Patent Publication Number: US-11653957-B2

Title: Spine protection device

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/523,613, which is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2016/001576, filed Oct. 3, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/235,667 (filed Oct. 1, 2015) and 62/364,621 (filed Jul. 20, 2016). 
     The references cited in this specification, and their references, are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety where appropriate for teachings of additional or alternative details, features, and/or technical background. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to spinal implant. More particularly, the invention relates to a spinal device for protection of a person&#39;s spine after laminectomy. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A laminectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a portion of the vertebral bone called the lamina—the back part of the vertebra that covers a person&#39;s spinal canal. Also known as decompression surgery, laminectomy enlarges the spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves (the pressure is most commonly caused by bony overgrowths within the spinal canal, which can occur in people who have arthritis in their spines). 
     There are several unfortunate consequences of laminectomies performed worldwide that have not yet been addressed. First, the laminectomy removes the protective posterior element of the spine. As a result, the patient is left with only closed paraspinal muscle, fascia, subcutaneous, tissue, and skin closure. Although the lamina is not considered an essential supportive component of the spine, loss of the lamina results in the theoretical possibility of direct injury to nervous tissue in the operated area. In the lumbar spine, there is often enough protection from the muscle and fascia; however, in the cervical spine this paraspinal musculature is limited. Secondly, scar tissue sets-in after a laminectomy, as the paraspinal muscles closed over the dura forms a fibrotic layer over it. Scar tissue surrounding the dura and nerve roots can compress the nerve roots and cauda equine, producing neural complications such as persistent, low back pain, sciatica, and/or bowel and bladder dysfunction. Third, revision surgery may prove necessary due to recurrent disk herniation, post-operative spinal stenosis (iatrogenic or acquired), or because of exuberant epidural fibrosis. As a result, repeat exposure requires going through the previous operative site without the help of normal landmarks and protection of the pre-existing lamina. In such cases, there is a greater chance of the surgeon injuring the dura, resulting in a cerebrospinal (CSF) leak. Cosmetically, as the wound contracts, the patient is left with a distinct contracture dimple or cavity that is often seen over the surgical site. This “dimple” is often cosmetically undesirable, particularly in thin patients, especially over the cervical or thoracic spine. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,767 discloses a spinal protection device or kit for reducing formation of post-operative adhesions. The device includes a fenestrated shield adapted to cover a bony dissection in the spine of a vertebrate. The shield can include an elongate cavity and can include attachment ports proximate to an edge of the shield to accept attachment pins, as well as a plurality of attachment pins for attaching the shield to bone.  FIG.  1 A  is an illustration of a laminectomy of the fifth lumbar vertebrae according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,767. The spinal cord  24  is surrounded by a vertebral column composed of individual lumbar vertebrae  26 , each composed of a transverse process  30  and a spinous process  32 , and lamina  40 . One of the vertebrae has been subjected to laminectomy (the cut cross section is shown in hatched lines).  FIG.  1 B  is an illustration of a shield  10  installed on the lumbar vertebrae, where shield  10  is positioned over the laminectomy site. The attachment flats  18  are attached to the spinal processes, and a set of four attachment pins  20  are used to anchor the four corners of the shield  10  in place to the surrounding vertebrae tissue. 
     There is a need for an improved spine protection device that has the following desirable properties:
         1) Provides protection of the spinal cord or associated nerve roots after a laminectomy.   2) Prevents postoperative scarring from healing fibroblasts on top of the dura.   3) Provides easy landmark so that the surgeon does not get into the dura and causes a CSF leak during exposure for redo surgery.   4) Prevents cosmetic defects after laminectomy.   5) Easy to apply after a laminectomy or posterior spinal fusion, especially for patients who have a fusion.   6) Provides long term durability, and facilitates repeated surgeries of the spine.       

     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention provides a surgical kit. The kit can include a shield for covering a portion of the spine of a subject. The shield can include an attachment portion adapted to engage a bone fixation assembly which is adapted to be fixated on multiple vertebra bones of the subject. 
     In one embodiment, the bone fixation assembly comprises at least one vertebra joining member secured between two bone anchors, each bone anchor comprising a fastener portion adapted to be implanted into a vertebra bone and a head coupling portion adapted to secure the vertebra joining member. 
     In another embodiment, the attachment portion of the shield is adapted to engage the vertebra joining member of the bone fixation assembly. In alternative embodiments, the attachment portion of the shield is adapted to engage at least one of the bone anchors of the bone fixation assembly. 
     Alternatively, the attachment portion of the shield includes a hook portion for engaging the vertebra joining members of the bone fixation assembly. The bone fixation assembly may comprise a bone screw or more than one bone screw connected by a vertebral joining member. The vertebral joining member may be a rod, which may have a telescoping configuration. 
     In some embodiments, the shield has an adjustable transverse width. In one embodiment, the shield includes two parts each containing one hook for engaging a vertebra joining member of the bone fixation assembly, where the two parts are adapted to engage each other at multiple lateral positions. In one embodiment, there are two hooks which are configured to removably attach to the rod, and a connecting member is disposed between the two hooks. 
     The connecting member may comprise two connecting members slidably joined at a center screw. 
     The shield may have a vertical length to cover at least two or more vertebrae. The shield may also comprise a plurality of shields, where adjacent shields are stacked in a continuous manner one on top of the other. 
     The shield may be included in a surgical kit that includes at least one coupling element adapted to secure the attachment portion of the shield to one of the bone anchors. The surgical kit may further include at least one coupling element adapted to secure the attachment portion of the shield to the vertebra joining member. In these embodiments, the coupling element may be a clip having an open end. In one embodiment, the clip may have an omega type shape. The coupling element may be removably attached to a bone screw. In some embodiments, the attachment portion comprises a coupling element comprising two side hooks and a connecting member. 
     In yet another embodiment, the bone fixation assembly comprises at least two vertebral joining members each secured between two bone anchors. The surgical kit further includes a link adapted to engage each of the two vertebra joining members. The link may include a securing element to secure the shield thereon. In one embodiment, the link can include two connecting members in a slidable configuration with each other so as to allow adjustment of a transverse length of the link across the vertebra. In one embodiment, the shield includes two parts each affixed to a respective member of the two connecting members of the link, and a lateral distance between the two parts can be adjustable as the two connecting members of the link are moved relative to each other. 
     The attachment portion of the shield can include at least one hole. The shield can include an elongated concavity. The attachment portion can include two parts extending laterally on opposite sides of the shield. 
     In one embodiment, the shield comprises two lateral parts, each lateral part comprises a shield portion and a hook portion, the shield is fixed to a bone fixation assembly by an attachment portion, and the attachment portion is configured to removably attach to the bone fixation assembly. 
     In one embodiment, the shield comprises two half-domes, where each half-dome is fixed to one connecting member. 
     The shield can include or is made from a polymeric material, such as PEEK. In other embodiments, the shield may include a metallic or metal alloy material, such as titanium or its alloys. 
