Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Implantable prosthesis – Bone
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-19
2003-11-25
O'Connor, Cary E. (Department: 3732)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Implantable prosthesis
Bone
C606S029000, C606S075000, C606S076000, C606S077000, C623S017120, C623S023540, C623S013200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06652585
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to orthopedic implants, and more particularly, to flexible spinal stabilization systems.
Interbody fusion device, artificial discs, interbody spacers and other devices have been inserted in a spinal disc space or engaged to a vertebral body. For example, as shown in
FIG. 1
, a pair of interbody fusion devices I
1
and I
2
are inserted into an intradiscal space between the L
5
and S
1
levels of the spinal column. Aorta A
1
and vena cava A
2
along with other tissue and vasculature also extend along the anterior aspect of the spinal column. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the anterior longitudinal ligament AL extends along the anterior portion of the disc space. The disc space is surrounded by annulus fibrosus or annulus fibers AF. Insertion of implants I
1
and I
2
into the disc space can be facilitated by the removal of all or a portion of the anterior longitudinal ligament AL and the annulus fibers AF.
In order to stabilize the spinal column, it is known to secure a rigid metal construct to each of the vertebral bodies on either side of the spinal disc space after inserting devices or performing surgical procedures in the disc space or on the vertebral bodies. For example, a rigid metal plate can be placed along the anterior aspect of the vertebrae and secured to the L
5
and S
1
levels after insertion of implants I
1
and I
2
into the disc space therebetween. In another example, a rigid rod or plate can be secured to the posterior portions of vertebrae V
1
and V
2
after anterior insertion of implants I
1
and I
2
.
While rigid metal constructs provide adequate load resistance, there can be drawbacks, such as the intrusion of the construct into the adjacent tissue and vasculature, stress shielding, multiple surgeries for installation, and fatigue. What are needed are systems that do not require posterior hardware to support the spinal column or rigid anterior, antero-lateral, or lateral plates and constructs. The systems should be resistant to fatigue, stress shielding and tensile and rotational loads that are typically applied to the spinal column. The present invention is directed toward meeting these needs, among others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to spine stabilization systems that are flexible and include components that replicate, substitute and/or augment the natural fiber orientation of the anterior longitudinal ligament and annulus tissue. The components resist loading applied by extension and rotation of the spine, while the flexibility of the components does not subject them to the compressive loading of the spinal column segment to which it is secured.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3463158 (1969-08-01), Schmitt et al.
patent: 3710789 (1973-01-01), Ersek
patent: 4570623 (1986-02-01), Ellison et al.
patent: 4610688 (1986-09-01), Silvestrini et al.
patent: 4665951 (1987-05-01), Ellis
patent: 4728329 (1988-03-01), Mansat
patent: 4743260 (1988-05-01), Burton
patent: 4755183 (1988-07-01), Kenna
patent: 4772287 (1988-09-01), Ray et al.
patent: 4820305 (1989-04-01), Harms et al.
patent: 4834755 (1989-05-01), Silvestrini et al.
patent: 4883486 (1989-11-01), Kapadia et al.
patent: 4904260 (1990-02-01), Ray et al.
patent: 4917700 (1990-04-01), Aikins
patent: 4955911 (1990-09-01), Frey et al.
patent: 5011484 (1991-04-01), Bréard
patent: 5084051 (1992-01-01), Törmälä{umlaut over ( )}et al.
patent: 5102421 (1992-04-01), Anspach, Jr.
patent: 5108395 (1992-04-01), Laurain
patent: 5156616 (1992-10-01), Meadows et al.
patent: 5157111 (1992-10-01), Pachence
patent: 5171273 (1992-12-01), Silver et al.
patent: 5180393 (1993-01-01), Commarmond
patent: 5222987 (1993-06-01), Jones
patent: 5344421 (1994-09-01), Crook
patent: 5346492 (1994-09-01), Morgan
patent: 5376188 (1994-12-01), Tahara et al.
patent: 5380328 (1995-01-01), Morgan
patent: 5397359 (1995-03-01), Mittelmeier et al.
patent: 5443483 (1995-08-01), Kirsch
patent: 5456722 (1995-10-01), McLeod et al.
patent: 5496372 (1996-03-01), Hamamoto et al.
patent: 5527311 (1996-06-01), Procter et al.
patent: 5540964 (1996-07-01), Mallen
patent: 5549679 (1996-08-01), Kuslich
patent: 5609634 (1997-03-01), Voydeville
patent: 5634944 (1997-06-01), Magram
patent: 5674295 (1997-10-01), Ray et al.
patent: 5681310 (1997-10-01), Yuan et al.
patent: 5711960 (1998-01-01), Shikinami
patent: 5721049 (1998-02-01), Marcolongo et al.
patent: 5824093 (1998-10-01), Ray et al.
patent: 5906828 (1999-05-01), Cima et al.
patent: 6022376 (2000-02-01), Assell et al.
patent: 6031148 (2000-02-01), Hayes et al.
patent: 6045554 (2000-04-01), Grooms et al.
patent: 6077076 (2000-06-01), Comfort
patent: 6093205 (2000-07-01), McLeod et al.
patent: 6113640 (2000-09-01), Törmäläet al.
patent: 6121172 (2000-09-01), Marcolongo et al.
patent: 6143036 (2000-11-01), Comfort
patent: 6162537 (2000-12-01), Martin et al.
patent: 6332894 (2001-12-01), Stalcup et al.
patent: 2002/0123750 (2002-09-01), Eisermann et al.
patent: 0304305 (1989-02-01), None
patent: 0353936 (1990-02-01), None
patent: WO 98/55053 (1998-12-01), None
patent: WO 99/47082 (1999-09-01), None
patent: 99/62439 (1999-12-01), None
patent: WO 00/59388 (2000-10-01), None
Melson Candice C.
O'Connor Cary E.
SDGI Holdings Inc.
Woodard Emhardt Moriarty McNett & Henry LLP
LandOfFree
Flexible spine stabilization system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Flexible spine stabilization system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Flexible spine stabilization system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3127351