Apparatus for insertion into an implantation space
View Patent ↗A spinal fixation device for stabilizing one or more segments of the human spine and for preventing the dislodgement of intervertebral spinal fusion implants, which remains permanently fixated once applied. The spinal fixation device of the present invention comprises of a staple member made of material appropriate for human surgical implantation which is of sufficient length to span the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and to engage, via essentially perpendicular extending projections, the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. A portion of the staple of the spinal fixation device interdigitates with an already implanted intervertebral spinal fusion implant which itself spans the disc space to engage the adjacent vertebrae, and the spinal fixation device is bound to the spinal fusion implant by a locking means. The spinal fixation device of the present invention is of great utility in restraining the vertebrae adjacent to the spinal fusion implant from moving apart as the spine is extended and also serves as an anchor for a multi-segmental spinal alignment means for aligning more that one segment of the spine.
1. An apparatus for implantation at least in part in the disc space between naturally adjacent vertebral bodies, comprising:
at least two devices adapted to be fixedly attached to one another within the same disc space, each of said devices including surfaces for contacting the endplates of each of the adjacent vertebral bodies, and each of said devices having an end wall, said end wall defining a recess therein, and a threaded opening therethrough;
a connection member configured to be received within said recess of each of said devices to thereby connect said devices, wherein said connection member includes a through hole; and
a fastener for securing said connection member to at least one of said devices, said fastener being received in said through hole of said connection member and said threaded opening of said at least one of said devices.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said recess and said connection member cooperate to limit rotation of said devices.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said devices include upper and lower portions with a plurality of openings for permitting bone growth from one of the adjacent vertebral bodies through each of said devices to the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a hollow interior within each of said devices, said hollow interior being in communication with at least two of said plurality of openings.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said devices have upper and lower portions that are arcuate.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said devices further comprise a protrusion for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said protrusion of said upper and lower portions of said devices is a thread.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said connector is selected from one of a rod, a cable, a plate, and a bar.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of harvested bone, hydroxyapatite, and bone morphogenetic protein.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said fastener is a screw.
12. An apparatus for insertion into an implantation space formed at least in part in the disc space between two naturally adjacent vertebral bodies of the human spine, said apparatus comprising:
at least two devices adapted to be fixedly attached within the same implantation space, each of said devices including surfaces adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebral bodies, and each of said devices having an end wall, said end wall having a recess therein;
a connection member configured to fit into said recess of each of said devices for connecting said devices, wherein said connection member includes a through hole; and
a fastener for securing said connection member to at least one of said devices, said fastener being received in said through hole of said connection member and a threaded opening of said at least one of said devices.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said devices include upper and lower portions with a plurality of openings for permitting bone growth from one of the adjacent vertebral bodies through each of said devices to the other of the adjacent vertebral bodies.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising a hollow interior within each of said devices, said hollow interior being in communication with at least two of said plurality of openings.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said devices have upper and lower portions that are arcuate.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said devices further comprise a protrusion for engaging the adjacent vertebral bodies.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said connector is selected from one of a rod, a cable, a plate, and a bar.
18. The apparatus of claim 12 , in combination with a fusion promoting substance.
19. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said fusion promoting substance includes at least one of harvested bone, hydroxyapatite, and bone morphogenetic protein.