     The shield can further include at least one therapeutic agent such as an anti-stenotic agent, an anti-fibrotic agent or an antibiotic agent. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  (prior art) is a partial perspective view of a lumbar vertebrae showing a body dissection associated with a laminectomy. 
         FIG.  1 B  (prior art) is a partial perspective view showing use of a prior art shield to cover the laminectomy dissection shown in  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  2 A  is a perspective view of a spine protection shield of an embodiment of the present invention;  FIG.  2 B  is a top view of the spine protection shield shown in  FIG.  2 A ; 
         FIG.  2 C  is a top view of a spine protection shield of another embodiment of the present invention;  FIGS.  2 D and  2 E  are top views of spine protection shields having different attachment portions according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    depicts a bone fixation assembly as implanted on vertebra bones of a portion of the spine of a subject where a laminectomy has been performed. 
         FIG.  4    depicts an exemplary internal structure of an anchor of a bone fixation assembly. 
         FIG.  5    depicts a spine protection shield installed on a laminectomy site via a bone fixation assembly according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 M  depict various configuration of a coupling element for securing a spine protection shield onto a vertebra joining member of a bone fixation assembly, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  depict coupling a spine protection shield with an anchor of a bone fixation assembly, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  8 A- 8 I  depict various configurations of an attachment portion of a spine protection shield that includes structural features for engaging a portion of a bone fixation assembly, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  9 A and  9 B  depict an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  depict a mechanism of attachment of the invention to the vertebral column. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a surgical kit which includes a shield adapted to cover a portion of the spine of a subject, e.g., after laminectomy or after a posterior spinal fusion. The shield includes an attachment portion adapted to engage a bone fixation assembly which is adapted to be fixated on multiple vertebra bone of the subject. The attachment portion can removably attach to the bone fixation assembly. 
     An example of the shield is shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . The shield  100  can include a body portion  100 , which can take an arcuate shape,  110  (e.g., curved, elliptical or trapezoidal in shape) or have an elongated concavity, as well as attachment portions  120   a  and  120   b , which may include holes or openings  122   a  and  122   b  to accommodate attachment pins or other coupling mechanism for fixation of the shield onto bone (i.e., vertebra). The hole can assume a circular, elliptical, square or other shape. Although the attachment portions  120   a  and  120   b  are shown to each include two holes; fewer or more holes can be included to provide alternative choices for fixation (an example of the shield having only one hole on each attachment portion is shown in  FIG.  2 C ), e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 . . . n. The shield  100  may be symmetrical with respect to an axis  101 , where the attachment portions extend laterally on opposing sides with respect to the axis  101 . In use, the axis  101  can be aligned with the spine in a vertical, axial path. The shield  100  has a length L along the axis (or vertical length) which can be configured to cover one vertebrae, or two, or more consecutive vertebrae of different sections (e.g., cervical, thoracic, lumbar, etc.) of the spine or spinal column, as desired or needed, e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, vertebra. The shield  100  has a total width W and the body of the shield has a width of W 1 , both of which can be selected or tailored to suite the location of the shield on the spine where the shield is to be implanted. As shown below, in certain embodiments, the width W and/or W 1  can be adjustable. 
     Alternatively, the attachment portions can have no holes, but instead include other structural features that help secure the shield onto the bone fixation assembly. The means for securing the shield to the bone fixation assembly is described further below. There can also be multiple attachment portions on either lateral side of the shield  100 , and the attachment portions can take various shapes and sizes, as illustrated in  FIG.  2 D  ( 120   a ,  120   b ,  120   a ′,  120   b ′) and  FIG.  2 E  ( 120   c ,  120   d ). 
     As described herein, the protection shield is configured to engage a bone fixation assembly, which can be part of the surgical kit, or provided separately. In one embodiment, and as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , a bone fixation assembly  200  can include a vertebra joining member  220   a  secured between two bone anchors  231   a  and  232   b , and a vertebra joining member  220   b  secured between two bone anchors  232   a  and  232   b . The bone anchors can be implanted into a portion of the transverse process  27   a  and  27   b  of the respective vertebra  26   a  and  26   b . The vertebra joining member  220   a / 220   b  between the anchors  231   a - 232   a  and between the anchors  231   b - 232   b  help inhibit the relative motion between the two vertebra  26   a  and  26   b . While shown as being cylindrical, the vertebra joining member  220   a / 220   b  can have any desired cross section shapes, such as elliptical, rectangular or other multilateral shapes. Also shown in  FIG.  3    is a cut lamina  42  (the spinal process and part of the lamina have been removed) from which a portion of the spinal cord  24  is exposed. The shield of the present invention, which when in use, can cover (without touching) this portion of the exposed spinal cord  24  and can attach to the bone fixation assembly  200 . For a simple laminectomy without spinal fusion, a protection shield  100  shown in  FIG.  2    can also be simply fixated on the remaining bone (or residual lamina) or medial facet joint using cortical screws which are inserted through the holes  122   a  and/or  122   b.    
     The bone fixation assembly illustrated in  FIG.  3    can take various configurations. For example,  FIG.  4    depicts an illustrative cross section view of an embodiment of the bone fixation assembly shown in  FIG.  3   . The anchor  210   a  includes a fastener portion  250 , which may be a bone screw having a head portion  251  and a threaded portion  252  for facilitating its implantation into vertebra bone (e.g., a transverse process portion of the vertebra  26   a  shown in  FIG.  3   ). The fastener portion  250  includes a receptacle  254  which can be used to drive the threaded portion into the bone, e.g., by a screw driver or other mechanical device. The anchor  210   a  further includes a head coupling portion  260 , which includes a housing  262  and a locking member  264  which can be configured to engage with an inner surface  263  of the housing  262  with mating threads, and lock the vertebra joining member  220   a  into place by friction. In one embodiment, the bone fixation assembly comprises two bone screws which are connected by a vertebral joining member. The vertebra joining member may be removably attached to the one or more bone screws. 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , when the locking member  264  is in the unlocked position (e.g., when it is not contacting the vertebra joining member  220   a ), the vertebra joining member  220   a  can be moved along its length direction, allowing adjustment of the length of the vertebra joining member  220   a  disposed between the two anchors  231   a  and  232   a  (and between the two anchors  231   b  and  232   b ). The vertebra joining member can be a rod. Alternatively, the vertebra joining members can have a telescoping configuration along its long axis; this telescoping configuration allows adjustment of the lengths of the vertebra joining member  220   a  disposed between the two anchors  231   a  and  232   a  after two ends of the vertebra joining member  220   a  have been locked onto the respective anchors. 
