Patent ID: 6821277
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A method of repositioning or fixing one or more unstable, separated or displaced vertebrae or one or more portions of one or more vertebrae in a patient's vertebral column, the method comprising:(a) identifying a patient who is a suitable candidate for undergoing the method; (b) making a stab incision in the patient's skin overlying the patient's vertebral column at or near the level of the vertebrae or portion of vertebrae to be repositioned or fixed; (c) creating a first tract from the incision to the posterior periosteal surface of the vertebrae; (d) incising the periosteum and extending the first tract into the cortex of the vertebrae; (e) inserting a first guidewire into the first tract; (f) advancing a bone screw comprising a portal and a tip, and screwdriver over the first guidewire; (g) applying torque to the bone screw using the screwdriver, thereby fixing part of the tip of the bone screw into the vertebrae while the portal of the bone screw is exterior and dorsal to the vertebrae and the portal is open parallel to the long axis of the vertebrae column; (h) removing the screwdriver and the first guidewire; (i) repeating (c) through (h) for at least one vertebrae which is neither unstable, separated or displaced and which is adjacent to the vertebrae or portion of the vertebrae that is being repositioned or fixed, or repeating (c) through (h) for the cranial-ward portion of the sacrum of the patient; (j) inserting an inflatable connection rod comprising a proximal end, a distal end and an inflatable balloon between the proximal end and the distal end, between the portals of the bone screws; and (k) inflating the inflatable balloon thereby creating a rigid structure between the inflated inflatable connection rod and the bone screws; thereby repositioning or fixing the one or more unstable, separated or displaced vertebrae or the one or more portions of one or more vertebrae unilaterally.