Patent Publication Number: US-2010121383-A1

Title: Method, system, and apparatus for mammalian bony segment stabilization

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Various embodiments described herein relate generally to stabilizing mammalian bony segments, including systems and methods employing an elongated element to stabilize one or more mammalian bony segments. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     It may be desirable to stabilize one or more bony segments via an elongated element, the present invention provides such treatment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified diagram of mammalian bony segment stabilization architecture according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2A  is a simplified, isometric front view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system elongated element according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2B  is a simplified, isometric rear view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system elongated element according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2C  is a simplified, isometric front, partial view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system elongated element bony fixation element coupling segment according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2D  is a simplified, isometric front, partial view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system elongated element bony fixation element retention module cavity according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified, isometric diagram of a bony fixation element retention module according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 4A  is a simplified, partial front view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system including an elongated element, a bony fixation element retention module, and a bony fixation element according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 4B  is a simplified, partial side view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system including an elongated element, a bony fixation element retention module, and bony fixation element according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified, partial side view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system including an elongated element, bony fixation element retention module, a bony fixation element, and a bony fixation element retention module deflection pin according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 6A  is a simplified, partial side view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system including an elongated element, a bony fixation element retention module, a bony fixation element, a bony fixation element retention module deflection pin, and a fixation element driver according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 6B  is a simplified, full side view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system including an elongated element, bony fixation element retention module, bony fixation element, a bony fixation element retention module deflection pin, and a fixation element driver according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a simplified, full side isometric view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system fixation element driver according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a simplified, full side isometric view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system bony fixation element retention module deflection pin tool according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 9A-9B  are flow diagrams illustrating mammalian bony segment stabilization processing algorithms according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a simplified diagram of a mammalian bony segment stabilization architecture  220  according to various embodiments. The architecture  220  includes a mammalian bony segment stabilization system  230  coupled to a plurality of bony regions  222 . The bony segment stabilization system  230  includes an elongated element  10  extending to at least two or more bony regions  222  to be stabilized. The elongated element  10  may include at least one opening ( 20  in  FIG. 2A ) adjacent or within the two or more bony regions  222 . The elongated element  10  may be fixably coupled to each bony region  222  via the opening  20  and a bony coupling element  40  such as a screw, pin, or other bony region coupling or fixation element. 
     In the embodiment  230  the elongated element  10  includes two openings  20  that may accommodate at least one bony fixation element  40 . The system  230  couples three bony regions  222  in an each embodiment and includes six openings  20  and six corresponding spinal fixation elements  40 . The elongated element  10  may also include an opening  18  that may enable a user to insert or visualize implants in the region  224  and visually inspect the region  224 . The implants may be comprised of any biocompatible material including bone, polymers, and metals. Further the elongated element  10  may be comprised of any biocompatible material including bone, polymers, and metals. 
     In an embodiment the bony segment stabilization system  230  further includes at least one bony fixation element retention module  100 . The bony fixation element retention module  100  may engage a bony fixation element  40  via a slot  26  in an opening  20  ( FIG. 2C ). The bony fixation element retention module  100  may include at least one arm  106  ( FIG. 3 ) where the arm  106  may limit or prevent bony fixation element  40  dislocation from a bony region  222  and may limit or prevent bony fixation element  40  projection beyond a front surface  28  ( FIG. 2A ) of the elongated element  10 . 
     In an embodiment one or more bony regions  222  may be separated by one or more non-bony elements  224 , for example bony regions  222  may be vertebra separated by spinal discs  224  in a cervical, thoracic, or lumbar region of a mammal including a human. In another embodiment the bony regions  222  may be part of a single, fractured bone to be stabilized such a femur or other long mammalian bone. 
