US6802844B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spinal alignment apparatus and methods
Assignee: SPINE PARTNERS LLC
•
Filing: 2002-03-25
•
Granted: 2004-10-12
•
Expires: 2022-03-25
Abstract
Abstract Spinal alignment apparatus includes bodies which connect to vertebra to be aligned, and elongated elements that connect to the bodies. The elements are adjustable relative to the bodies in multiple dimensions, with locking mechanisms that allow the alignment to proceed in an orderly fashion until a desired degree of correction is achieved. Each elongated element has a shaped end terminating in the first portion of the lockable coupling mechanism. The vertebral connector bodies each include a feature for attaching the body to a respective vertebrae, and the second portion of the lockable coupling mechanism. The feature for attaching the body to a respective vertebrae may include a pedicle screw or, alternatively, a shape such as a hook adapted for sublaminar engagement. The elongated element also preferably includes a length adjustment mechanism, such as a telescoping or threaded section to provide a desired length in conjunction with a desired degree of alignment. Various coupling mechanisms are disclosed to provide multiple degrees of freedom prior to fixation.
Inventors
- 👤 Bret A. Ferree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/70; A61B17/7049; A61B17/705; A61B17/7001; A61B17/7002; A61B17/7004; A61B17/7005; A61B17/7014; A61B17/7052; A61B17/701; A61B17/7011; A61B17/7019; A61B17/7022; A61B17/7025; A61B17/7053; A61B2017/7073
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A spinal alignment system, comprising: a rigid elongated element having a first shaped end and a second shaped end, said elongated element dimensioned to span between a first vertebra and a second vertebra; a first connecter having a lower portion configured for spinal engagement into said first vertebra, and an upper portion configured to receive said first shaped end of said elongated element such that said elongated element is temporarily angularly movable relative to said first connector; a second connecter having a lower portion configured for spinal engagement into said second vertebra, and an upper portion configured to receive said second shaped end of said elongated element; a first fastener for locking said first shaped end of said elongated element into position relative to said first connector once a desired angular relationship is established between said elongated element and said first connecter; and a second fastener for locking said second shaped end of said elongated element into position relative to said second connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A spinal alignment system, comprising: a rigid elongated element having a first shaped end and a second shaped end, said elongated element dimensioned to span between a first vertebra and a second vertebra; a first connecter having a lower portion configured for spinal engagement into said first vertebra, and an upper portion configured to receive said first shaped end of said elongated element such that said elongated element is temporarily angularly movable relative to said first connector; a second connecter having a lower portion configured for spinal engagement into said second vertebra, and an upper portion configured to receive said second shaped end of said elongated element; a first fastener for locking said first shaped end of said elongated element into position relative to said first connector once a desired angular relationship is established between said elongated element and said first connecter; and a second fastener for locking said second shaped end of said elongated element into position relative to said second connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , wherein said lower portion of at least one of said first connector and said second connector comprises a pedicle screw.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , wherein said lower portion of at least one of said first connector and said second connector comprises a subliminar hook.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second fasteners comprise a threaded compression fastener.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , including a first tension band configured to be positioned around the upper portion of said first connector, and a second tension band configured to be positioned around said upper portion of said second connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , further including a strap engagement feature associated with at least one of said first and second connectors, enabling a cable tie to be placed around said engagement feature and said elongated element such that said cable tie may be tightened to thereby pull said elongated element into engagement with said upper portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , wherein said upper portion and said lower portion of at least one of said first and second connectors are formed as a unitary article such that said upper and lower portions are fixed relative to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , wherein said upper portion and said lower portion of at least one of said first and second connectors are formed as separate articles coupled together such that said upper and lower portions are angularly movable relative to one another prior to being locked in position by at least one of said first and second fasteners.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , wherein said elongated element includes a rod portion extending between said first and second shaped ends, said rod portion having cross section which is at least one of a circle, a regular polygon, and a hexagon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , wherein said first and second vertebrae are at adjacent vertebral levels within the spine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , wherein said first and second vertebrae are not at adjacent vertebral levels within the spine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second shaped ends of said elongate element comprises an at least partially spherical end, and wherein said respective upper portion includes a partially spherical receiving area to receive said at least partially spherical end, and at least one side opening through which said elongated element extends.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 12 , further including half spherical caps coupled to said at least partially spherical ends of said elongated element, thereby forming ball-shaped ends to be received within said upper portions of said first and second connectors body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , wherein said shaped end of said elongated element has a generally circular cross section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 14 , wherein said 1001 shaped ends comprises flat disks capable of being stacked onto one another such that multiple elongated elements may be coupled to and extend from at least one of the first and second connectors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , wherein said elongated element further includes a length-adjustment mechanism.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 16 , wherein said length-adjustment mechanism is telescoping.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 16 , wherein said length-adjustment mechanism includes a turnbuckle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 1 , wherein said elongated element includes a first sub-element and a second sub-element, each having ends that terminate in half spheres such that said half spheres may, be mated to form a single spherical joint.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 19 , further including a feature to maintain the spherical shape of said joint as said first and second sub-elements are angled relative to one another.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 19 , wherein said half spherical ends of said first and second sub-elements each include a flat surface such that said first and second sub-elements mate by positioning said flat surface of said first sub-element against said flat surface of said second sub-element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 21 , wherein each of said first and second sub-elements defines an axis, and said flat surface is not perpendicular to said axis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