     Additionally, the anchor  210   a  may include a link  270  connecting the head coupling portion  260  and the fastener portion  250  with a double ball and socket joint configuration which allows for rotation and/or pivoting of the head coupling portion  260  relative to the axis of the fastener portion  250 . A passage  272  is defined within the link  270 , which is aligned with the receptacle  254  of the fastener portion  250 , to allow a tightening tool, e.g., a screw driver, to directly contact the receptacle  254  through the head coupling portion  260  (before the vertebrae joining member  220   a  is installed) to secure the fastener portion  250  into the bone. 
     The shield of the present invention can engage the bone fixation assembly in various ways. For example, the attachment portion of the shield can be fixed onto the vertebra bone by the fastener portion  250  as shown in  FIG.  3   , e.g., by inserting the threaded portion  252  through a hole of the attachment portion, thereby allowing the head portion  251  to secure the attachment portion  120   a  or  120   b  of the shield onto the vertebra bone. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the shield is secured on the bone fixation assembly after the bone fixation assembly has already been implanted. As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the shield  100  can be secured to the rods of the bone fixation assembly (which has already been installed on bone) via the attachment portions  120   a / 120   b . This approach allows easy installation and rapid as well as replacement of the shield while keeping the fixation assembly in place. 
     To facilitate securement of the shield onto the bone fixation assembly, the protection shield can include an attachment portion (s) that is shaped and configured to directly engage the bone fixation assembly (e.g., on the rods or on the bone anchors). Alternatively, the surgical kit can include one or more coupling elements to couple an attachment portion of the shield to the bone fixation assembly, e.g., to the vertebra joining member, and/or to the head coupling portion(s) of the bone fixation assembly  200 . Preferably, the coupling element is secured on the vertebra joining member  220  at a position between the two bone anchors associated with the vertebra joining member. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6 A , a coupling element to secure the attachment of the vertebra joining member can take a form of a clip  310 . The clip can be configured with appropriate elasticity and contour length to wrap around at least a portion of the circumference of the vertebra joining member of the bone fixation assembly so as to secure the attachment portion against the vertebra joining member  220 .  FIG.  6 B  illustrates a shield  100  being secured to the vertebra joining member  220  by inserting the clip  310  through a hole  122   b  of an attachment portion of the shield  100  and wrapping around a circumference of the vertebra joining member  220 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6 C , the coupling element can also take a form of a clip  320  having an open end, or an omega (“Ω”) shape, which includes a bulbous portion  322  having an opening width of Wb, a neck portion  324  having an opening width Wn (Wn&lt;Wb), and a flared end portion  326 .  FIG.  6 D  illustrates a shield  100  being secured to the vertebra joining member  220  by inserting the clip  320  through a hole  122  of an attachment portion of the shield  100  and wrapping it around a circumference of the vertebra joining member  220 . Preferably, the size, configuration, and elasticity of the omega (“Ω”) shape shaped clip  320  are such that the bulbous portion  322  can wrap around at least more than 180° of the circumference of the vertebra joining member  220 , and that the width Wn of the neck portion  324  when the clip  320  is secured on the vertebra joining member  220  is smaller than the diameter of the vertebra joining member  220 . The advantage of the omega (“Ω”) shape configuration includes easy deployment of the clip  320 . An operator can push the open end toward the vertebra joining member  220 , and the open end would be expanded due to the elasticity of the clip  320 , thereby allowing the bulbous portion  322  to snap-fit on the circumference of vertebra joining member  220 , with the aid of the neck portion  324  to lock the vertebra joining member  220  into place by friction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6 E , the coupling element can also take a form of a clip  330  having a locking mechanism near the ends of the clip. Clip  330  includes an elongate member  332 , a protruded portion  336  near one end of the elongate member  332 , and a port  334  near the other end of the elongate member  332 . The protruded portion  336  is configured with appropriate dimension to be inserted into the port  334  to form a closed structure where the protrusion  336  frictionally engages the port  334 . The closed structure can be reopened manually if needed, but otherwise has sufficient stability to be implanted into the body for long term use. The contour length of the elongate member  332  between the protruded portion  336  and the port  334  can be tailored to be sufficient to wrap around the circumference of the vertebra joining member to allow the insertion of protruded portion  336  into the port  334 .  FIG.  6 F  illustrates a shield  100  being secured to the vertebra joining member  220  by inserting the elongate member  332  of a clip  330  through a hole  122   b  of an attachment portion of the shield  100  and wrapping it around a circumference of the vertebra joining member  220 , and the protruded portion  336  is locked in the port  334  to form a closed structure to secure the shield onto the vertebra joining member  220 . 
     In another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS.  6 G and  6 H , the coupling element can take the form of a link  340  that is configured to span transversely over the vertebra to engage the vertebra joining members (rods) of the bone affixation assembly installed on both sides of the spine (see  FIG.  3   ). The link  340  includes lateral or side hooks  348   a  and  348   b  dimensioned and configured to engage the vertebra joining members (rods). Each hook also is equipped with screws  344   a / 344   b  for tightening against the respective rod. A connecting member  346   b  extends from hook  348   b . The distal end of the connecting member  346   b  includes an enlarged portion  345  for receiving a center screw  342 , and a hoop structure  343  for slidably receiving a connecting member  346   a  extending from the hooks  348   a / 348   b . The transverse length LL between the hooks  348   a  and  348   b  is adjustable by virtue of a slidable connection between the two connecting members  346   a  and  346   b . The connecting member  346   a  can rotate within the hoop  343 , and the two connecting members  346   a  and  346   b  can also deviate from a linear arrangement (e.g., they can form an angle), thereby permitting the link  340  to couple with the vertebra joining members of the bone fixation assembly that might not be parallel configuration. In operation, when desired length LL and other adjustable parameters of the configuration of the link  340  are obtained (e.g., when a tight fit between the hooks and vertebra joining member are obtained), the center screw  342  can be tightened to engage connecting member  346   a  thereby fixing the length LL. The screws  344   a  and  344   b  can be tightened so that they securely engage the vertebra joining member (rods) of the bone fixation assembly.  FIG.  6 H  shows the coupling element  340  as secured on the vertebra joining members  220   a / 220   b  of the bone fixation assembly. 
     The shield of the present invention can be secured in various ways. For example, as schematically illustrated in  FIG.  6 I , the shield  100  can have multiple apertures  125   a ,  125   b , and  125   c  positioned along its long or vertical axis, e.g., along the longitudinal axis  101  of shield  100 , where the size of the apertures is adapted such that screw  342  of the link  340  can be inserted through the apertures to secure the shield  100  thereon. As illustrated in  FIG.  6 J  (a top down view of the shield  100  assembled on three links), shield  100  is secured by three links  340   a ,  340   b , and  340   c  via center screws  342   a ,  342   b , and  342   c  of the links (the three links  340   a ,  340   b , and  340   c  are secured to the respective rods  220   a  and  220   b  by their respective side hooks). Thus, when the center screws  342   a ,  342   b , and  342   c  are tightened, the lateral span of the links  340   a ,  340   b , and  340   c  is fixed, and the shield  100  is secured to the vertebra at the same time. 
