Patent ID: 6565568
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for manipulating the vertebrae and sacrum in the treatment of spondylolisthesis comprising the steps of:providing link members adapted to be permanently affixed to the sacrum and the vertebrae; affixing at least one link member to the sacrum; affixing at least one link member to at least one vertebrae, where said at least one link member affixed to the sacrum is adapted to be rigidly joined to said at least one link member affixed to the vertebrae; providing a jack device adapted to be temporarily connected to said link members whereby manipulation of said jack device is transferred through said link members to reposition said sacrum relative to said vertebrae, said jack device having a pair of outrigger members pivotally joined to a levering member, where the step of temporarily connecting said jack device to said link members is accomplished by connecting said outrigger members to said link members, and where the step of manipulating said jack device is accomplished by moving said levering member relative to said outrigger members, and further where said levering member is adapted to be joined to said outrigger members at various locations to vary the angular and linear relationship between said levering member and said outrigger members, and where the step of temporarily connecting said jack device to said link members is accomplished by first connecting said outrigger members to said link members and then connecting said levering member to said outrigger members in the desired angular and linear relationship; temporarily connecting said jack device to said link members; manipulating said jack device to reposition said sacrum and said at least one vertebrae such that said at least one link member affixed to said sacrum is aligned with said at least one link member affixed to said vertebrae in a manner which allows said link members to be joined; joining said link members in a rigid and fixed manner; and removing said jack device from said link members.