Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8057517?dq=U.S.+patent+number+7,325,728
Timestamp: 2014-09-01 14:46:31
Document Index: 308143065

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61']

Patent US8057517 - Load-sharing component having a deflectable post and centering spring and ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA dynamic spinal stabilization component which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. The component is selectably attachable to a bone anchor for implantation in a bone of the spine. The component and bone anchor provide load sharing while preserving range of motion...http://www.google.com/patents/US8057517?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8057517 - Load-sharing component having a deflectable post and centering spring and method for dynamic stabilization of the spineAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS8057517 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/566,553Publication dateNov 15, 2011Filing dateSep 24, 2009Priority dateFeb 26, 2008Also published asUS8057515, US20100030268, US20100036422Publication number12566553, 566553, US 8057517 B2, US 8057517B2, US-B2-8057517, US8057517 B2, US8057517B2InventorsJohn J. Flynn, Charles J. Winslow, Steven T. Mitchell, James F. Zucherman, Ken Y. Hsu, Henry A. Klyce, H. Adam R. KlyceOriginal AssigneeSpartek Medical, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (105), Non-Patent Citations (16), Referenced by (4), Classifications (28), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetLoad-sharing component having a deflectable post and centering spring and method for dynamic stabilization of the spineUS 8057517 B2Abstract A dynamic spinal stabilization component which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. The component is selectably attachable to a bone anchor for implantation in a bone of the spine. The component and bone anchor provide load sharing while preserving range of motion and reducing stress exerted upon the bone anchors and spinal anatomy. The dynamic spinal stabilization component includes a deflectable post connected by a ball-joint to a threaded anchor. Deflection of the deflectable post is controlled by a centering spring. The force/deflection properties of the dynamic bone anchor may be adapted to the anatomy and functional requirements of the patient. The dynamic spinal stabilization component may be used as a component of a dynamic stabilization system which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion.
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/100,593 filed Sep. 26, 2008, entitled �A Spine Implant With A Deflection Rod System Selectively Alignable And Selectively Lockable To A Bone Anchor And Method�; and
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/100,625 filed Sep. 26, 2008, entitled �Versatile Components And Methods For Dynamic Stabilization�; and
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/119,651 filed Dec. 3, 2008, entitled �Load-sharing Component Having A Deflectable Post And Methods For Dynamic Spinal Stabilization�; and
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/122,658 filed Dec. 15, 2008, entitled �Load-sharing Component Having A Deflectable Post And Methods For Dynamic Spinal Stabilization�; and
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/144,426 filed Jan. 13, 2009, entitled �Load-sharing Component Having A Deflectable Post And Methods For Dynamic Spinal Stabilization�; and
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/225,478 filed Jul. 14, 2009, entitled �Load-sharing Component Having A Deflectable Post And Methods For Dynamic Spinal Stabilization�; and
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/167,789 filed Apr. 8, 2009, entitled �Load-sharing Component Having A Deflectable Post And Spring And Methods For Dynamic Spinal Stabilization�; and
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/217,556 filed Jun. 1, 2009, entitled �Load-sharing Component Having A Deflectable Post And Axially-Compressible Spring And Methods For Dynamic Spinal Stabilization�.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/130,395, filed May 30, 2008, entitled �A Deflection Rod System For A Dynamic Stabilization And Motion Preservation Spinal Implantation System And Method� which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/031,598 filed Feb. 26, 2008 and entitled �A Deflection Rod System For A Dynamic Stabilization And Motion Preservation Spinal Implantation System And Method�.
