Patent ID: 8075596
Filing Date: 2011-12-13
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of implanting a spinal stabilization system into a vertebral motion segment having a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, the method comprising: providing a spinal stabilization system, the spinal stabilization system having an anterior portion and separate first and second posterior portions; the anterior portion having an upper component and a lower component capable of spherical relative movement about an anterior center of rotation, each of the first and second posterior portions having an upper rod portion with an elongated upper articulation surface that is curved along its length and width and a lower rod portion with an elongated lower articulation surface that is curved along its length and width, the elongated upper and lower articulation surfaces articulatingly mating such that the upper and lower rod portions are capable of spherical relative movement about a posterior center of rotation defined by the elongated upper and lower articulation surfaces; inserting the anterior portion into an anterior section of the vertebral motion segment such that the upper component engages the superior vertebra, the lower component engages the inferior vertebra, and the upper and lower components undergo spherical relative movement about a first point defined by the anterior center of rotation; identifying the location of the first point relative to the vertebral motion segment; inserting the first posterior portion into a first posterior section of the vertebral motion segment such that the posterior center of rotation of the first posterior portion is aligned with the first point and such that the elongated upper and lower articulation surfaces of the first posterior portion are a first distance from the first point; fixedly securing the upper rod portion of the first posterior portion to the superior vertebra and fixedly securing the lower rod portion of the first posterior portion to the inferior vertebra such that the posterior center of rotation of the first posterior portion is maintained in alignment with the first point and such that the elongated upper and lower articulation surfaces of the first posterior portion are maintained at the first distance from the first point; inserting the second posterior portion into a second posterior section of the vertebral motion segment such that the posterior center of rotation of the second posterior portion is aligned with the first point and such that the elongated upper and lower articulation surfaces of the second posterior portion are a second distance from the first point, the second distance being greater than the first distance; and fixedly securing the upper rod portion of the second posterior portion to the superior vertebra and fixedly securing the lower rod portion of the second posterior portion to the inferior vertebra such that the posterior center of rotation of the second posterior portion is maintained in alignment with the first point and such that the elongated upper and lower articulation surfaces of the second posterior portion are maintained at the second distance from the first point.