83 results about "Spinal segment" patented technology

The pedicle screw system may be used for fixation of spinal segments and may be advantageous when minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques are employed. The pedicle screw system includes a tulip assembly comprising of a tulip body, a inner member, and an expansion member. Installation of the pedicle screw system into pedicles of the spine, for example, includes inserting the pedicle screw into a portion of the spine and then coupling the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw. The tulip assembly may be locked onto the pedicle screw before a distraction rod is placed in the tulip assembly. After the rod is placed in the tulip assembly, the tulip body and the inner member can be rotated relative to one another to lock the rod into the tulip assembly. In addition, the relative rotation may also provide additional locking of the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw.

The pedicle screw system may be used for fixation of spinal segments and may be advantageous when minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques are employed. The pedicle screw system includes a tulip assembly comprising a tulip body, a inner member, an expansion member, and a cap assembly. Installation of the pedicle screw system into pedicles of the spine, for example, includes inserting the pedicle screw into a portion of the spine, coupling a partial assembly comprising the tulip body, inner member, and expansion member to the pedicle screw, placing a rod in the tulip assembly, and then coupling the cap assembly to the tulip body. Coupling the cap assembly to the tulip body includes initially locking the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw and then locking the rod in the tulip assembly.

The invention relates generally to implant systems and methods for treating spine disorders, and more particularly to least invasive implant systems configured for re-distributing loads on a spine segment while still allowing spine flexion, extension, lateral bending and torsion. The implant system can include implants configured for spanning bi-lateral intercostal locations that can be introduced and implanted via posterior access to the spine through small bilateral incisions.

A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain.

Methods and apparatus for controlling flexion in a spinal segment of a patient include performing a spinal fusion procedure on a pair of adjacent vertebrae in the spinal segment and implanting a constraint device into the patient. Adjusting length or tension in the constraint device allows the constraint device to provide a force a force resistant to flexion of the spinal segment undergoing fusion. The constraint device also modulates loads borne by the spinal segment undergoing fusion or tissue adjacent thereto.

The present invention provides a system and method for lumbar arthroplasty in a spinal segment having first and second vertebral bodies, where a intervertebral disc prosthesis may be provided and positioned between the first and second vertebral bodies such that a center of rotation of movement of the vertebral bodies about the prosthesis is located substantially proximate to the upper endplate of the second vertebral body and substantially proximate to the posterior one-third portion of the second vertebral body. In addition, a stabilization element may be affixed to the first and second vertebral bodies such that a range of motion of the stabilization device defines a center of rotation substantially proximate to that of the intervertebral disc prosthesis.

Disclosed is an expandable percutaneous sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration by a removable tubular restraint or by structural elements built into the wall of the expandable portion of the sheath. In one application, the sheath is utilized to introduce a formed in place orthopedic fixation rod such as for use in spinal fixation procedures, preparation of a spinal segment, or placement of a vertebral body spacer. The sheath can further comprise structural elements to permit re-collapse of the sheath under fluid pressure following completion of the procedure and prior to removal from the patient.

The embodiments provide various interbody fusion spacers, or cages, for insertion between adjacent vertebrae. These intervertebral cages can restore and maintain intervertebral height of the spinal segment to be treated, and stabilize the spine by restoring sagittal balance and alignment. The cages may have a first, insertion configuration characterized by a reduced size at each of their insertion ends to facilitate insertion through a narrow access passage and into the intervertebral space. The cages may be expanded to a second, expanded size once implanted. In their second configuration, the cages are able to maintain the proper disc height and stabilize the spine by restoring sagittal balance and alignment. The intervertebral cages are configured to be able to adjust the angle of lordosis, and can accommodate larger lodortic angles in their second, expanded configuration. Further, these cages may promote fusion to further enhance spine stability by immobilizing the adjacent vertebral bodies.

An instrument for spinal rotation that aligns and holds direct vertebral rotation (DVR) lever arms relative to each other to achieve an initial axial alignment of a segment of vertebrae and allows the final DVR rotation by rotating the instrument and lever arms together. A method of direct vertebral rotation that allows rotating the vertebrae to be aligned relative to each other, and collectively rotating the vertebrae to be aligned relative to adjacent spinal segments by rotating the direct vertebral rotation instrument. A system for direct vertebral rotation having at least two pedicle screws. The system also includes at least two levers attachable to the pedicle screws and a clamping instrument configured to clamp the levers.

Disclosed is a prosthetic device for distracting spinal column segments in the lumbar and the lumbar-sacral regions comprising a first engagement arm, a second engagement arm, a coupling mechanism and a locking mechanism. The first and the second engagement arms are configured to receive a lamina portion of the spinal column segment. The coupling mechanism is disposed between the first and the second engagement arms and is configured to allow the device to transition from an unextended configuration to an extended configuration in order to distract the spinal column segment. The locking mechanism is configured to maintain the extended configuration of the device.

Described herein are devices and methods for fusion of adjacent vertebral bones using distractor platforms for exposure and resection of at least a portion of the facet joint, such as in performance of a TLiF procedure. In one embodiment, the distractor platform contains at least a first receptacle and/or extension adapted to couple to the implanted screw/bone marker and the method includes advancing a threaded segment of a bone fastener assembly into the identified first pedicle of the first vertebral bone, the first bone fastener assembly further comprises a second segment adapted to couple with a distraction platform adapted to concurrently attach onto at least one tissue retention blade and adapted to retain the tissue retention blade in the displaced position. Stabilization of a spinal segment is also provided by advancing a substantially concave orthopedic implant through an opening made in a posterior aspect of a disc space.

Methods and devices for restricting movement of a spinal segment by providing an adjustable constraining device that includes a tether and a compliance member coupled together. The tether is coupled to a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process or a sacrum so that the construct of the compliance member and tethers provides a force resistant to flexion and a force resistant to extension of a spinal segment. In some embodiments, the construct of the compliance member and tethers may provide only a force resistant to extension.

The invention relates to a rat leg motion reconstruction test method based on spinal nerve function electrical stimulation. Corresponded three-dimensional coordinates based on spinal segments are established while rat spinal cord is focused, a tester can find out an electrode implanting position rapidly and accurately, and the success rate of tests is increased; excitation pulses are transmitted to two electrodes inserted into the rat spinal cord alternately, coherent stretching motions of the rat leg can be implemented, and the tester can grasp the process of rat spinal cord electrical stimulation more directly; meanwhile, the electromyographic signals of rat leg muscles can be collected through an electromyographic monitor and are used for comparison and analysis. By the aid of test method, the rat leg stretching motion reconstruction based on the spinal nerve function electrical stimulation can be completed, and important significance is provided for the fields of scientific research and teach; the operating ability of the tester is improved, the tester can grasp complex spinal cord stimulation tests which are difficult to grasp more easily, and the further academic research of the tester can be benefited.

A dynamic hybrid stabilization system having a plurality of affixation elements coupled to a spinal segment having at least two intervertebral spaces, each affixation element having a medially extending connector element. A plurality of dynamic stabilization devices having an adjustable range of motion and being spaced medially from the affixation elements is included, each dynamic stabilization device being coupled to at least one of the connector elements and including an attachment element spanning at least one intervertebral space, such that each dynamic stabilization device and the connector element when coupled together span at least two intervertebral spaces.