The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/130,095, filed May 30, 2008, entitled �A Spine Implant With A Deflection Rod System Including A Deflection Limiting Shield Associated With A Bone Screw And Method� which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/057,340 filed May 30, 2008, entitled �A Spine Implant With A Deflection Rod System Aligned With A Bone Anchor And Method�.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,485 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Versatile Polyaxial Connector Assembly And Method For Dynamic Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,487 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Versatile Offset Polyaxial Connector And Method For Dynamic Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,491 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Load-Sharing Bone Anchor Having A Deflectable Post and Method For Dynamic Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,494 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Load-Sharing Component Having A Deflectable Post And Method For Dynamic Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,498 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Load-Sharing Bone Anchor Having A Durable Compliant Member And Method For Dynamic Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,504 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Load-Sharing Bone Anchor Having A Deflectable Post With A Compliant Ring And Method For Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,507 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Load-Sharing Bone Anchor Having A Deflectable Post With A Compliant Ring And Method For Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,509 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Load-Sharing Bone Anchor Having A Deflectable Post And Method For Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,516 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Load-Sharing Bone Anchor Having A Deflectable Post And Method For Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,519 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Dynamic Spinal Rod And Method For Dynamic Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,522 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Dynamic Spinal Rod Assembly And Method For Dynamic Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,529 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Configurable Dynamic Spinal Rod And Method For Dynamic Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,531 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �A Spinal Prosthesis Having A Three Bar Linkage For Motion Preservation And Dynamic Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,534 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Surgical Tool And Method For Implantation of A Dynamic Bone Anchor�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,547 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Surgical Tool And Method For Connecting A Dynamic Bone Anchor and Dynamic Vertical Rod�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,551 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Load-Sharing Bone Anchor Having A Deflectable Post And Centering Spring And Method For Dynamic Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,553 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Load-Sharing Component Having A Deflectable Post And Centering Spring And Method For Dynamic Stabilization Of The Spine�; and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,559 filed Sep. 24, 2009, entitled �Load-Sharing Bone Anchor Having A Deflectable Post And Axial Spring And Method For Dynamic Stabilization Of The Spine�.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Back pain is a significant clinical problem and the costs to treat it, both surgical and medical, are estimated to be over $2 billion per year. One method for treating a broad range of degenerative spinal disorders is spinal fusion. Implantable medical devices designed to fuse vertebrae of the spine to treat have developed rapidly over the last decade. However, spinal fusion has several disadvantages including reduced range of motion and accelerated degenerative changes adjacent the fused vertebrae.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention includes a spinal implant system and methods that can dynamically stabilize the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. Embodiments of the invention provide a dynamic stabilization system which includes: versatile components, adaptable stabilization assemblies, and methods of implantation. An aspect of embodiments of the invention is the ability to stabilize two, three and/or more levels of the spine by the selection of appropriate components of embodiments of the invention for implantation in a patient. Another aspect of embodiments of the invention is the ability to accommodate particular anatomy of the patient by providing a system of versatile components which may be customized to the anatomy and needs of a particular patient and procedure. Another aspect of the invention is to facilitate the process of implantation and minimize disruption of tissues during implantation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a deflection system component mounted to an anchor system component according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention includes a versatile spinal implant system and methods which can dynamically stabilize the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. Alternative embodiments can be used for spinal fusion. An aspect of the invention is restoring and/or preserving the natural motion of the spine including the quality of motion as well as the range of motion. Still, another aspect of the invention is providing for load sharing and stabilization of the spine while preserving motion.
The terms �vertical� and �horizontal� are used throughout the detailed description to describe general orientation of structures relative to the spine of a human patient that is standing. This application also uses the terms proximal and distal in the conventional manner when describing the components of the spinal implant system. Thus, proximal refers to the end or side of a device or component closest to the hand operating the device, whereas distal refers to the end or side of a device furthest from the hand operating the device. For example, the tip of a bone screw that enters a bone would conventionally be called the distal end (it is furthest from the surgeon) while the head of the screw would be termed the proximal end (it is closest to the surgeon).