       FIGS.  6 K and  6 L  illustrate an alternative example where the coupling element takes the form of a link  340  as previously described in connection with  FIGS.  6 G and  6 H . In this embodiment, a shield  100  can include two parts  100   a  and  100   b , which assume a configuration of a half-dome or curved shell with a cut top  100   a   1  and  100   b   1 , respectively. Parts  100   a  and  100   b  can be fixed on the connecting members  346   a  and  346   b  of the link  340 , respectively. The fixation can be accomplished by mechanical coupling, chemical bonding, physical bonding, etc. The lateral distance between the two parts  100   a  and  100   b  of the shield can be adjusted by sliding the connecting member  346   a  relative to the connecting member  346   b . For example, when the two lateral hooks  348   a  and  348   b  are in a first, open configuration, as shown in  FIG.  6 K , there is a lateral gap Dg between the two parts  100   a  and  100   b  of the shield. After the two connecting members  346   a  and  346   b  are slid against each other such that the two lateral hooks  348   a  and  348   b  are in a second, more compact configuration, as shown in  FIG.  6 L , the two parts  100   a  and  100   b  meet in a center seam  100   s  or at least partially overlap in the middle such that there is no longer a lateral gap between the two parts  100   a  and  100   b . In this configuration, the upper portion of the shield  100  can mimic the shape of a spinous process. This configuration can also be used as a final assembled configuration for implantation, at which the connecting members  346   a  and  346   b  can be locked against each other by tightening the screw  342  by a tightening tool (e.g., a screw driver) which can access the screw  342  via the top opening  100   h  formed by the two parts  100   a  and  100   b  at this configuration. 
     In the above embodiments where a coupling element is used to couple the shield onto the vertebra joining member, for improved friction between the coupling element and the vertebra joining member, the vertebra joining member can include grooves, dents, dimples, or other surface irregularities. 
     In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG.  6 M , the coupling element takes the form of a link  350  that is configured to span transversely over the spine to engage the vertebra joining members (rods) of the bone fixation assembly which are installed on both sides of the spine. The link  350  includes lateral or side hooks  358   a  and  358   b  dimensioned and configured to engage the vertebra joining members (rods). The hook has an open end which can be in the form of an “Ω” (omega) shape. A connecting member  356   b  extends from hook  358   b ; a connecting member  356   a  extends from hook  358   a . The distal end of the connecting member  356   b  includes an elongated port  355  for receiving a bolt  352  which is attached to connecting member  356   a ; the bolt extends upward through the port  355  to slidably connect connecting members  356   a  and  356   b . The transverse length LL between the hooks  358   a  and  358   b  is adjustable due to the slidable connection between connecting members  356   a  and  356   b . The connecting members  356   a  and  356   b  can rotate with respect to each other to form a non-linear arrangement. For example, the connecting members can move to form an angle between them which is less than 180°. Bolt  352  can be tightened to engage connecting member  356   a  with connecting member  356   b , thereby fixing the length LL. 
     In other embodiments, the coupling element can be configured for coupling the attachment portion of the shield  100  directly with the bone anchors of the bone fixation assembly. As another example, these clips can be used to couple to the head coupling portion  260  as shown in  FIG.  4   . Other forms of coupling elements can also be used. For example,  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  show an attachment pin (or stud/screw)  380  having a head portion  382 , an engaging portion  384  dimensioned and configured to be inserted into the socket  265  of the locking member  264  of the head coupling portion  260  (see  FIG.  4   ) through a hole  122   a / 122   b  of an attachment portion  120   a ,  120   b  of a shield, thereby securing the attachment portion  120   a ,  120   b  of the shield onto the head coupling portion  260 . 
     In further embodiments, an attachment portion of the shield of the present invention can include an integral portion which is configured to engage the bone fixation assembly. For example, the various coupling elements (clips) as shown in  FIGS.  6 A,  6 C, and  6 F  can be fabricated as part of an attachment portion of the shield  100 , or integrated with an attachment portion of the shield  100 . As illustrated in  FIG.  8 A , an omega (“Ω”) shape shaped clip  420  can be manufactured separately from the shield  100  and then integrated or joined with an attachment portion  120  of the shield  100  (e.g., by welding, adhering, or other commonly known techniques in the art).  FIG.  8 B  illustrates a shield  100  having an attachment portion  120  which includes an omega (“Ω”) shape shaped end portion  430 . The clip  420  or omega (“Ω”) shape shaped end portion  430  can be used for engaging a vertebra joining member  220 , or a bone anchor associated with a vertebra joining member  220 . While the open end of the clip  420  or omega (“Ω”) shape shaped end portion  430  is shown in  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B  as being oriented laterally toward the vertebra joining member  220 , other orientations are also contemplated, for example, downward, or obliquely downward. 
     An attachment portion of the shield of the present invention can also include other integral structural element configured to engage a part of the bone fixation assembly other than the vertebra joining member(s). For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  8 C , the attachment portion  120  of a shield  100  includes a protruded portion  440  which is dimensioned and configured, such as the attachment pin  380  in  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B , to be inserted into the socket  265  of the locking member  264  of the head coupling portion  260 , thereby securing the attachment portion  120  of the shield  100  onto the head coupling portion  260 . 
       FIG.  8 D  illustrates another example of attachment portions  120   a  and  120   b  of shield  100  configured as hooks to engage vertebra joining members  220   a  and  220   b  on both lateral sides. In this embodiment, the shield  100 , the attachment portions  120   a / 120   b  are formed from two pieces which are joined together.  FIG.  8 E  illustrates a variation of the structure shown in  FIG.  8 D , where attachment pins  180   a  and  180   b  (e.g., screws) located proximal to the hooks can be fastened to contact the vertebra joining members (rods)  220   a  and  220   b , thereby providing further security for the engagement between the hooks and the vertebra joining members (rods)  220   a  and  220   b.    
       FIGS.  8 F-H  illustrate a further example of attachment portions  120   a  and  120   b  of shield  100  configured as hooks, where the shield  100  has an adjustable transverse or lateral width. In this embodiment, the shield  100  includes two lateral parts (or halves)  100   a  and  100   b , each including a slit  102   a  and  102   b  oriented along the width direction. To assemble the shield during surgery, the operator can first engage the two respective hooks with the vertebra joining members of the bone fixation assembly (not shown), and slide the two halves of the shield toward each other until a desired position is reached where the two halves are partially overlapping with each other with the slits  102   a / 102   b  aligned. Then the operator can secure the shield at this position (see  FIG.  8 F ) using an attachment pin  181  through the opening of the slits  102   a  and  102   b . The attachment pin  181  can include a bolt  181   a  and nut  181   b . Instead of the slits  102   a / 102   b , a series of holes  103   a / 103   b  arranged in the width direction on  100   a  and  100   b  can also be employed (see  FIG.  8 H ) to provide discrete stop positions for adjusting the width of the shield to cover the vertebra. 