       FIG. 2A  is a simplified, isometric front view and  FIG. 2B  is a simplified, isometric rear view of the mammalian bony segment stabilization system elongated element  10  according to various embodiments.  FIG. 2C  is a simplified, isometric front, partial view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system elongated element bony fixation element coupling segment according to various embodiments.  FIG. 2D  is a simplified, isometric front, partial view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system elongated element bony fixation element retention module cavity according to various embodiments. The elongated element  10  includes several bony fixation element openings  20 , implant and region openings  18 , and at least one bony fixation element retention cavity  24 . The elongated element  10  includes a front side  28 , rear side  25 , side portions  12 , a top portion  16 B, and a bottom portion  16 A. 
     In an embodiment the cavity  24  may be configured to hold a bony fixation element retention module ( 100  in  FIG. 3 ) in a robustly deformable manner. In an embodiment each bony fixation element opening  20  may have a sloped or partially spherical wall  22  that may engage an inverse or complementary shape of a bony fixation element  40  head  42 . The opening  20  may include a slot  26  coupling the bony fixation element retention module cavity  24  to the opening  20 . The module cavity  24  may be recessed with a configuration/shape complementary to the bottom of the bony fixation element retention module  100 . The retention module cavity  24  may further include retention module deflection pin access points or sites  32  in one or more corners. One or more pins  216  of a bony fixation element retention module deflection tool  210  ( FIG. 8 ) may be insertable into the retention module deflection pin access points  32  as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 A, and  6 B. 
       FIG. 3  is a simplified, isometric diagram of a bony fixation element retention module  100  according to various embodiments. The module  100  includes a central axis  105  with two deformable arms  104 A,  104 B each coupled to bony fixation element retention arm  102 A,  102 B. Each bony fixation element retention arm  102 A,  102 B may include a convex  106 , flat  106 A, or concave  106 B end. In an embodiment a bony fixation element retention arm  102 A or  102 B is extended from the cavity  24  through a first slot  26  and the end  106  of the arm  102 A,  102 B extends into the opening  20 . The other bony fixation element retention arm  102 A or  102 B is extended from the cavity  24  through the opposite slot  26  and the end  106  of the other arm  102 A,  102 B extends into an opposite opening  20 . The retention module  100  may include insets  108 A,  108 B where the insets may be engaged by a pin  216  of a bony fixation element retention module deflection tool  210  ( FIG. 8 ). The arms  102 A,  102 B may move restoratively toward the central axis  105  in the direction shown by  107 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a simplified, partial front view and  FIG. 4B  is a simplified, partial side view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system  230  including an elongated element  10 , a bony fixation element retention module  100 , and bony fixation element  40  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  the retention module  100  arms  102 A and  102 B extend into openings  20  and prevent or limit the movement of the bony fixation element  40  and may limit or prevent the bony fixation element  40  head  42  from extending beyond the elongated element  10  front section  28 . The bony fixation element  40  may include a head  42  and a shaft  44 . In an embodiment the shaft  44  may include a tip  48  and a thread  46 . The head  42  may include a tool compatible recess, in an embodiment a female hexagonal recess for a male hexagonal tool ( 200  of  FIG. 7  with male hexagonal tip  206 .) 
       FIG. 5  is a simplified, partial side view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system  230  including an elongated element  10 , a bony fixation element retention module  100 , a bony fixation element  40 , and a bony fixation element retention module deflection pin tool  210  according to various embodiments. In to remove the bony fixation element  40 , the retention module  100  arm  102 A may be reversibly deflected from the opening  20  toward the module  100  center axis  105 . The bony fixation element may then be removed. The retention module  100  arm  102 A may be reversibly deflected from the opening  20  toward the module  100  center axis  105  in order to employ a bony fixation element  40  within a bony region through the opening  20 . 
