Connecting element for a stabilizing system for a human spine

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining first and second vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship comprises first and second longitudinal members positionable along the spinal column. A first member connects the first and second longitudinal members to the first vertebra and second member connects the first and second longitudinal members to the second vertebra. A connector for interconnecting the first and second longitudinal members extends between the first and second longitudinal members and transverse to the first and second longitudinal members. The connector includes a band defining first and second openings through which the first and second longitudinal members are extendable. The band includes first and second portions movable relatively between a first position in which the first and second band portions clamp the first and second longitudinal members in said first and second openings and a second position in which the first and second band portions are released from clamping the longitudinal members in said first and second openings.

Description: The present invention relates to an apparatus for retaining first and second vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship, comprising first and second longitudinal members positionable along the spinal column, first means for connecting the first and second longitudinal members to the first vertebra, second means for connecting the first and second longitudinal members to the second vertebra and a connector for interconnecting the first and second longitudinal members. A known connector for interconnecting longitudinal members of an apparatus for retaining first and second vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,487,742. U.S. Patent No. 5,487,742 discloses one example of many of such connectors. The document DE-44 34 574 A1 discloses an apparatus for retaining adjacent vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship, comprising first and second longitudinal members positionable along the spinal column as well as means for connecting the first and second longitudinal members to the vertebrae. Thereby, two connectors of different design are provided: A first type of connector comprises two separate portions fixed to each other by means of a screw. The two portions together define openings for receiving the two longitudinal members. The openings have inner walls that are provided with ridges or grooves engaging the threaded surfaces of the two longitudinal members. Thus, that connector is designed as to positively connect to the longitudinal members without any clamping action. A second type of connector comprises a loop-shaped one piece band member encircling the two longitudinal members. The two ends of the band member are interconnected by a clamping device. By actuating the clamping device, one of the longitudinal members can be pulled towards the other longitudinal member. The present invention relates to an apparatus for retaining first and second vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship. The apparatus comprises first and second longitudinal members positionable along the spinal column, first means for connecting the first and second longitudinal members to the first vertebra, second means for connecting the first and second longitudinal members to the second vertebra and a connector for interconnecting the first and second longitudinal members. The connector includes first and second openings through which the first and second longitudinal members are extendable. The first and second openings are defined by a one piece band having first and second portions movable relatively between a first position in which the first and second band portions clamp the first and second longitudinal members in the first and second openings, and a second position in which the first and second band portions are released from clamping the longitudinal members in the first and second openings. The first band portion has a threaded opening and the second band portion has an opening aligned with the threaded opening. The apparatus further includes a fastener for threadably engaging the threaded opening in the first band portion and extending through the opening in the second band portion to move the first and second band portions toward their first positions. In the following, embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention will be further described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a view of a cervical portion of a spinal column with an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention connected to an anterior portion of cervical vertebrae to retain a desired spatial relationship between the cervical vertebrae of the spinal column; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, taken generally along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the parts of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view taken generally along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a view of a cervical portion of a spinal column with a second embodiment of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention connected to an anterior portion of cervical vertebrae to retain a desired spatial relationship between the cervical vertebrae of the spinal column; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken generally along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5. Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention A pair of surgically implantable rods 10 (Fig. 1) for stabilizing a human spinal column C are connected with cervical vertebrae V of the spinal column by plates 12 and 14. The plates 12 and 14 have openings through which the rods 10 extend. Each rod 10 is elongate and has a circular cross-section taken in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the rod. The rod 10 is bendable to conform to a desired curvature of the spinal column C. The rods 10 have sufficient length and rigidity to maintain the vertebrae V in the desired relationship. The rods 10 are made of a biocompatible material such as titanium or stainless steel. Each of the rods 10 has a length which is at least sufficient to enable the rod to span at least two of the cervical vertebrae V. