Abstract:
Devices and methods useful in surgical processes that require structural attachment to bone such as spinal vertebrae. More specifically, an improved bone implant having a band there through for the purpose of correcting and/or preventing curvature of the spine.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional, international patent application claiming the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/086,943 filed Dec. 3, 2015, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains generally to devices and methods useful in surgical processes that require structural attachment to bone such as spinal vertebrae. More specifically, the present invention is particularly, but not exclusively useful, as an improved bone implant having a band there through for the purpose of correcting and/or preventing curvature of the spine. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Spinal fusion have been known as a procedure providing stabilization of the spine for sufferers of ailments such as scoliosis, or other pathologic curvatures of the spine. Initially in performing this procedure, supplemental bone is laid down and plates and/or screws, which are configured to receive a rod, are inserted into the vertebrae of the spine so that the spine is stabilized and/or fixed from thither curvature by means of arresting further spinal growth. The plates are specifically configured to specially designed pedicles that protrude from a posterior part of the spine. Spinal fusion, used to treat scoliosis and other pathologies of the spine, is utilized in mature patients wherein the spine is fully grown. However, it is not particularly well suited for juvenile patients wherein the spine is still growing. 
         [0004]    Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the prevalent form of scoliosis and typically occurs after the age of 10. Girls are more likely to develop this form of scoliosis which may have a genetic component as the cause. Although minor curvature of the spine may be caused by injury or infection, structural scoliosis of unknown origin, may result from any of a number of causes leading to its development. A healthy spine has a subtle S shape starting from the cervical spine down to the lumbar spine when viewed from the side and a largely straight line along the y-axis when viewed from front or back. Deviations of the spine from the y-axis, known as lateral curvature, are categorized as thoracic, lumbar, thoracolumbar and double. A minor curvature, defined as a deviation of the spine of 10% or less from the y-axis may be treated noninvasively through observation or bracing. Significant curvature, defined as greater than 10% deviation from the y-axis is largely treated surgically. Since scoliosis is a progressive condition, if left untreated may be debilitating effects on the entire body, including but not limited to, rib deformity, shortness of breath, digestive problems, chronic fatigue, acute or dull back pain, leg, hip, and knee pain, acute headaches, mood swings, and menstrual disturbances. 
         [0005]    In light of the above, doctors have recently begun employing techniques on younger patients wherein patients must lie on their sides and plates and/or screws are attached to a lateral side body of the vertebrae. This procedure is however complicated and the lungs and other vital tissues being in the way while performing the task of inserting a plate and/or screws to a side, anterior or lateral portion of the spine. Specifically, the lung must often be collapsed and a sleeve inserted into the region allowing the surgeon to work through. However once completed, the side having the implant will have its growth halted in order to allow the opposite side to grow and “catch up” to the other side thereby straightening the curvature. Further complicating matters, the plates and/or screws configured to receive the rods have features and/or components that protrude and may aggravate lung and/or other adjacent tissues. One difference between the procedure of the present invention and the prior spinal fusion procedure, the metal rod of the prior art procedure is replaced by a cord, wherein the cord is more readily adjustable and is lower profile. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device and cord/band capable of comfortably performing the function of attaching to a vertebrae, on the side thereof, or to other bony structures or anatomy. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is an improved spine implant for the treatment of curvature of the spine. 
         [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a bone implant for treatment of curvature of the spine that is compatible with a growing spine in an adolescent or juvenile patient. 
         [0008]    It is another object Of the present invention to provide a bone implant comprised of a staple, bone screw and looking screw. 
         [0009]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hone implant wherein, the staple has a domed upper surface and a domed lower surface and rounded edges in order to reduce the irritation of soli tissue surrounding the spine. 
         [0010]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bone implant wherein the staple is further comprised of a plurality of spike protruding from the domed lower surface such that the spikes facilitate stable fixation to the vertebral bone and also the dispersion of forces exerted on the vertebral hone to which it is attached. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a hone implant wherein the bone screw is comprised of a first tapered end and a second flat end, the first tapered end and the second flat end defining the body of the length of the bone screw. 
         [0012]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bone implant wherein the bone screw has threads along the outer circumference of the length of said bone screw, the threads being of varying patterns or pitches. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bone implant wherein the staple has at least an inner, lower set of threads corresponding with at least one set of threads on the hone screw such that the staple and bone screw lock together upon insertion to the vertebral bone. 
         [0014]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bone implant wherein the staple has an inner fiat surface wherein the second flat end of the bone screw lies flush with and adjacent to the inner flat surface. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a bone implant wherein the locking screw is comprised of a domed upper surface and a domed, or otherwise configured, lower surface and further having threads around the outer circumference of the locking screw the threads being disposed between the domed upper surface and the domed lower surface. 
         [0016]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bone implant wherein the staple has an inner set of threads, the inner threads corresponding to the threads on the outer circumference of the locking screw. 
