113 results about "Posterior approach" patented technology

Methods and devices are provided for replacing a spinal disc. In an exemplary embodiment, artificial disc replacements and methods are provided wherein at least a portion of a disc replacement can be implanted using a posterolateral approach. With a posterolateral approach, the spine is accessed more from the side of the spinal canal through an incision formed in the patient's back. A pathway is created from the incision to the disc space between adjacent vertebrae. Portions of the posterolateral annulus, and posterior lip of the vertebral body may be removed to access the disc space, leaving the remaining annulus and the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments in tact. The disc implant can be at least partially introduced using a posterolateral approach, yet it has a size that is sufficient to restore height to the adjacent vertebrae, and that is sufficient to maximize contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.

The invention consists of disc replacement implant for the lumbar spine designed for insertion into the disc space via a posterior approach. The implant can be stabilized in the disc space by connection to the vertebra or can be connected to dynamic spinal stabilization device consisting of interconnected bullets nested in a spring nested in a woven sleeve. By controlling the limits of elongation and compression the device prevents movement beyond normal physiological limits. In the midrange of movement flexibility is allowed. A method for using the dynamic spinal stabilization device is also provided.

A prosthetic intervertebral disc is formed of first and second end plates sized and shaped to fit within an intervertebral space and to be implanted from the back of the patient, thereby decreasing the invasiveness of the procedure. The posterior approach provides for a smaller posterior surgical incision and avoids important blood vessels located anterior to the spine particularly for lumbar disc replacements. The first and second plates are each formed of first, second and third parts are arranged in a first configuration in which the parts are axially aligned to form a low profile device appropriate for insertion through the small opening available in the TLIF or PLIF approaches described above. The three parts of both of the plates rotate and translate with respect to one another in situ to a second configuration or a deployed configuration in which the parts are axially unaligned with each other to provide a maximum coverage of the vertebral end plates for a minimum of insertion profile. Upon deployment of the disc, a height of the disc is increased.

A posterior approach for intervertebral disk replacement is provided. This technique is particularly suited for assembling a multi-piece artificial spinal disk replacement device in situ in order to alleviate discomfort associated with the spinal column.

A modular implant system and method for dynamic stabilization of a spine segment that can be implanted in a minimally invasive posterior approach. In one embodiment, the implant device has an inferior body portion configured for fixation in a sacrum or ilium and a superior body portion configured for engaging one or more spinous processes to limit extension and optionally flexion while off-loading a spine segment. The implant system can be configured to stabilize a spine segment, re-distribute loads with the spine segment and still allow spine lateral bending and torsion. Besides being far less invasive than other procedures, the system and method is reversible and adjustable post-implant.

The present invention provides a surgical positioning assembly that is used to place a spinal implant device or the like within an intervertebral space or the like of a patient and associated surgical methods. Advantageously, the surgical positioning assembly allows access to the implantation site to be gained along a first axis, with the implant device subsequently being placed along a second axis that is disposed at an angle or substantially perpendicular to the first axis via the actuation of the surgical positioning assembly. Thus, for example, a surgeon may use an anterior or posterior approach to place an implant device laterally, or vice versa.

A posterior approach for intervertebral disk replacement is provided. This technique is particularly suited for assembling a multi-piece artificial spinal disk replacement device in situ in order to alleviate discomfort associated with the spinal column.

Methods and devices are provided for replacing a spinal disc. In an exemplary embodiment, artificial disc replacements and methods are provided wherein at least a portion of a disc replacement can be implanted using a posterolateral approach. With a posterolateral approach, the spine is accessed more from the side of the spinal canal through an incision formed in the patient's back. A pathway is created from the incision to the disc space between adjacent vertebrae. Portions of the posterolateral annulus, and posterior lip of the vertebral body may be removed to access the disc space, leaving the remaining annulus and the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments in tact. The disc implant can be at least partially introduced using a posterolateral approach, yet it has a size that is sufficient to restore height to the adjacent vertebrae, and that is sufficient to maximize contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.

A posterior approach for intervertebral disk replacement is provided. This technique is particularly suited for assembling a multi-piece artificial spinal disk replacement device in situ in order to alleviate discomfort associated with the spinal column.

A stabilization system for a human spine is provided. The stabilization system may include two dynamic interbody devices and/or one or more dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The dynamic interbody devices may be inserted into a disc space using a posterior approach. A first portion of a dynamic interbody device may contact a lower vertebra. A second portion of the dynamic interbody device may contact an upper vertebra. The first portion may be wider than the second portion to facilitate a large contact area against the lower vertebra and to facilitate insertion of the dynamic interbody device in the available space. The dynamic interbody devices may allow for coupled axial rotation and lateral bending of vertebrae adjacent to the dynamic interbody devices. The dynamic posterior stabilization systems may provide resistance to movement that mimics the resistance provided by a normal functional spinal unit.

