Surgery – Instruments – Orthopedic instrumentation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-29
2001-03-27
Hirsch, Paul J. (Department: 3732)
Surgery
Instruments
Orthopedic instrumentation
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206882
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
1. Field of the Disclosure
The subject disclosure relates to implantable spinal stabilization systems for surgical treatment of spinal disorders, and more particularly, to a plating system for use in the treatment of the lumbar and thoracic spine.
2. Background of the Related Art
The spinal column is a complex system of bones and connective tissue which protects critical elements of the nervous system. Despite these complexities, the spine is a highly flexible structure, capable of a high degree of curvature and twist through a wide range of motion. Trauma or developmental irregularities can result is spinal pathologies which limit this range of motion.
The use of fixation plates for the treatment of spinal disorders has grown considerably over the years. Fixation plates are commonly employed to maintain spinal elements such as vertebrae in a desired spatial relationship to aid in healing or the correction of a spinal disorder. Examples of prior art spinal fixation plates are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,290 to Steffee; U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,751 to Farris et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,910 to Warden et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,176 to Hildebrandt et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,553 to Trebling et al.
In general, prior art fixation plates such as these, have a rigid inflexible construction which is difficult to conform to the anterior surfaces of the vertebrae which form the spinal column. Thus, it is often necessary for a surgeon to bend or contort a plate to conform to the anterior surfaces of the vertebrae during a surgical procedure. This adds to the duration and complexity of the procedure.
It would be desirable to provide a spinal fixation plate that has a higher degree of flexibility than spinal fixation plates found in the prior art, so as to enable a surgeon to easily conform the plate to the anterior surfaces of the spinal vertebrae during a surgical procedure, thereby reducing the duration and complexity of the procedure.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The subject disclosure is directed to a unique plating system for anterior fixation on the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae of the spine. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject disclosure, the plating system includes an elongated bone plate having a central longitudinal axis and a predetermined thickness. The bone plate is defined by opposed first and second end portions, opposed top and bottom surfaces and an outer periphery. The outer periphery of the bone plate is defined in part by opposed first and second lateral edges. At least one flexure slot extends inwardly from the first lateral edge of the bone plate, and at least one flexure slot extends inwardly from the second lateral edge of the bone plate. The flexure slots terminate at locations spaced from one another, such as, for example, substantially along the longitudinal axis of the bone plate.
Preferably, each flexure slot extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bone plate. However, a bone plate is disclosed wherein each flexure slot extends at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bone plate. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the angle of the flexure slots could vary depending upon the desired characteristics of the bone plate. For example, bone plates mat be provided wherein the flexure slots extend at 30° angles, 45° angles, or 60° angles.
The number of flexure slots provided in the bone plate can also vary in accordance with the subject disclosure. In one preferred embodiment of the subject disclosure, at least three flexure slots extend inwardly from the first lateral edge of the bone plate, and at least three flexure slots extend inwardly from the second lateral edge of the bone plate. Preferably, each flexure slot extends through the entire thickness of the bone plate from the top surface thereof to the bottom surface thereof, and terminates in a rounded surface configured to reduce stress concentrations. Each flexure slot preferably has a substantially similar length with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bone plate. However, a bone plate is disclosed wherein the flexure slots are of varying length with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bone plate so as to achieve a desired degree of elasticity.
In accordance with the subject disclosure, each end portion of the bone plate has at least one bore extending therethrough for receiving a bone fastener configured to secure the bone plate to vertebrae along the length of the spine. In accordance with the subject disclosure a bone screw is secured within a bore of the bone plate in one of two ways. A bone screw may be secured within the bore of the plate by a threaded locking nut or by compressible locking washer. Preferably, each bore is countersunk so as to cooperate with either a locking nut or a locking washer.
These and other unique features of the plating system disclosed herein and the method of installing the same will become more readily apparent from the following description of the drawings.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5261910 (1993-11-01), Warden et al.
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patent: 5344421 (1994-09-01), Crook
patent: 5346492 (1994-09-01), Morgan
patent: 5364399 (1994-11-01), Lowery et al.
patent: 5486176 (1996-01-01), Hildebrand et al.
patent: 5601553 (1997-02-01), Trebing et al.
patent: 5730743 (1998-03-01), Kirsch et al.
patent: 5743913 (1998-04-01), Wellisz
patent: 5766175 (1998-06-01), Martinotti
Hirsch Paul J.
Surgical Dynamics Inc.
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