         [0017]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bone implant wherein the installed implant creates a smooth margin with the vertebral bone to which it is attached. 
         [0018]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of installing the bone implant for treatment of a curvature of the spine. 
         [0019]    A first embodiment of the present invention provides a bone implant for treatment of curvature of the spine that is compatible with a growing spine in an adolescent or juvenile patient. 
         [0020]    A second embodiment of the present invention provides a bone implant comprised of a staple, bone screw and locking screw. 
         [0021]    A third embodiment of the present invention provides a bone implant wherein the staple has a domed upper surface and a domed lower surface in order to reduce the irritation of soft tissue surrounding the spine. 
         [0022]    A fourth embodiment of the present invention provides a bone implant wherein the staple is further comprised of a plurality of spike protruding from the domed lower surface such that the spikes facilitate secure fixation as well as the dispersion of forces exerted on the vertebral bone to which it is attached. 
         [0023]    A fifth embodiment of the present invention provides a bone implant wherein the bone screw is comprised of a first tapered end and a second fiat end, the first tapered end and the second flat end defining the body of the length of the bone screw. 
         [0024]    A sixth embodiment of the present invention provides a bone implant wherein the bone screw has threads along the outer circumference of the length of said bone screw, the threads being of varying patterns or pitches. 
         [0025]    A seventh embodiment of the preset invention provides a bone implant wherein the staple has at least an inner, lower set of threads corresponding with at least one set of threads on the bone screw such that the staple and bone screw lock together upon insertion within the vertebral bone. 
         [0026]    An eighth embodiment of the present invention provides a bone implant wherein the staple has an inner flat surface wherein the second flat end of the bone screw lies flush with and adjacent to the inner flat surface. In an alternative embodiment, the bone screw is available to slightly engage the locking screw. 
         [0027]    A ninth embodiment of the present invention provides a bone implant wherein the locking screw is comprised of a domed upper surface and a domed lower surface and further having threads around the outer circumference of the locking screw the threads being disposed between the domed upper surface and the domed lower surface. 
         [0028]    A tenth embodiment of the present invention provides a bone implant wherein the staple and the bone screw each possess a corresponding cut out, the cut out accommodating the placement of a tether cord. 
         [0029]    An eleventh embodiment of the present invention provides a bone implant wherein the installed implant creates a smooth margin with the vertebral bone to which it is attached. 
         [0030]    A twelfth embodiment of the present invention provides a bone implant wherein the staple and bone screw are combined in a single unit, wherein the single unit possesses the feature of the top surface of the staple and the lower features of the bone screw. 
         [0031]    A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a method of installing the bone implant for treatment of a curvature of the spine, the method comprising:
       attaching a staple to a vertebrae of the spine of a patient;   inserting a bone screw through the staple and into the vertebrae;   tightening the bone screw using a screwdriver tool;   aligning a tether cord perpendicular to the vertebrae and along a cut-out in the top of the staple;   inserting the locking screw into an exposed flat end of the bone screw; and   tightening the locking screw using a screwdriver tool;   wherein the tightening of the locking screw secures the bone implant into the vertebrae to which it is attached.       
 
         [0039]    The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are represented by like characters. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0040]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its function, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0041]      FIG. 1  illustrates a rear view of a spine having an exemplary curvature deformity; 
           [0042]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a spine having a plate and screw affixed to a side vertebrae; 
           [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates an additional side view thereof showing a screw configured to receive a cord there through; 
           [0044]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of the components of the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 5( a ) and ( b  )  illustrate an exemplary threaded staple of the present invention; ( a ) shows a top perspective view and ( b ) shows a side perspective view; 
           [0046]      FIG. 6( a )-( d )  illustrate an exemplary attachment screw of the present invention; ( a ) shows a side perspective view, ( b ) shows a side view, ( c ) shows a top perspective view and ( d ) shows a cross-section view; 
           [0047]      FIG. 7( a )-( c )  illustrate an exemplary set screw of the present invention; ( a ) shows a top perspective view, ( b ) shows a side perspective view and ( c ) shows a side view; 
           [0048]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side perspective view of the screwdriver tool of the present invention; and 
           [0049]      FIG. 9( a )-( c )  illustrates an exemplary staple/screw combination of the present invention; ( a ) shows a top view, ( b ) shows a side view of a first embodiment and ( c ) shows a side view of an alternative embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0050]    With regard to  FIG. 1 , the rear view of a spine having scoliosis is shown by way of background.  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  are illustrative of procedure affixing a plate/staple to a side of the anterior vertebrae of the spine. A screw configured through the plate has a head configured to receive a cord that can be tightened. Tightening of the cord provides compressive forces to one side of the spine while providing tensile forces to the opposite side during normal growth of the spine in juveniles. 
