Abstract:
A spinal column fixation device includes a support member, a top seat fastened at the top end with the support member, and a bottom seat fastened at the bottom end with the support member. The top seat and the support member are fastened by an angle adjusting mechanism such that the angle between the top seat and the support member is adjustable. The bottom seat and the support member are fastened by an angle adjusting mechanism such that the angle between the bottom seat and the support member is adjustable.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a device for fixing a deformed or diseased spine, and more particularly to a spine fixation device adjustable in angle in relation to curvature of the spine.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    As illustrated in FIGS. 1 a - 1   c , the conventional backbone fixation device can not be adjusted in angle in relation to curvature of the backbone. In light of this deficiency, the conventional backbone fixation device is not adapted for use in the intervertebral fixation surgery. If the conventional backbone fixation device is used forcibly to fix the spinal segments under treatment, it is very likely that an improper fixation is resulted from such forcible use of the device.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a spinal column fixation device which is adjustable in angle.  
           [0004]    It is another objective of the present invention to provide a spinal column fixation device which has an angle adjusting mechanism.  
           [0005]    It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a spinal column fixation device which has an angle adjusting mechanism and a height adjusting mechanism.  
           [0006]    The spinal column fixation device of the present invention comprises:  
           [0007]    a support member;  
           [0008]    a top seat joined with a top end of said support member; and  
           [0009]    a bottom seat joined with a bottom end of said support member;  
           [0010]    wherein said top seat and/or said bottom seat are joined to said support member with an angle adjusting mechanism, so that said top seat and/or said bottom seat can be fixedly joined with said support member in various angles formed between said support member and said top seat and/or said bottom seat.  
           [0011]    Preferably, said support member has a height adjusting mechanism.  
           [0012]    Preferably, said height adjusting mechanism is formed of an upper support body, a lower support body, and an adjustment ring; wherein said lower support body is fastened with said adjustment ring, and said upper support body is threadably received in said adjustment ring, so as to attain the function of height adjustment.  
           [0013]    Preferably, said top seat and said bottom seat are independently joined to said support member with an angle adjusting mechanism.  
           [0014]    Preferably, said angle adjusting mechanism comprises a serrated recessed curved surface and a serrated protruded curved surface, provided that one is formed on said support member and another one is formed on said top seat or said bottom seat; and a pivotally fastening means, wherein said pivotally fastening means fastens said top seat or said bottom seat to said support member with said serrated recessed curved surface and said serrated protruded curved surface being engaged with each other.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 1 a - 1   c  are schematic views of a backbone fixation device of the prior art.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in combination.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 4 a ,  4   b ,  5   a  and  5   b  are schematic views of the angle adjusting mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  are schematic views of the height adjusting mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    Before describing the present invention, it is necessary to describe the prior art device. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 a - 1   c , the prior art device comprises a fixation seat  10  which is provided with fixation teeth  11  and a fixation side piece  12 , an upper fixation seat  20  which is provided with fixation teeth  21  and a fixation side piece  22 , a fixation screw  31 , a height adjusting member  32 , and a support member  40 . FIG. 1 a  shows a schematic view of the height adjusting member which is adjusted to a higher state. FIG. 1 b  shows a schematic view of the screw  31  which is unfastened to facilitate the inserting of the height adjusting member  32  into the support member  40 , as shown in FIG. 1 c.    
         [0021]    As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the present invention comprises a lower support body  110  which is provided with lower support legs  111  and fixation recesses  112 ; an upper support body  120  which is provided with upper support legs  121  and threaded teeth  122  on the support legs  121 ; an adjustment ring  130  which is provided with tool holes  131 , threaded teeth  132 , and a rib  133 ; a bottom seat  200  provided with fixation teeth  210 ; a top seat  300  provided with fixation teeth  310 . An angle adjusting mechanism includes a serrated recessed curved surface  410  ( 510 ), a serrated protruded curved surface  420  ( 520 ), two fixation screws  430  and  440  ( 530 ,  540 ), two fixation threaded holes  450  ( 550 ), and two fixation holes  460  ( 560 ). The recessed curved surface  410 , the protruded curved surface  420 , the fixation screws  430  and  440 , the fixation threaded holes  450  and the fixation holes  460  of the lower angle adjusting mechanism are assembled in two different angles as shown in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b , respectively. The recessed curved surface  510 , the protruded curved surface  520 , the fixation screws  530  and  540 , the fixation threaded holes  550  and the fixation holes  560  of the upper angle adjusting mechanism are assembled in two different angles as shown in FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b , respectively. For the height adjusting mechanism which is formed of the upper support body  120 , the lower support body  110  and the adjustment ring  130 , please refer to FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b.    