     In another embodiment, and as shown in  FIG.  8 I , the coupling mechanism of the coupling element or link can take the form of a series of protrusions configured to mate with a series of apertures. The coupling element is configured to span transversely over the spine to engage the vertebra joining members (rods) of the bone affixation assembly (not shown). In this case, securement between the two halves of the shield can be accomplished by directly coupling between the protrusions and the apertures. The coupling mechanism  360  includes lateral or side hooks  368   a  and  368   b  dimensioned and configured to engage the vertebra joining members (rods). A connecting member  366   a  extends from hook  368   a  and a connecting member  366   b  extends from hook  368   b . Connecting member  366   b  comprises a series of protrusions  364 , which may be evenly spaced along its length. Connecting member  366   a  comprises a series of apertures  365 , which may be evenly spaced along its length, and which are configured to mate with the protrusions  364  of connecting member  366   b . The protrusions  364  should be flush with the external surface of the apertures  365 . The transverse length LL between hooks  368   a  and  368   b  is adjustable with respect to the mating, or joining, of the protrusions  364  and the apertures  365 , which can adjust such that one or more than one protrusion is mated with one or more than one aperture. 
       FIGS.  9 A and  9 B  illustrate an embodiment of the coupling element of  FIG.  6 M  attached to a spine.  FIG.  9 A  shows the invention with the coupling element in a closed position while  FIG.  9 B  shows the invention with the coupling element in a open position. As previously described, the coupling element may be in the form of a link  350  configured to span transversely over the vertebra of the spine to engage the vertebral joining members (rods)  200  installed on either side of the spine. The link  350  comprises side hooks  358   a  and  358   b  dimensioned and configured to engage the vertebra joining members  200 . The link  350  further comprises a connecting member  356   b  extending from hook  358   b  and connecting member  356   a  extending from hook  358   a . The distal end of the connecting member  356   a  comprises a bolt  352  and the distal end of the connecting  356   b  comprises an elongated port  355  for receiving the bolt  352  to slidably connect the connecting members. The shield  370  can be attached on top of the coupling mechanism. The arrangement of the shield  370  and the vertebral coupling element allows the shields to stack one on top of the other to form a continuous, yet flexible shield along the spinal column. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  9 A and  9 B , the surgical kit may comprise one shield or may comprise more than one shield. For example, the surgical kit may comprise 2, 3, 4, . . . , n shields. When using more than one shield, the shields become stacked one above the other along the spinal column. Each shield is designed to cover one vertebra. If more than one vertebra needs to be covered, then more than one shield would be employed with each shield covering one vertebra. 
       FIGS.  10 A and  10    B illustrate the attachment of the present invention to a bone fixation assembly. In  FIG.  10 A , an embodiment of the shield  370  is connected to the caudal ridge of the spinous process through the connection of the hooks  358   a  and  358   b  to the vertebra joining members (rods)  200 .  FIG.  10 B  shows an embodiment of the shield  370  when the distance between the spinous process and the shield is closed and the invention is snapped to the cephalad ridge. 
     In the various embodiments illustrated above, the bone fixation assembly, the coupling element that couples the bone fixation assembly with the shield, as well as the shield, can be made from various biocompatible materials, such as metal, metal alloys, polymeric materials, including bioabsorbable materials such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, poly-ε-caprolactone, or mixtures or copolymers thereof. Examples of materials that may be used include stainless steel (SST), nickel titanium (NiTi), or polymers. Examples of other metals which may be used include, super elastic NiTi, shape memory NiTi, Ti—Nb, Ni—Ti approx. 55-60 wt. % Ni, Ni—Ti—Hf, Ni—Ti—Pd, Ni—Mn—Ga, 300 to 400 series 304, 316, 402, 440 SST, MP35N, 17-7 PH SST, other spring steel or other high tensile strength material or biocompatible metal material. In one preferred embodiment, the material is super elastic or shape memory NiTi, while in a second preferred embodiment, the preferred material is SST. 
     Alternatively, the shield may be formed from polymers. Examples of polymers include polyimide, PEEK, nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), latex, HDHMWPE and thermoplastic elastomers. 
     Depending on the material as well as the structural requirements in terms of flexibility, the wall thickness of the shield at any point can vary, e.g., from about 0.05 mm to 2 mm, e.g., 0.05 mm to about 1 mm, about 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, etc. The inner diameter of the shield can vary, e.g., from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm, or from about 0.25 mm to about 1 mm, e.g., about 0.2 mm, about 0.3 mm, about 0.4 mm, about 0.5 mm, about 0.6 mm, about 0.7 mm, about 0.8 mm, about 0.9 mm, about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm thickness. 
     The spine protection shield  100  can be impregnated or coated with one or more therapeutic or pharmaceutical agents, such anti-restenotic agents, anti-fibrotic agents, or anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, or combinations of any of these agents. Such agents can be impregnated in a controlled-release layer which is coated on the protection shield. The controlled release layer can be formed from proteins such as collagen, fibrin, tropoelastin, elastin, cross-linked tropoelastin and extracellular matrix component, fibrin, fibronectin, laminin, derivatives thereof, or other biologic agents or mixtures of any of these. 
     The therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent can be encapsulated, embedded or suspended in a biocompatible matrix such as a gel. The gel may be a hydrogel which can be dried and re-hydrated. The matrix can be encapsulated by a cover, which could be semipermeable. The cover may be a membrane, sheet, film, tape or any other desired configuration which is semipermeable. 
     The cover may have a plurality of holes, pores, slits, or can be formed from a porous network of fibrils, or from a variable density fibril matte, or any other desired perforations. The therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent can be uniformly delivered over a period of time t. Alternatively, the therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent is released at a rate independent of time and the concentration of the pharmaceutically active agent incorporated in the present device. Zero-order release ensures that a steady amount of drug is released over desired length of time, minimizing potential peak/trough fluctuations and side effects, while maximizing the amount of time the drug concentrations remain within the therapeutic window. 
     The layer incorporating the therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent may be a coating on the exterior surface of the lamina cover. The layer incorporating the agent may also be wrapped around the lamina cover using a spiral tape configuration. The layer or coating from the agent loaded matrix can be applied to the lamina cover using standard techniques to cover the entire or partial surface of the lamina cover. The coating may be a single layer of a homogenous mixture of drugs and a matrix, or in a composition dot matrix pattern. The lamina cover may be dipped or sprayed with a liquid solution comprising at least one pharmaceutical or therapeutic agent. After each layer is applied, the lamina cover is dried before application of the next layer. The thickness of the layer incorporating the therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent may range from about 0.1 μm to about 150 μm, from about 1 μm to about 100 μm, from about 10 μm to about 50 μm, or from about 20μ to 30 μm. Alternatively, multiple layers of the active agent/matrix composition can be applied on the surface of the cover in these thickness ranges. For example, multiple layers of various pharmaceutically active agents can be deposited onto the cover so that a particular drug can be released at one time. 