FIG. 1A shows a bone anchor 102 and a deflection rod 104 connected to a vertical rod 106 by a ball joint 108. In other embodiments, the vertical rod may be mounted directly to the deflection rod. Deflection rod 104 is an example of a component of the deflection system. Deflection rod 104 is a component having controlled flexibility which allows for load sharing. The deflection rod 104 provides stiffness and support where needed to support the loads exerted on the spine during normal spine motion, which loads, the soft tissues of the spine are no longer able to accommodate since these spine tissues are either degenerated or damaged. Load sharing is enhanced by the ability to select the appropriate stiffness of the deflection rod in order to match the load sharing characteristics desired. For embodiments of this invention, the terms �deflection rod� and �loading rod� can be used interchangeably. Deflection rods, deflection rod mountings and alternative deflection rods are described in more detail below.
Bone anchor 102 also includes a coupling 136 to which other components may be mounted. As shown in FIG. 1A, coupling 136 is the external cylindrical surface of housing 130. Housing 130 thus provides two mounting positions, one coaxial mounting position and one external (or offset) mounting position. Thus, a single bone anchor 102 can serve as the mounting point for one, two or more components. A deflection rod 104 may be coaxially mounted in the cavity 132 of the housing and one or more additional components may be externally mounted to the outer surface of the housing�coupling 136. For example, a component of the connection system may be mounted to the outer surface 136 of the housing�such a connector may be called an offset head or offset connector. In some applications, a component of the connection system may be coaxially-mounted in the cavity 132 in place of a deflection rod 104�such a connector may be called a coaxial head or coaxial connector.
The above-described coaxial connector and offset connector are provided by way of example only. Alternative embodiments of coaxial heads and offset connectors can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/100,625, filed Sep. 26, 2008 entitled �Versatile Assembly Components And Methods For A Dynamic Spinal Stabilization System� which is incorporated by reference. These coaxial heads and offset connectors may be used in conjunction with the components herein described to permit assembly of a dynamic stabilization system appropriate to the functional needs and anatomy of a particular patient. In addition screws having an integrated connector may also be utilized to anchor components of the dynamic stabilization system in fixed relationship to a vertebra, for example polyaxial screws.
The stiffness of deflection rod 200 is affected by the spring rate of spring 206. The stiffness of the deflection rod 200 can be changed for example by increasing the spring rate of spring 206 and conversely, the stiffness may be reduced by decreasing the spring rate of spring 206. The spring rate of the spring 206 can be, for example, increased by increasing the thickness of the lever arms 262 and/or decreasing the length of the lever arms 262. Alternatively and/or additionally changing the materials of the spring 206 can also affect the spring rate. For example, making spring 206 out of stiffer material increases the spring rate and thus reduces deflection of deflectable post 204 for the same amount of load�all other factors being equal. Spring 206 is preferably made of a biocompatible polymer or metal. Spring 206 may, for example, be made from PEEK, Bionate�, Nitinol, steel and/or titanium.
The spring rate of each spring element 460 may be controlled during design by choice of the design, dimensions and material of the spring element 460. For example, making the material of the spring elements 460 thicker or reducing the length of the spring element 460 can increase the spring rate of the spring element. Also, the material of the spring element 460 may be selected to achieve the desired force-deflection characteristics. The spring elements 460 may be identical thereby resulting in a force-deflection curve that is substantially uniform in all directions (isotropic). In other embodiments, the spring elements may have different spring rates thereby allowing the force-deflection curve of the deflection rod to be anisotropic�i.e. the deflection of delectable post 404 has different force-deflection characteristics in different directions.