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, the rods 10 span two vertebrae V. Of course, the length of the rods 10 will depend upon the condition to be corrected and the number of vertebrae V to be held in a desired spatial relationship relative to each other by the rods 10. The plate 12 is connected to a vertebra V by fasteners 20. The fasteners 20 also fix the rods 10 relative to the plate 12 to prevent relative movement between the rods 10 and the plate 12. The plate 14 is connected to a vertebra V by fasteners 22. The fasteners 22 permit'relative movement between the plate 14 and the rods 10. Each of the rods 10 terminates in a cap 24 engageable with the plate 14. The caps 24 prevent movement of the plate 14 relative to the rods 10 in a direction away from the plate 12, while allowing movement of the plate 14 in a direction toward the plate 12. Each of the fasteners 20 preferably includes an expander 30 for expanding a head end portion 32 of the fastener 20. The expander 30 expands the head end portion 32 into engagement with a surface defining an opening in the plate 12 through which the fastener 20 extends. The head end portion 32 also expands into engagement with the rod 10 to clamp the rod to the plate 12. Accordingly, the fastener 20 prevents relative movement between the plate 12, the fastener 20 and the rod 10. Although the fastener 20 clamps the rod 10 to the plate 12, the rod may be fixed to the plate in any manner. Each of the fasteners 22 preferably has an expander 34 for expanding a head end portion 36 of the fastener 22. The expander 34 expands the head end portion 36 into engagement with a surface defining an opening in the plate 14 through which the fastener 22 extends. Accordingly, each fastener 22 is prevented from moving relative to the plate 14. However, the plate 14 is movable relative to the rods 10. A one piece band clamp 40 (Figs. 1 and 2) for interconnecting the rods 10 extends between the rods and transverse to the rods. The band 40 is made of a suitable biocompatible material such as titanium or stainless steel. The band 40 circumscribes the rods 10. The band 40 (Figs. 2-4) includes a lower band portion 42, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, and an upper band portion 44 extending generally parallel to each other. The upper and lower band portions 42 and 44 define first and second openings 46 and 48 through which the rods 10 extend. The opening 46 is defined by a first side portion 50 of the lower band portion 42 and a first side portion 52 of the upper band portion 44. The first side portion 50 of the lower portion 42 defining the opening 46 has a threaded opening 54 for threadably receiving a fastener 56. The first side portion 52 of the upper band portion 44 defining the opening 46 has an opening 58 through which the fastener 56 extends. The opening 58 is partially defined by a cylindrical surface 60 which extends parallel to an axis of the opening 58. The opening 58 is also partially defined by a recess 62 in the band 40. The recess 62 and the cylindrical surface 60 define a shoulder 64 in the opening 58 against which a head 66 of the screw 56 engages. The axes of the openings 54 and 58 are offset from each other when the band 40 is in a released condition, as shown in Fig. 3. As the fastener 56 is threaded into the opening 54 and the portions 50, 52 move from their positions shown in Fig. 3 to the positions shown in Fig. 2, the portions pivot around the rod 10 and the axes of the openings 54 and 58 become aligned. The opening 48 is defined by a second side portion 70 of the lower band portion 42 and a second side portion 72 of the upper band portion 44. The first side portion 50 of the lower band portion 42 is integral with the second side portion 70. The first side portion 52 of the upper band portion 44 is integral with the second side portion 72. The second side portion 70 of the lower portion 42 has a threaded opening 74 for threadably receiving a fastener 76. The second side portion 72 defining the opening 48 has an opening 78 through which the fastener 76 extends. The opening 78 is partially defined by a cylindrical surface 80 which extends parallel to an axis of the opening 78. The opening 78 is partially defined by a recess 82 in the portion 72. The cylindrical surface 80 and the recess 82 define a shoulder 84 against which a head 86 of the screw 76 engages. The axes of the openings 74 and 78 are offset from each other when the band 40 is in a released condition as shown in Fig. 3. As the fastener 76 is threaded into the opening 74 and the portions 70, 72 move from the positions shown in Fig. 3 to the positions shown in Fig. 2, the portions 70, 72 pivot around the rod 10 into engagement so that the axes of the openings 74 and 78 are aligned. When the rods 10 are to be connected to the vertebrae V, the rods are placed through the openings in the plates 12 and 14 and through the openings 46 and 48 in the band 40. The inherent resiliency of the band 40 positions portions 50, 52 and 70, 72 so that the rods may be easily positioned in the openings 46 and 48 in the band 40. The plates 12 and 14 are positioned on the vertebrae V and the fasteners 20 and 22 are threaded into the vertebrae to connect the plates 12 and 14 to the vertebrae. The fasteners 56 and 76 are threaded into the openings 54 and 74. Accordingly, the portions 50 and 52 clamp one of the rods 10 in the opening 46 and the portions 70 and 72 clamp the other rod in the opening 48. The band clamp 40 is thus fixedly clamped to the rods 10 and securely interconnects the rods 10. The band 40 may be released from the rods 10 by loosening the fasteners 56, 76. As the fasteners 56, 76 are loosened, the inherent resiliency of the band 40 causes the portions 50, 52 and 70, 72 to release their clamping force on the rods 10. In a second embodiment of the present invention, rods 110 (Fig. 5) for stabilizing a human spinal column C are connected to anterior portions of cervical vertebra V of the spinal column by plates 112 and 114. The plate 112 is connected to a vertebra V by fasteners 120. The fasteners 120 also fix the rods 110 relative to the plate 112 to prevent relative movement between the rods 110 and the plate 112. The plate 112 and the fasteners 120 are identical to the plate 12 and the fasteners 20 described in connection with Fig. 1. Therefore, the plate 112 and the fasteners 120 will not be described in detail. The plate 114 has a body portion 116 and a band portion 118 integral with the body portion. The plate 114 is connected to a vertebra by fasteners 122. The fasteners 122 are identical to the fasteners 22 described in connection with Fig. 1. Therefore, the fasteners 122 will not be described in detail. The plate 114 has a surface 130 for facing the vertebra V. The surface 130 extends along the body portion 116 and the band portion 118. The body portion 116 of the plate 114 is substantially similar to the plate 14 disclosed in Fig. 1, and therefore, will not be described in detail. The band portion 118 of the plate 114 circumscribes the rods 110 and is substantially similar to the band 40 described in connection with Figs. 1-4. Therefore, the band portion 118 will not be described in detail. The band portion 118 has a lower