       FIG. 6A  is a simplified, partial side view and  FIG. 6B  is a simplified, full side view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system  230  including an elongated element  10 , a bony fixation element retention module  100 , a bony fixation element  40 , a bony fixation element retention module deflection pin tool  210 , and a bony fixation element driver  200  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , pins  216  of pin tool  210  may engage the recesses  108 A of the retention module  100  via the pin access points  32  of the elongated element  10 . A bony fixation element driver  200  may include a male head  206  that may engage a female recess of the bony fixation element  40 . The retention module  100  arm  102 A may be reversibly deflected from the opening  20  toward the module  100  center axis  105  via the pins  216  of the pin tool  210  in order to operate the driver  200  to either insert or remove a bony fixation element  40  in or from within a bony region  222  through the opening  20 . 
       FIG. 7  is a simplified, full side isometric view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system fixation element driver  200  according to various embodiments. The driver  200  includes a handle  202 , shaft  204 , and tip  208 . In an embodiment the tip  208  includes a male hexagonal head  206 . The driver  200  may be used to engage a bony fixation element female recess  42  in order to operate the bony fixation element  40 . One or more bony fixation elements  40  may be employed to couple the elongated element  10  to one or more bony regions  222 . 
       FIG. 8  is a simplified, full side isometric view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system bony fixation element retention module deflection pin tool  210  according to various embodiments. The pin tool  210  may include a handle  212 , shaft  214 , and a slanted tip  218 . The slanted tip  218  may include one or more deflection pins  216 . As noted, the retention module  100  arm  102 A may be reversibly deflected from the opening  20  toward the module  100  center axis  105  via the pins  216  of the pin tool  210  in order to operate the driver  200  to either insert or remove a bony fixation element  40  in or from within a bony region  222  through the opening  20 . 
       FIG. 9A-9B  are flow diagrams illustrating mammalian bony segment stabilization processing algorithms  300  and  320  according to various embodiments. The algorithm  300  may be employed to stabilize one or more bony regions  222 . A user such as a surgeon may place an elongated element  10  having a plurality of openings  20  over or adjacent to at least one region  222  to be stabilized (activity  302 ). A user may then create or tap openings in the region  222  corresponding to one or more openings  20  of the elongated element  10 . The tapped openings may correspond to the bony fixation element(s) to be insert through the elongated element  10  openings  20  to stabilize the region(s)  222  (activity  304 ). 
     A user may then insert the bony fixation driver tool  200  tip  208  into a corresponding segment a bony fixation element  40  where the bony fixation element  40  is to be inserted into the tapped opening (activity  306 ). A user may then drive the bony fixation element  40  through an opening  20  of the elongated element  10  into bony region(s)  222  to be stabilized (activity  308 ), thereby deflecting an arm  102 A,  102 B of the retention module  100 . A user may continue driving the bony fixation element  40  through the opening  20  of the elongated element  10  into bony region(s)  222  to be stabilized (activity  308 ), while deflecting the arm  102 A,  102 B of the retention module  100  until a desired torque is obtained (activity  310 ) or the bony fixation element  40  head  42  lies below the elongated element  10  face  28 . A user may repeat activities  306 ,  308 ,  310  until all the desired bony fixation elements  40  have been inserted (activity  312 ). 
     The algorithm  320  may be employed to remove one or more bony fixation elements  40  of a mammalian bony segment stabilization system  230 . A user may then insert one or more pins  216  of a bony retention module deflection tool  210  into a corresponding recess  32  of an elongated element  10  and adjacent a recess  108 A,  108 B of a retention module  100  where the retention module  100  arms  102 A,  102 B is located in the elongated element  10  opening  20  occupied by the bony fixation element  40  to be removed (activity  322 ). A user may then insert the bony fixation driver tool  200  tip  208  into a corresponding segment a bony fixation element  40  where the bony fixation element  40  is to be removed from the elongated element  10  opening  20  (activity  324 ). A user may extract the bony fixation element  40  through the opening  20  of the elongated element  10  from a bony region(s)  222  while the arm  102 A,  102 B of the retention module  100  is deflected by the deflection tool  210  until the bony fixation element is extracted (activity  326 ). A user may repeat activities  322 ,  324 ,  326  until all the desired bony fixation elements  40  have been extracted (activity  320 ). 
     The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted to require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may be found in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.