     The layer or coating incorporating the pharmaceutical agent may also comprise a matrix. The matrix may comprise a water soluble material or water-swellable material. The therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent may be dispersed within the matrix or coated on the exterior and/or interior surfaces of the matrix. Water soluble material refers to material that dissolves, hydrolyzes, breaks down or disintegrates in contact with water or aqueous physiological fluid, such as blood and interstitial fluid. As the water soluble material layer dissolves, the therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent is released. The length of time that is needed for the water soluble material to be dissolved may be less than 2 hours, less than 1 hour, less than 30 minutes, less than 10 minutes, less than 5 minutes, or less than 1 minute. 
     The matrix may comprise a mixture of water insoluble and water soluble materials. Examples of the combinations include shellac and olyvinylpyrollidone, and ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropylmthyl cellulose. The matrix may also comprise water swellable material. Water soluble or water swellable material may comprise a polysaccharide, such as dextral, alginate, amylose, amylopectin, carrageenan, carboxylmethyl cellulose, gellan, guar gum, polysaccharide conjugate vaccines, hydroxylethyl cellulose, amylopectin, starch derivatives, hyaluronic acid, starch derivatives, xantan, xyloglucan, chitosan-based hydrogel, peptidoglycan, and progeogl yeans. Water soluble or water swellable material may also comprise a simple carbohydrate, such as glucose, maltose, lactose, fructose, sucrose, galactose, e glucosamine, galactosamine, muramic acid, glucruronate, gluconate, fructose, trehalose, a synthetic polymer, such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolindone, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene derivatives, a polypeptide, such as elastin, polyvinyl amine or poly(L-lysine), uncrosslinked hydrogel, crosslinked hydrogel, polyacrylic acid or any other cross-linked water swellable polymers. Examples of hydrogel materials include carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), amylopectin, starch derivatives, hyaluronic acid, or their combinations. 
     The matrix that incorporates the pharmaceutically active agent may also comprise many desired biocompatible, non-toxic material. Examples of biocompatible materials include poly(lactide-co-glycolide), polyesters such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polyanhydride, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxybutyrate valerate, or mixtures of copolymers thereof. In one embodiment, the matrix may further comprise naturally occurring substances such as collagen, fibronectin, vitronectin, elastin, laminin, heparin, fibrin, cellulose, carbon or extracellular matrix components. Polymers which can be used in the matrix include poly(lactic-co-glycolide); poly-DL-lactide, poly-L-lactide, and/or mixtures thereof and can be of various inherent viscosities and molecular weights. In one embodiment, poly(DL lactide-co-glycolide) can be used. The poly-DL-lactide material can be in the form of homogenous composition and when solubilized and dried, it can form a lattice of channels in which pharmaceutical or therapeutic substances can be trapped for delivery to the tissues. In a further embodiment, the coating composition comprises a nonabsorbable polymer, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVAC), polybutyl-methacrylate (PBMA) and methylmethacrylate (MMA). 
     The matrix may also comprise an organogel, such as poly(ethylene), L-alanine, sorbitan monostearate, Eudragit or lecithin organogel. Alternatively, the gels may comprise a sol-gel. In another embodiment, the matrix may comprise a tape such as bioadhesive which can be wrapped around the lamina cover. For example, an alkyl cyanoacrylate monomer which polymerizes into a thin flexible film may be used. Alkyl chain cyanoacrylates such as methyl-, ethyl-, isopropyl, butyl and octylcyanoacrylate may be used. Other possible bioadhesives include, urethane-based materials as well as adhesives incorporating mussel adhesive proteins. 
     The layer or coating incorporating the therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent may be dispersed within and or onto a sponge-like membrane or layer, made of a non-hydrogel polymer having a plurality of voids. The sponge like membrane or layer alternatively may also be constructed out of a polymer based fiberal network or scaffolding, resulting in void spaces existing within this fiberous or fiberal nodal network. The therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent is infused into the voids of the sponge membrane or layer that overlies that lamina cover. The therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent is expelled through the voids of the sponge membrane or layer. The sponge membrane or layer may be prepared by dissolving a non-hydrogel polymer in a solvent and an elutable particulate material. After the sponge membrane or layer composition is cured, it is exposed to a solvent, e.g. water, which causes the particulate material to elute from the polymer, leaving a sponge membrane or layer having a plurality of voids therein. The sponge coating is then exposed to a biologically active material to load the sponge membrane or layer with such material. Such material may be loaded into the coating by diffusion or other means. The non-hydrogel polymer(s) useful for forming the sponge membrane or layer should be ones that are biocompatible. Non-hydrogel polymers are polymers that when a drop of water is added on top of a film of such polymer, the drop will not spread. Examples of such polymers include, without limitation, polyurethanes, polyisobutylene and its copolymers, silicones, and polyesters. Other suitable polymers include polyolefins, polyisobutylene, ethylene-alphaolefin copolymers, High Density High Molecular Weight Polyethelene (HDHMWPE), acrylic polymers and copolymers, vinyl halide polymers and copolymers such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ethers such as polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl halides such as polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinyl aromatics such as polystyrene, polyvinyl esters such as polyvinyl acetate; copolymers of vinyl monomers, copolymers of vinyl monomers and olefins such as ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, ABS resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyamides such as Nylon 66 and polycaprolactone, alkyd resins, polycarbonates, polyoxyethylenes, polyimides, polyethers, epoxy resins, polyurethanes, rayon-triacetate, cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellophane, cellulose nitrate, cellulose propionate, cellulose ethers, carboxylmethyl cellulose, collagens, chitins, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, and polylactic acid-polyethylene oxide copolymers. 
     The therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent may be incorporated into microspheres, liposomes, and other types of particle-based drug delivery vehicles which are incorporated in the matrix. For example, Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles can be incorporated within a cross-linkable hyaluronan-based hydrogel matrix. Alternatively, the matrix may comprise a nanogel for encapsulating the therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent. Nanogels are a polymer network of charged polyionic segments crosslinked by polyethylene glycol (PEG) segments. A wide variety of different pharmaceutical agents can be incorporated into the nanogel. 
     Examples of anti-restenotic agents include but are not limited to, taxol, a pharmaceutically active taxol derivative, rapamycin, a pharmaceutically active rapamycin derivative, synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors such as batimastat (BB-94), a cell-permeable myotoxins such as cytochalasin B, gene-targeted therapeutic drugs, c-myc neutrally charged antisense oligonucleotides such as nonpeptide inhibitors such as tirofiban, antiallergic drugs such as tranilast, gene-based therapeutics such as paclitaxel, and combinations thereof). 