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 a  shows that the bottom seat  200  and the lower support body  110  are joined together in normal direction such that the fixation screw  430  is located at the center of the fixation hole  460 . The reference numerals of  110 ,  111 ,  112 ,  200 ,  210 ,  420 ,  430 , and  460  are same in definition as those of FIG. 2.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 b  shows that the bottom seat  200  and lower support body  110  are joined together slantingly such that the fixation screw  430  is located at one side of the fixation hole  460 . The reference numerals of  110 ,  111 ,  112 ,  200 ,  210 ,  420 ,  430 , and  460  are same in definition as those of FIG. 2.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 a  shows that the upper seat  300  and the upper support body  120  are joined together in normal direction such that the fixation screw  530  is located at the center of the fixation hole  560 . The reference numerals of  120 ,  121 ,  122 ,  300 ,  310 ,  530 , and  560  are same in definition as those of FIG. 2.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 b  shows that the upper seat  200  and the upper support body  120  are joined together slantingly such that the fixation screw  530  is located at one side of the fixation hole  560 . The reference numerals of  120 ,  121 ,  122 ,  300 ,  310 ,  530 , and  560  are same in definition as those of FIG. 2.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 a  shows that each upper support leg  121  is fitted between two lower support legs  111  of the lower support body. The adjustment ring  130  is fitted over the lower support legs  111  such that the rib  133  (shown in FIG. 2) is received in the fixation recess  112  (shown in FIG. 2) on the lower support legs  111 , thereby resulting in the union of the lower support body and the adjustment ring. The threaded teeth  132  (shown in FIG. 2) of the adjustment ring  130  is engaged with the teeth  122  of the upper support body to enable the union of the upper support body and the adjustment ring. The reference numerals of  111 ,  121 ,  122 ,  130 , 131 ,  420 ,  450 ,  520 , and  550  are similar in definition to those of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 6 b , the threaded teeth  132  (shown in FIG. 2) of the adjustment ring  130  and the teeth  122  (shown in FIG. 2) of the upper support body are different in engagement position, so as to form the support member of different height. The adjustment of height of the support member is attained by a tool which is inserted into the tool holes  131  to rotate the adjustment ring  130 .  
         [0027]    The embodiment of the present invention is nonrestrictive. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms. For example, the shape and the structure of the top seat  300  are not restrictive and may be similar to the fixation seat of the prior art fixation device, as shown by reference numerals of  10  and  20  of FIG. 1 a.    
         [0028]    The shape and the structure of the bottom seat  200  are not restrictive and may be similar to the fixation seat of the conventional fixation device, as indicated by  10  and  20  of FIG. 1 a.    
         [0029]    The shape of the support member of the present invention is not restrictive, provided that the fastening of the top seat and/or the bottom seat to the support member is provided with the angle adjusting mechanism, which may be a gear-type angle adjusting mechanism, or the curved surface threadedly fastening type angle adjusting mechanism as shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0030]    The fastening of the support member and the top seat, and the fastening of the support member and the bottom seat, preferably, both are provided with the angle adjusting mechanism. When the support member and the top seat (or the support member and the bottom seat) are joined together without the angle adjusting mechanism, the top seat (or the bottom seat) is formed integrally with the support member, such as the reference numerals of  10  and  40  of FIG. 1 a . When the support member and the top seat (or support member and bottom seat) are joined together along with the angle adjusting mechanism, the angle adjusting mechanism is located in its entirety on the support member or the top seat (or bottom seat); partially located on the support member and partially located on the top seat (or bottom seat); or partially located on the support member, partially located on the top seat (or bottom seat), and partially for fixedly connecting the support member and the top seat (or bottom seat).  
         [0031]    The support member may not have or may have a height adjusting mechanism which is the same as the conventional height adjusting mechanism as shown in FIG. 1 a.