Patent ID: 8414614
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An implant kit for supporting a spinal column, which comprises: a. at least first and second support elements for fixation to vertebrae of a spinal column, extending generally along the spinal column between spaced apart vertebrae, b. a plurality of fixation devices for (i) fixing the support elements to one another in an end-to-end arrangement and (ii) fixing the support elements to the vertebrae, wherein the material of the first support element is different from the material of the second support element, and the first support element is formed from a metal which exhibits thermally initiated shape memory properties and the second support element is formed from a metal which does not exhibit thermally initiated shape memory properties, the metal of the first support element having an A f temperature between about 20° C. and about 32° C. such that the metal of the first support element may be cooled to a martensitic state, bended to conform to the spinal column in a pre-corrected state, and heated to an austenitic state to apply a corrective force to the spinal column.