     Examples of anti-fibrotic agents include but are not limited to, an agent that degrades or causes the dissolution or shrinkage of fibrotic tissue or a portion thereof; an agent that enzymatically degrades or shrinks the fibrotic tissue, such as protease or glycanase; a hormone, such as relaxin, which inhibits collagen production and stimulates collagen degradation; a cytokine, drug, cell, or nucleic-acid-based material that influences the function, viability, or proliferation of fibroblasts or other cells in the fibrotic tissue; or cells that inhibit collagen production and/or stimulates collagen degradation. Specific examples of anti-fibrotic agents include alginate, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, dextran sulfate, hyaluronic acid, heparin, heparin sulfate, keratin sulfate, and pentose polysulfate, or combinations thereof. 
     Examples of anti-inflammatory agents (in cases where no spinal fusion is involved, as anti-inflammatory would impede spinal fusion) include but are not limited to naproxen; diclofenac; celcoxib; sulindac; diflunisal; piroxicam; indomethacin; etodolac; meloxical; ibuprofen; ketoprofen; r-flurbiprofen; mefenamic; nabumetone; tolmetin, and sodium sales of each of the foregoing; ketorolac bromethamine; ketorolac tromethamine; ketorolac acid; choline magnesium trisalicylate; rofecoxib; valdecoxib; lumiracoxib; etoricoxib; aspirin; salicylic acid and its sodium salt; salicylate esters of alpha, beta, gamma-tocopherols and tocotrienols (and all their d, 1, and racemic isolers); methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, esters of acetylsalicylic acid; tenoxicam; aceclofenac; nimesulide; nepafenac; amfenac; bromfenac; flufenamate; phenylbutazone, or combinations thereof. 
     Examples of antibiotics include but are not limited toaminoglycosides such as streptomycin, amikacin, and tobramycin; macrolines such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, and lincomycin; tetracyclines such as tetracycline, dosycycline, chlortetracycline, and minocycline; oxaxolidinones such as linezolid; fusidic acid; and chloramphenicol; beta-lactam penicillins such as penicillin, amoxicillin, dicloxacillin, and ampicillin; beta lactam cephalsporins such as ceftaxime, cefuroxime, cefaclor, and ceftriaxone; beta lacram carbapenems such as impenem and meropenem; quinolones such as ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and levofloxacin; sulfonamides such as sulfanilamide and sulfamethoxazole; metronidazole; rifampin; vancomycin; and nitrofurantoin. 
     Pharmaceutical agents that may be used in the present invention include: (i) pharmacological agents such as, (a) anti-thrombotic agents such as heparin, heparin derivatives, urokinase, and PPack (dextrophenylalanine proline aginine chloromethylketone); antiinflammatory agents such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, corticosterone, budesonide, estrogen, sulfasalazine and mesalamine; (c) antineoplastic/antiproliferative/anti-miotic agents such as paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, vinblastine, vincristine, epothilones, endostatin, antiostatin, angiopeptin, monoclonal antibodies capable of blocking smooth muscle cell proliferation, thymidine kinase inhibitors, rapamycin, 40-0-2(Hydroxylethyl) rapamycin (everolimus), 40-0-Benzyl-rapamycin, 40-0(4′-Hydroxymethyl)benzyl-rapamycin, 40-0-[4′-(1,2-Dihydroxylethyl)]benzyl-rapamycin, 40-Allyl-rapamycin, 40-0-[3′-92,2-Dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4(S)-yl-prop-2′-en-1′ yl]-20 rapamycin, (2′:E,4′S)-40-0-(4′,5′.:Dihydroxypent-2′ en-1′yl), rapamycin 40-0(2Hydroxy) ethoxycar-bonylmethyl-rapamycin, 40-0-(3-Hydroxypropyl-rapamycin 40-0-((Hydroxyl)hexyl-rapamycin 40-0-[2-(2-Hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, 40-0-[(3S)-(Hydroxy)hexyl-rapamycin 40-0-[2-(2-Hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, 40-0-[(3S)-2,2Dimethyldioxolan-3-yl]methyl-rapamycin, 40-0-(2-Nicotinoloxy)ethyl-rapamycin, 40-0[2-(N-Methyl-N′-piperazinyl)acetoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, 39-0-Desmethyl-3.9,400-0,0 ethylene-rapamycin, (26R)-26-Dihydro-40-0-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin, 28-O Methyrapamycin, 40-0-(2-Aminoethyl)-rapamycin, 40-0-(2-Acetaminoethyl)-rapamycin 40-0(2-Nicotinamidoethyl)-rapamycin, 40-0-(3-(N-Methyl-imidazo-2′ylcarbcthoxamido)ethyl)-30 rapamycin, 40-0-(2-Ethoxycarbonylaminoethyl)-rapamycin, 40-0-(2-Tolylsulfonamidoethyl)-rapamycin, 40-0-(2-Ethoxycarbonylaminoethyl)-rapamycin, 40-0-(2-Tolylsulfonaminoethyl)-rapamycin, 40-0-[2-(4′,5′-Dicarboethoxy-1′,2′,3′-triazol-1′-yl0-ethyl]rapamycin, 42-Epi-(telrazolyl) rapamycin (tacrolimus), and 42-[3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-3-methylpropanoate] rapamycin (temsirolimus), (d) anesthetic agents such as lidocaine, bupivacaine and ropivacaine; € anti-coagulants such as D-Phe-Pro-Arg chloromethyl ketone, and RGD peptide containing compound, heparin, hirudin, antithrombin compounds, platelet receptor antagonists, antithrombin antibodies, anti-platelet receptor antibodies, aspirin, prostaglandin inhibitors, platelet inhibitors and tick antiplatelet peptides; (f) vascular cell growth promoters such as growth factors, transcriptional activators, and translational promotors; (g) vascular cell growth inhibitors such as growth factor inhibitors, growth factor receptor antagonists, transcriptional repressors, translational repressors, replication inhibitors, inhibitory antibodies, antibodies directed against growth factors, bifunctional molecules consisting of a growth factor and a cytotoxin, bifunctional molecules consisting of an antibody and a cytotoxin; (h) protein kinase and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., tyrophostins, genistein, quinoxalines); (i) prostacyclin analogs; (j) cholesterol-lowering agents; (k) angiopoietins; (l) antimicrobial agents such as triclosan, cephalosporin, aminoglycosides and nitrofurantoin; m) cytotoxic agents, cytostatic agents and cell proliferation affectors; (n) vasodilating agents; and, (o) agents that interfere with endogenous vasoactive mechanism, (ii) genetic therapeutic agents include anti-sense DNA and RNA as well as DNA coding for (a) anti-sense RNA, (b) tRNA or rRNA to replace defective or basic fibroblast growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor a and P, platelet-derived endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, tumer necrosis factor a, hepatocyte growth factor and insulin-like growth factor, (d) cell cycle inhibitors including CD inhibitors, and € thymidine kinase (“TK” and other agents useful for interfering with cell proliferation. 
