orientation, depth and inclination of the implants; direct and indirect cervico-anatomical transfer pins (FIGS. 16-18), which copy the exact intraoral position of the implants and the peri-implantory soft tissues; parallelizer (FIGS. 19 and 20) which replicate the position of the polygonal head of the implant; hexagonal base (FIGS. 23 and 24) for angle pillars; surgical guides (FIGS. 25-36) presenting the directing piece, patterns, tubular parts for bone drilling and direction posts.

A woman's shoe includes an insole surface layer, a sole under the insole surface layer and at least a thermoplastic rubber member. The sole is cut with at least a recess, for fitting the thermoplastic rubber member therein at a spot corresponding to a portion of a foot supporting a person's weight while walking or standing. Accordingly, the thermoplastic rubber member can absorb an impact force or a pressure as high as one third to two thirds of a body's weight while wearing such high-heel shoes. Moreover, it can soothe sourness of one's shoulders, soften the cervical vertebra and prevent insomnia, achieving a comfortable and healthy effect.

A portable traction device suitable for cervical traction powered by a pneumatic cylinder. The portable traction device includes a support structure having a longitudinal axis and a carriage slidable along a portion of the support structure parallel to the longitudinal axis. The carriage including restraining mechanism for releasably restraining a portion of a patient's body to the carriage. A pneumatic cylinder includes a cylinder housing attached to the support structure. The cylinder housing contains a piston and piston rod. The piston rod is attached to the carriage for moving the carriage along the longitudinal axis relative to the support structure when pressurized air is injected into the pneumatic cylinder. The piston has at least one pressure activated seal extending circumferentially around the piston for engagement with an inside surface of the cylinder housing. A bicycle-style hand pump fluidly connected to the pneumatic cylinder is provided for injecting pressurized air into the cylinder.