Surgery – Instruments – Orthopedic instrumentation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-24
2001-02-27
Philogene, Pedro (Department: 3732)
Surgery
Instruments
Orthopedic instrumentation
C606S064000, C606S075000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193720
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for use in retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship. The present invention is particularly adapted for use in retaining cervical vertebrae of a human spinal column in a desired spatial relationship.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are various known apparatus for retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship. Certain of such known apparatus include rods connected to and extending between vertebrae and certain of such known apparatus include plates connected to and extending between vertebrae.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for retaining first and second vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship. The apparatus comprises a pair of longitudinal members positionable along the spinal column. A first plate is connectable to the first vertebra and interconnects the pair of longitudinal members. First fastener means is engageable with the first plate for connecting the first plate to the first vertebra. The first fastener means has a threaded end portion for engaging the first vertebra. A second plate is connectable to the second vertebra and interconnects the longitudinal members. Second fastener means is engageable with the second plate for connecting the second plate to the second vertebra. The second fastener means has a threaded end portion for engaging the second vertebra. The apparatus is implantable in the body so that, after implantation, the apparatus is entirely within the body.
In accordance with one feature of the present invention, the first and second vertebrae are cervical vertebrae. The first plate has an inner side surface for facing an anterior surface of the first cervical vertebra. The second plate has an inner side surface for facing an anterior surface of the second cervical vertebra.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the apparatus includes means for blocking movement of the first plate, which is the lower plate, relative to the longitudinal members. The second plate, which is higher on the spine than the first plate, is movable relative to the longitudinal members along longitudinal axes of the longitudinal members. Since the second plate is movable relative to the longitudinal members, the second vertebra to which the plate is connected is movable relative to the longitudinal members. Thus, bone graft located adjacent the second vertebra carries a load as the bone and bone graft grow together.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the apparatus includes means for blocking movement of both the first plate and the second plate relative to the longitudinal members.
The present invention is also a method of retaining first and second vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship. The method comprises the steps of providing a pair of longitudinal members; interconnecting the longitudinal members with a first plate and a second plate; positioning the first plate on the first vertebra with an inner side surface of the first plate facing an anterior surface of the first vertebra while the first plate interconnects the pair of longitudinal members; and positioning the second plate on the second vertebra with an inner side surface of the second plate facing an anterior surface of the second vertebra while the first plate interconnects the pair of longitudinal members. The method also includes the steps of connecting the first plate to the first vertebra by engaging the first plate with a first fastener and threading an end portion of the first fastener into the first vertebra, and connecting the second plate to the second vertebra by engaging the second plate with a second fastener and threading an end portion of the second fastener into the second vertebra.
The present invention is also a method of retaining first and second vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship. The method comprises the steps of positioning a first plate on a first vertebra with an inner side surface of the first plate facing a surface of the first vertebra; positioning a second plate on the second vertebra with an inner side surface of the second plate facing a surface of the second vertebra; and providing a pair of longitudinal members extending between the first and second plates and extending along the spinal column. The method also includes the steps of connecting the first plate to the first vertebra by engaging the first plate with first fastener means and threading an end portion of the first fastener means into the first vertebra; connecting the second plate to the second vertebra by engaging the second plate with second fastener means and threading an end portion of the second fastener means into the second vertebra; and enabling one of the first and second plates to move along the spinal column relative to the pair of longitudinal members and relative to the other one of the first and second plates.
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Benzel Edward C.
Dinello Alex
Smith Aaron C.
Wefers Michael H.
Yuan Hansen A.
DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.
Philogene Pedro
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