portion 132, as viewed in Fig. 6, and an upper portion 134. The upper and lower portions define first and second openings 136 and 138 for receiving the rods 110. The opening 136 is defined by a first side portion 140 of the lower portion 132 and a first side portion 142 of the upper portion 134. The portion 140 of the lower portion 132 has a threaded opening for receiving a fastener 144. The portion 142 of the upper portion 134 has an opening through which the fastener extends. The fastener 144 threadably engages the opening in the portion 140 of the lower portion 132 to cause the portion 142 of the upper portion 134 to move toward the portion 140 and clamp the rod 110 in the opening 136. The fastener 144 overcomes the inherent resiliency of the band portion 118 to cause the clamping of the rod 100 in the opening 136. The opening 138 is defined by a second side portion 150 of the lower portion 132 and a second side portion 152 of the upper portion 134. The first and second side portions 140 and 150 of the lower portion 132 are integral with the body portion 116 of the plate 114. The first side portion 142 of the upper portion 134 is integral with the second side portion 152. The second side portion 150 of the lower portion 132 has a threaded opening for receiving a fastener 154. The second side portion 152 of the upper portion 134 has an opening through which the fastener 154 extends. The fastener 154 threadably engages the opening in the portion 150 to cause the portion 152 to move toward the portion 150 and clamp the rod 110 in the opening 138. The fastener 154 overcomes the inherent resiliency of the band portion 118 to cause the clamping of the rod 110 in the opening 136. From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims: An apparatus for retaining first and second vertebrae (V) of a spinal column (C) in a desired spatial relationship, said apparatus comprising: first and second longitudinal members (10a, 10b) positionable along the spinal column (C); first means (12) for connecting said first and second longitudinal members (10a, 10b) to the first vertebra (V); second means (14) for connecting said first and second longitudinal members (10a, 10b) to the second vertebra (V); and a connector (40) for interconnecting said first and second longitudinal members (10a, 10b); said connector (40) including first and second openings (46, 48) through which said first and second longitudinal members (10a, 10b) are extendable, said first and second openings (46, 48) being defined by a one piece band (40) having first and second portions (42, 44) movable relatively between a first position in which said first and second band portions (42, 44) clamp the first and second longitudinal members (10a, 10b) in said first and second openings (46, 48) and a second position in which said first and second band portions (42, 44) are released from clamping said longitudinal members (10a, 10b) in said first and second openings (46, 48), characterized in that said first band portion (42) has a threaded opening (54) and said second band portion (44) has an opening (58) aligned with said threaded opening (54), said apparatus further including a fastener (56) for threadably engaging said threaded opening (54) in said first band portion (42) and extending through said opening (58) in said second band portion (44) to move said first and second band portions (42, 44) toward their first positions. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said first band portion (42) engages said second band portion (44) when said first and second band portions (42, 44) are in their first positions. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said first means for connecting said first and second longitudinal members (110a, 110b) to the first vertebra (V) includes a member (114) having an opening for receiving a fastener (122) to connect said member (114) to the first bone portion, said member (114) being connectable with said first and second longitudinal members (110a, 110b), said first band portion (118) being integral with said member (114). An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that said band portion (118) encircles said first and second longitudinal members (110). An apparatus as set forth in claim 1,, characterized in that said first means for connecting includes a first plate (12) having openings through which said longitudinal members (10a, 10b) are extendable, and said second means for connecting includes a second plate (14) having openings through which said longitudinal members (10a, 10b) are also extendable. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a second fastener (76) for threadably engaging a second threaded opening (74) defined in said first band portion (42) and extending through a second opening (78) defined in said second band portion (44) to move said first and second band portions (42, 44) toward their first positions, said second threaded opening (74) defined in said first band portion (42) being aligned with said second opening (78 defined in said second band portion (44). An apparatus as set forth in claims 1 and 6, characterized in that said openings (58, 78) of said second band portion (44) are free of threads. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said first band portion (42) contacts said second band portion (44) at a location interposed between said first longitudinal member (10a) and said second longitudinal member (10b) when said first and second band portions (42, 44) are positioned at their first position. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said fastener (56) is positioned at a location interposed between said first longitudinal member (10a) and said second longitudinal member (10b) when said first and second band portions (42, 44) are positioned at their first position. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said threaded opening (54) of said first band portion (42) and said opening (58) of said second band portion (44) are both positioned between said first longitudinal member (10a) and said second longitudinal member (10b) when said first and second band portions (42, 44) are positioned at their first position. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, characterized in that said fastener (56) is positioned at a location interposed between said first longitudinal member (10a) and said second longitudinal member (10b) when said first and second band portions (42, 44) are positioned at their first position.

Inventors: BENZEL EDWARD C, DINELLO ALEX, SMITH AARON C, WEFERS MICHAEL H, YUAN HANSEN A, BENZEL, EDWARD C., DINELLO, ALEX, SMITH, AARON C., WEFERS, MICHAEL H., YUAN, HANSEN A.
Applicants: DEPUY ACROMED INC, DEPUY ACROMED, INC.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A61B17
IPC codes: A61B17