FIG. 5B shows a sectional view of a deflection rod 500 assembled with a bone anchor 520. Ball-shaped retainer 502 may be locked in a ball-joint pocket in a variety of ways. Some suitable methods and devices for locking a ball in a ball-joint assembly are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,330 titled �Ball Joint Assembly� to O'Connell et al. which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As shown in FIG. 5B, ball-shaped retainer 502 fits in pocket 534 in the bottom of cavity 532 of housing 530. Pocket 534 is generally hemispherical. The entrance aperture 535 to pocket 534 is the same diameter as ball-shaped retainer 502. However, entrance aperture 535 includes a groove 533 which receives a split-ring 538. Split-ring 538 has a larger diameter than aperture 535 but split-ring 538 is compressed slightly during installation. After passing through aperture 535, split-ring 538 expands outwards to occupy groove 533. Split-ring 538, when positioned in groove 533, reduces the effective diameter of aperture 535 and thereby prevents removal of ball-shaped retainer 502. Other shapes of retainer and pocket may also be used as long as they pivotally secure the post 504 to the bone anchor 520 and allow the desired range of travel for post 504. In the deflection rod 500 of FIG. 5A-5B, no shield is needed between spring 506 and housing 530. By removing the thickness of the shield, the size/strength properties of the device may be enhanced.
The spring/spring elements in the deflection rod of FIGS. 5A-5B are designed to elastically deform in the radial direction (relative to post 504). Alternative designs of springs may be used to control deflection of post 504 including, for example, spring washers, Belleville washers/disc springs, CloverDome� spring washers, CloverSprings�, conical washers, wave washers, coil springs and finger washers. Examples of alternative springs which may be used in the deflection rod of FIGS. 5A-5B are shown in FIGS. 5D-5G.
The material of the spring is preferably a biocompatible and implantable polymer or metal having the desired deformation characteristics�elasticity and modulus. The material of the spring should also be able to maintain the desired deformation characteristics. Thus the material of the spring is preferably durable, resistant to oxidation and dimensionally stable under the conditions found in the human body. The spring may, for example be made from a PEEK or a polycarbonate urethane (PCU) such as Bionate� or a surgical steel or titanium or Nitinol. If the spring is comprised of Bionate�, a polycarbonate urethane or other hydrophilic polymer, the spring can also act as a fluid-lubricated bearing for rotation of the deflectable post relative to the longitudinal axis of the deflectable post.
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Website, 2007; Zimmer Spine, product description for Dynesis�The Dynamic Stabilization System, 5 pages, <http://www.zimmer.com/ctl?template=IN&action=1&op=global&id=9165&pr=Y>.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8197512 *Jul 16, 2008Jun 12, 2012Zimmer Spine, Inc.System and method for spine stabilization using resilient insertsUS8267979 *Sep 24, 2009Sep 18, 2012Spartek Medical, Inc.Load-sharing bone anchor having a deflectable post and axial spring and method for dynamic stabilization of the spineUS20100030279 *Sep 24, 2009Feb 4, 2010Spartek Medical, Inc.Load-sharing bone anchor having a deflectable post and axial spring and method for dynamic stabilization of the spineUS20110307018 *Jan 27, 2011Dec 15, 2011Spartek Medical, Inc.Adaptive spinal rod and methods for stabilization of the spine* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification606/257, 606/305International ClassificationA61B17/70Cooperative ClassificationA61B17/66, A61B17/7034, A61B2019/307, A61B17/7046, A61B17/7056, A61B17/7047, A61B17/7023, A61B17/7035, A61B17/7037, A61B17/7005, A61B17/7038, A61B17/7041, A61B17/7007, A61B17/863, A61B17/861European ClassificationA61B17/86B2, A61B17/70B, A61B17/70B1C2, A61B17/70B5, A61B17/86A2, A61B17/70B7, A61B17/70B1R, A61B17/70B5D, A61B17/70B5B, A61B17/70B6Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionOct 21, 2009ASAssignmentOwner name: SPARTEK MEDICAL, INC.,CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WINSLOW, CHARLES J.;MITCHELL, STEVEN T.;FLYNN, JOHN J. AND OTHERS;SIGNED BETWEEN 20091001 AND 20091013;US-ASSIGNMENT DATABASE UPDATED:20100211;REEL/FRAME:23400/50Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WINSLOW, CHARLES J.;MITCHELL, STEVEN T.;FLYNN, JOHN J.;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20091001 TO 20091013;REEL/FRAME:023400/0050Owner name: SPARTEK MEDICAL, INC., CALIFORNIARotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google