Patent ID: 9295497
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. An orthopedic device comprising: a patient-specific alignment guide configured for a first vertebra of a spinal column of a specific patient, the alignment guide including a U-shaped guide body having first and second legs joined at a distal portion, the distal portion having a patient-specific surface preoperatively configured to mate with a corresponding surface of a spinous process of the first vertebra, the first and second legs having corresponding first and second hooks configured to mate with corresponding portions of first and second transverse processes of the first vertebra, wherein the first and second legs define an opening configured to provide clearance for a spinous process of a second vertebra that is adjacent and superior to the first vertebra, the opening being on an opposite side of the distal portion as the patient-specific surface preoperatively configured to mate with the corresponding surface of the spinous process of the first vertebra; and a bridge separate from the distal portion, wherein the bridge traverses the opening and connects the first and second legs at a location spaced from the distal portion.