         [0051]    As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the screw utilized in the prior art procedure in the posterior of the spine has a high profile which is uncomfortable when protruding from one side of the spine potentially aggravating the patient&#39;s lung and/or other surrounding tissues. The improved spine implant of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 4 . The hone implant  100  is further comprised of staple  10 , bone screw  20  and locking screw  30  which when combined with a tether cord provides improvements to spine implants over the prior art. A plurality of bone implants  100  may be utilized along the length of the spine as necessary in order to facilitate correction of existing curvature. 
         [0052]    With regard to  FIG. 5 a    and  5   b,  staple  10  is shown in greater detail. In particular, staple  10  serves to facilitate locking of the tether cord (not shown) to bone implant  100  as well as disperse forces along the vertebral bone to which it is attached. In an exemplary embodiment, staple  10  is comprised, of a domed upper surface  11  and domed lower surface  12 , lower surface  12  having a plurality of spikes  13  for penetrating the vertebral bone. The domed shape of staple  10  serves to create smooth margins thereby eliminating any irritation of surrounding soft tissue and also more accurately matching the structural anatomy of the vertebral bone to which it is attached. Staple  10  may further include lower inner threads  14  for engaging with a bone screw  20  (not shown) thereby locking the staple  10  and hone screw  20  (not shown) together. Lower inner threads  14  may also accommodate a tool for installing staple  10  to the vertebral bone surface. Staple  10  may further include upper inner threads  15  for engaging with the locking screw  30  (not shown) thereby locking staple  10  and locking screw  30  (not shown) together. Staple  10  may also include an inner flat surface  17  to which locking screw  30  (not shown) will abut when secured and lock the tether cord within the implant. Domed upper surface  11  may have a cut-out  16  for accommodation of the tether cord. In a preferred embodiment, the cut-out  16  extends downward to intersect with the inner flat surface  17 . A special instrument may interact with a further feature around the circumference or any surface of staple  10  to facilitate tensioning of the tether cord and implant complex. 
         [0053]    With regard to  FIG. 6 a   - d,  bone screw  20  is shown in greater detail. In particular, bone screw  20  secures staple  10  to the vertebral bone thereby locking staple  10  into place. In an exemplary embodiment, bone screw  20  is comprised of a tapered first end  21  and a flattened second end  22 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   . Flattened second end  22  may further include a tool feature  23  for instrument engagement. Flattened second end  22  may also include a cut-out  25  to accommodate at tightening instrument. Threads  24  of bone screw  20  may have separate and/or varying patterns or pitches alone the length of hone screw  20 , including but not limited to, a combination of cancellous and cortical thread patterns or pitches to maximize attachment to the vertebral bone. Bone screw  20  may further include differing or varying diameters along its length.  FIG. 6 c    shows a clear view of tool feature  23  and  FIG. 6 d    illustrates tool feature  23  extending through the entire length of the bone screw  20 . 
         [0054]    With regard to  FIG. 7 a   - c,  locking screw  30  is shown in greater detail. In particular, locking screw  30  serves to lock or secure the tether cord component between staple  10  and locking screw  30 . In an exemplary embodiment, locking screw  30  is comprised of domed upper surface  31  and domed lower surface  32 , whereby domed upper surface  31  creates a smooth margin so as to not irritate soft tissue surround the spine and domed lower surface  32  creates a locking force against the tether cord without causing damage. The length of locking screw  30  further includes threads  33  which lock the locking screw  30  into staple  10  of the implant system. Domed upper surface  31  further includes a tool feature  34  in the center, or other location(s), for a screwdriver instrument to engage. Alternatively, locking screw  30  may have protrusion on domed lower surface  32  to assist in securing the tether cord. 
         [0055]    The tether cord component of the implant system is positioned between and adjacent to staple  10  and bone screw  20  within the cut-out  16  of staple  10  and connects adjacent implant systems attached to adjacent vertebrae. The tether cord allows for tensioning of adjacent implant systems. The tether cord may be flat, round, oblong, elliptical or any other shape desired and may be composed of a synthetic, natural or biologic material. 
         [0056]    With regard to  FIG. 8 , an exemplary screwdriver tool  40  is illustrated. Screwdriver tool  40  is comprised of a neck  41  having a handle  42  at the first end and a tool instrument  43  at the second end. Tool instrument  43  corresponds in shape to the tool features of staple  10 , hone screw  20  and locking screw  30 . 
         [0057]    With regard to  FIG. 9 a - c    an exemplary staple/bone screw  50  in a single unit is illustrated. In particular, the staple/bone screw  50  may or may not have a plurality of spikes for fixation of the staple/bone screw to bone and dispersal of forces. The staple/bone screw  50  is comprised of a tapered first end  51  resembling bone screw  20  (not shown) and a domed top end  52  resembling a staple  10  (not shown). The domed top end  52  of staple/bone screw  50  is further comprised of cut-out  55  to accommodate a tether cord, tool feature  53  and inner threads  57  for locking of the locking screw (not shown). The length of staple/bone screw  50  includes uniform threads  54  or varied threads  56 . 
         [0058]    While the particular invention as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims. 
         [0059]    Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.