71 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 19 , wherein said single spherical joint may be coupled a third connector having a lower portion configured for spinal engagement into a third vertebra disposed between said first and second vertebra, and an upper portion configured to receive said single spherical joint of said elongate element, wherein said upper portion has opposing side openings through which said first sub-element and said second sub-element extend.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
63 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 23 , wherein said first sub-element and said second sub-element may be angled relative to one another while maintaining said single spherical joint, such that a third fastener may be used to lock said single spherical joint into position to achieve a desired angular relationship between each of said first and second sub-elements and said third connector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 23 , wherein said third vertebra and at least one of said first and second vertebrae are at adjacent vertebral levels within the spine.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
163 words
A spinal alignment system, comprising: a rigid elongated element having a first shaped end and a rod portion, said elongated element dimensioned to span between a first vertebra and a second vertebra; a first bone engagement member configured for spinal engagement into said first vertebra, said first bone engagement member having an first upper body portion dimensioned to receive said first shaped end of said elongated element such that said elongated element is temporarily angularly movable relative to said first upper body portion; a second bone engagement member configured for spinal engagement into said second vertebra, said second bone engagement member having an second upper body portion dimensioned to receive said rod portion of said elongated element; a first fastener for locking said first shaped end of said elongated element within said first upper body portion once a desired angular relationship is established therebetween; and a second fastener for locking said rod portion of said elongated element within said second upper body portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
163 words
A spinal alignment system, comprising: a rigid elongated element having a first shaped end and a rod portion, said elongated element dimensioned to span between a first vertebra and a second vertebra; a first bone engagement member configured for spinal engagement into said first vertebra, said first bone engagement member having an first upper body portion dimensioned to receive said first shaped end of said elongated element such that said elongated element is temporarily angularly movable relative to said first upper body portion; a second bone engagement member configured for spinal engagement into said second vertebra, said second bone engagement member having an second upper body portion dimensioned to receive said rod portion of said elongated element; a first fastener for locking said first shaped end of said elongated element within said first upper body portion once a desired angular relationship is established therebetween; and a second fastener for locking said rod portion of said elongated element within said second upper body portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 and further, wherein said first bone engagement member and said first upper body portion are separate articles coupled together to be angularly moveable with respect to one another prior to being locked by said first fastener.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 and further, wherein said second bone engagement member and said second upper body portion are separate articles coupled together to be angularly moveable with respect to one another prior to being locked by said second fastener.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 , and further, wherein said first bone engagement member and said first upper body portion comprise a unitary article such that said first bone engagement member and said first upper body portion are not angularly moveable with respect to one another.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 , and further, wherein said second bone engagement member and said second upper body portion comprise a unitary article such that said second bone engagement member and said second upper body portion are not angularly moveable with respect to one another.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 and further, wherein said rod portion of said elongated element has a cross section which is at least one of a circle, a regular polygon, and a hexagon.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 and further, wherein said first shaped end has a generally circular cross section.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 and further, wherein said first shaped end comprises at least a partial spherical shape.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 and further, wherein said first shaped end comprises a flat disk.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 and further, wherein said first upper body portion is also configured to receive said rod portion of said elongated element.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 and further, wherein said second upper body portion is also configured to receive said first shaped end of said elongated element.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 , wherein said first and second vertebrae are at adjacent vertebral levels within the spine.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 , and further, wherein said first and second vertebrae are not at adjacent vertebral levels within the spine.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 and further, wherein said at least one of said first and second bone engagement members comprises a pedicle screw.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 and further, wherein said at least one of said first and second bone engagement members comprises a sublaminar hook.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 and further, wherein said elongated element includes a second shaped end opposite said first shaped end.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 41 and further, wherein said second shaped end is dimensioned to be received within said second upper body portion.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
44 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 26 and further, wherein said elongated element comprises a first sub-element having a first engagement surface, and a second sub-element having a second engagement surface, said first and second engagement surfaces mating to form a single spherical joint.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