A modular implant system and method is provided for the dynamic stabilization of a spine segment and that can be implanted in a posterior approach. The implant system can include first and second support bodies configured for fixation to outward or lateral surfaces of first and second vertebrae, respectively. The implant system can also comprise a resilient portion. The method can comprise fixating first and second support bodies to first and second vertebrae respectively.

The various embodiments described herein provide lateral mass and facet fixation implants, which may be inserted and applied via a posterior approach, using minimally invasive or less invasive techniques. The embodiments described below generally include an intrafacet implant (or “facet implant”) and a lateral mass fixation member attached to or attachable to the facet implant. The lateral mass fixation member can include one or more tabs extending from a middle portion and configured to secure the lateral mass fixation member to lateral masses of adjacent vertebrae. The tabs may be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid, and may be collapsible to facilitate insertion of the device. Methods for delivering the lateral mass and facet fixation implants are also described.

A method and instrumentation for spinal interbody fusion is disclosed. The instruments and methods are particularly adapted for interbody fusion from a posterior approach to the spine. One instrument is a retractor having a lockable pivotally mounted handle. Another instrument is a template for straddling the dura. A modular distractor is also provided and preferably includes a tapered shaft with a visualization window disposed therein. Yet another instrument is a depth gauge to verify bone opening depth and dimension, preferably including a radiopaque portion. A method contemplates the use of these instruments to prepare a disc space to receive an implant.

An expandable intervertebral spacer has a plurality of arms. The arms can be retracted or extended. The spacer has a width that is narrower than the width between the nerve roots near the posterior approach to an intervertebral space. Once inserted into the intervertebral space, the arms can be deployed. The deployed arms expand the height and width of the spacer. Once deployed, the spacer stabilizes two adjacent vertebrae. The arms are interconnected mechanically to deploy simultaneously.

Disc spacers (DS) are assembled within a disc space, allowing them to be inserted through smaller openings in the Annulus Fibrosus (AF). The large size of the assembled DS decreases the pressure on the vertebral endplates. Embodiments of the invention may be used in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. The DS may be inserted through an anterior, lateral, or posterior approach to the spine using annulus preserving techniques. The devices are preferably made of biocompatible materials such as titanium, chrome cobalt, and ceramic. Alternative materials, including materials with shape memory properties, such as Nitinol, may be used to form one or more components of the device.

Embodiments of a geared spinal implant inserter-distractor disclosed herein provide a greater mechanical advantage in delivering an intervertebral implant via an anterior, anterior-lateral, or posterior approach. The geared spinal implant inserter-distractor comprises an inserter, a distractor structured to slidably receive the inserter with a collar and an intervertebral implant attached thereto, and a gear mechanism arranged to translate a surgeon's rotational motion into linear motion, allowing the surgeon to have a greater control and feedback when placing an implant within an intervertebral disc space. The gear arrangement comprises a pinion inside the distractor and a rack on the inserter. The pinion can be driven by a shaft connected to a knob or handle. With the gear mechanism, a surgeon can turn the knob or handle to drive the inserter in and out of the distractor in a quantifiable manner, which facilitates the desirable precision delivery of the intervertebral implant.

A spinal implant that includes a plurality of components adapted for use as an implant in a disc. Each component is configured to be inserted into a void of a disc and each component complimentarily abuts at least one other component to form the implant. A method treating a spinal disc that includes creating a port from a posterior approach into the disc space of a spinal disc; and inserting components that form a spinal implant into the disc space through the port to form the spinal implant. A method of forming a modular spinal implant, comprising: preparing a plurality of components that are shaped for insertion into a disc, wherein each component abuts at least one other component in the disc.

An implant of the intersomatic cage type, for fusion of vertebral bodies by a transforaminal approach, is disclosed that comprises a body with a curved profile that is designed to be implanted between the vertebral plates of two adjacent vertebrae. According to the invention, said body of curved profile comprises a posterior maneuvering part and an anterior attack part, said anterior attack part being composed of a lower tongue and of an upper tongue that are designed to receive between them a spacer element that can slide between a position of introduction, in which it is situated near said posterior maneuvering part, and a spacing position, in which it is situated near the end of said anterior attack part, thus increasing the thickness of the latter by spreading the tongues apart, said spacer element comprising a receiving seat that is open at the top and bottom.

Repair of a spine from a posterior approach especially for locating an implant between a lower and upper human vertebra includes making an incision in the skin lateral to the midline, making an incision through the Erector Spinae Aponeurosis (ESA) following the ELIF groove, separating the ESA from the Longissimus Thoracis Pars Lumborum (LTPL), atraumatic separating the Multifidus from the LTPL using the interfascial boundary between the Multifidus and the LTPL, and creating a surgical plane having an angle of 20°-60°.