     Other pharmaceutical agents that can be used, include, acarbosc, antigens, beta-receptor blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID, cardiac glycosides, acetylsalicylic acid, virustatics, aclarubicin, acyclovir, cisplatin, actinomycin, alpha- and beta-sympatomimetrics, (dmeprazole, allopurinol, alprostadil, prostaglandins, amantadine, ambroxol, amlodipine, methotrexate, S-aminosaslicylic acid, amitriptyline, amoxicillin, anastrozole, atenolol, azathioprine, balsalazine, beclomcthasone, betahistine, bezafibrate, bicalutamide, diazepam and diazepam derivatives, budesonide, bufexamac, buprenorphine, methadone, calcium salts, potassium salts, magnesium salts, candesartan, carbamazepine, captopril, cefalosporins, cetirizine, chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, theophylline and theophylline derivatives, trypsins, cimetidine, clarithromycin, clavulanic acid, clindamycin, clobutinol, clonidinc, coytimoxazole, codeine, caffeine, vitamin D and derivatives of vitamin D, colestyramine, cromoglicic acid, coumarin and coumarin derivatives, cysteine, cytarabine, cyclophosamide, cyclosporine, cyproterone, cytabarine, dapiprazole, desogestrel, desonide, dihydralazine, diltiazem, ergot alkaloids, dimenhydrinate, dimethyl sulphoxide, dimeticone, domperidone and domperidan derivatives, doxazosin, doxorubizin, doxylamine, dapiprazole, benzodiazepines, diclofenac, gltcoside antibiotics, desipramine, econazole, ACE inhibitors, enalapril, ephedrine, epinephrine, epoetin and epoetin derivatives, morphinans, calciu antagonists, irinotecan, modafmil, orlistat, peptide antibiotics, phenyltoin, riluzoles, risedronate, sildenafil, topiramatc, macrolide antibiotics, oestrogen and oestrogen derivatives, progestogen and progestogen derivatives, testosterone and testosterone derivatives, androgen and androgen derivatives, ethenzamide, etofenamate, ctofibrate, fenofibrate, etofylHne, etoposide, famciclovir, famotidine, felodipine, fenoftbrate, fentanyl, fenticonazole, gyrase inhibitors, fluconazole, fludarabine, fluarizine, fluorouracil, fluoxetine, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, flutamide, fluvastatin, follitropin, foromoterol, fosfomicin, furosemide, fusidic acid, gallopamin, ganciclovir, gemfibrozil, gentamicin, ginko, Saint John&#39;s wort, glibenclamide, urea derivatives as oral antidiabetics, glucagon, glucosamine and glucosamine derivatives, glutathione, glycerol and glycerol derivatives, hypothalamus hormones, goserelin, gyrase inhibitors, guanethidine, halofantrine, haloperidol, heparin and heparin derivatives, hyaluronic acid, hydralazine, hydrochlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide derivatives, salicylates, hydroxyzine, idarubicin, ifosfamide, imipramine, indomethacin, indoramine, insulin, interferons, iodine and iodine derivatives, isoconazole, isoprenaline, glucitol and glucitol derivatives, itraconazole, ketoconazole, ketoprofen, ketotifen, lacidipine, lansoprazole, levodopa, levomethadone, thyroid hormones, lipoic acid and lipoic acid derivatives, Lisinopril, lisuride, lofepramine, lomustine, loperamide, loratadine, maprotiline, mebendazole, mebeverine, meclizine, mefenamic acid, mefloquine, meloxicam, mcpindolol, meprobamate, meropenem, mesalazinc, mesuximide, metamizole, metformin, methotrexate, methylphenidate, methylprednisolone, metixene, metoclopramide, metoprolol, metronidazole, mianserin, miconazole, minocycline, minoxidil, misoprostol, mitomycin, mizolastinc, moexipril, morphine and morphine derivatives, evening primrose, nalbuphine, naloxone, tilidine, naproxen, narcotine, natamycin, neostigmine, nicergoline, nicethamide, nifedipine, niflumic acid, nimodipine, nimorazole, nimustine, nisoldipine, adrenaline and adrenaline derivatives, norfloxacin, novamine sulfone, noscapine, nystatin, ofloxacin, olanzapine, olsalazine, omeprazole, omoconazole, ondansetron, oxaceprol, oxaqcillin, oxiconazole, oxymetazoline, pantoprazole, paracetamol, paroxetine, penciclovir, oral penicillins, pentazocine, pentifylline, pentoxifylline, perphenazine, pethidine, plant extracts, phenazone, pheniramine, barbituric acid derivatives, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, pimozine, pindolol, piperazine, piracetam, pirenzepine, piribedil, piroxicam, pramipexole, pravastin, prazosin, procaine, promazine, propiverine, propranolol, propyphenazone, prostaglandins, protionamide, proxyphylline, quetiapine, quinapril, quinaprilat, Ramipril, rantidine, reproterol, reserpine, ribavirin, rifampicin, risperidone, ritonavir, ropinirole, roxatidine, roxithromycin, ruscogenin, rutoside and rutoside derivatives, sabadilla, salbutamol, salmeterol, scopolamine, selegiline, sertaconazole, sertindone, sertralion, silicates, sildenafil, simvastatin, sitosterol, sotalol, spaglumic acid, sparfloxacin, spectinomycin, spiramycin, spirapril, spironolactone, stavudine, streptomycin, sucralfate, sufentanil, sulbactam, sulphonamides, sulfasalazine, sulpiridine, sultamicillin, sultiam, sumatriptan, suxamethonium chloride, tacrine, tacrolimus, taliolol, tamoxifen, taurolidine, tazarotene, temazepam, teniposide, tenoxicam, terazosin, terbinafine, terbutaline, terfenadine, terlipressin, tertatolol, tetracyclin, teryzoline, theobromine, theophylline, burizine, thiamazole, phenothiazines, thiotepa, tiagabine, tiapride, propionic acid derivatives, ticlopidine, timolol, tinidazol, tioconazole, tioguanine, tioxolone, tiropramide, tizanidine, tolazolinc, tolbutamide, tolcapone, tolnaftate, tolperisone, topotecan, torasemide, antioestrogens, tramadol, tramazoline, trandolapril, tranylcypromine, trapidil, trazodone, triamcinolone and triamcinolone derivatives, triamterene, trifluperidol, trifluridine, trimethoprim, trimipramine, tripelennamine, triprolidine, trifosfamide, tromantadine, trometamol, tropalpin, troxerutine, tulobutcrol, tyramine, tyrothracin, urapidil, ursodeoxycholic acid, chemodeoxycholic acid, valacirclovir, valproic acid, vancomycin, vecuronium chloride, Viagra, venlafaxine, verapamil, vidarabine, vigabatrine, viloazine, vinblastine, vincamine, vincristine, vindesine, vinorelbine, vinpocetine, viquidil, warfarin, xantinol nicotinate, xipamide, zafirlukast, zalcitabine, zidobudine, zolmitriptan, Zolpidem, zoplicone, zotipine and the like. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, various alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be apparent to and may subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.