57 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 43 and further, comprising a third bone engagement member configured for spinal engagement into a third vertebra located between said first and second vertebrae, and including an upper body portion dimensioned to receive said single spherical joint formed by the mating of said first and second sub-elements of said elongated element.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 43 , wherein said first and second engagement surfaces are flat.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
50 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 43 , wherein said first and second flat engagement surfaces are angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the first and second sub-elements, respectively, such that the first and second sub-elements may be angled relative to one another while maintaining said single spherical joint.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
185 words
A spinal alignment system, comprising: a rigid elongated element having a first shaped end, a second shaped end, and a rod portion, said elongated element dimensioned to span between a first vertebra and a second vertebra; a first bone engagement member configured for spinal engagement into said first vertebra, said first bone engagement member having an first upper body portion dimensioned to receive said first shaped end of said elongated element such that said elongated element is temporarily angularly movable relative to said first upper body portion; a second bone engagement member configured for spinal engagement into said second vertebra, said second bone engagement member having an second upper body portion dimensioned to receive at least one of said rod portion and said second shaped end of said elongated element; a first fastener for locking said first shaped end of said elongated element within said first upper body portion once a desired angular relationship is establish therebetween; and a second fastener for locking at least one of said rod portion and said second shaped end of said elongated element within said second upper body portion.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
185 words
A spinal alignment system, comprising: a rigid elongated element having a first shaped end, a second shaped end, and a rod portion, said elongated element dimensioned to span between a first vertebra and a second vertebra; a first bone engagement member configured for spinal engagement into said first vertebra, said first bone engagement member having an first upper body portion dimensioned to receive said first shaped end of said elongated element such that said elongated element is temporarily angularly movable relative to said first upper body portion; a second bone engagement member configured for spinal engagement into said second vertebra, said second bone engagement member having an second upper body portion dimensioned to receive at least one of said rod portion and said second shaped end of said elongated element; a first fastener for locking said first shaped end of said elongated element within said first upper body portion once a desired angular relationship is establish therebetween; and a second fastener for locking at least one of said rod portion and said second shaped end of said elongated element within said second upper body portion.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
43 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 and further, wherein said first bone engagement member and said first upper body portion are separate articles coupled together to be angularly moveable with respect to one another prior to being locked by said first fastener.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
43 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 and further, wherein said second bone engagement member and said second upper body portion are separate articles coupled together to be angularly moveable with respect to one another prior to being locked by said second fastener.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
47 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 and further, wherein said first bone engagement member and said first upper body portion comprise a unitary article such that said first bone engagement member and said first upper body portion are not angularly moveable with respect to one another.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
47 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 and further, wherein said second bone engagement member and said second upper body portion comprise a unitary article such that said second bone engagement member and said second upper body portion are not angularly moveable with respect to one another.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
35 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 and further, wherein said rod portion of said elongated element has a cross section which is at least on of a circle, a regular polygon, and a hexagon.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
27 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 , and further, wherein at least one of said first and second shaped end has a generally circular cross section.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 , and further, wherein at least one of said first and second shaped end comprises at least a partial spherical shape.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 , and further, wherein at least one of said first and second shaped end comprises a flat disk.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 , and further, wherein said first upper body portion is also configured to receive said rod portion of said elongated element.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 , wherein said first and second vertebrae are at adjacent vertebral levels within the spine.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
24 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 and further, wherein said first and second vertebrae are not at adjacent vertebral levels within the spine.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
26 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 and further, wherein said at least one of said first and second bone engagement members comprises a pedicle screw.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 and further, wherein said at least one of said first and second bone engagement members comprises a sublaminar hook.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
44 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 47 and further, wherein said elongated element comprises a first element having a first engagement surface, and a second element having a second engagement surface, said first and second engagement surfaces mating to form a single spherical joint.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
57 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 61 and further, comprising a third bone engagement member configured for spinal engagement into a third vertebra located between said first and second vertebrae, and including an upper body portion dimensioned to receive said single spherical joint formed by the mating of said first and second elements of said elongated element.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 61 , wherein said first and second engagement surfaces are flat.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
50 words
The spinal alignment system of claim 61 , wherein said first and second flat engagement surfaces are angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the first and second elements, respectively, such that the first and second elements may be angled relative to one another while maintaining said single spherical joint.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-10-12 | 2008-04-12 | 2008-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-10-12 | 2012-04-12 | 2012-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-10-12 | 2016-04-12 | 2016-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |