Granted Patent B2

US 7,335,200 · App. 10/395,094 · Granted Feb 26, 2008

Abstract

Claims (18)

1. An osteosynthesis device for a vertebral column, the device comprising at least one elastically deformable connection system connected at opposite ends to at least first and second fixing portions suitable for being fixed to vertebrae by means of bone anchoring elements,

wherein the elastically deformable connection system comprises:

a deformable connection member presenting:

in a “sagittal” plane, determined stiffness for exerting a return force on flexion-extension movements between the fixing portions;

in a “frontal” plane perpendicular to the sagittal plane, determined stiffness for exerting a return force on lateral inflexion movements between first and second fixing portions, the stiffness of the deformable connection member in the frontal plane being less than its stiffness in the sagittal plane; and

along an axis defined by the intersection between the sagittal and frontal planes, determined stiffness for exerting a return force on traction-compression movements between the fixing portions;

and means for limiting flexion-extension, traction-compression, and lateral inflexion movements between the fixing portions, said means comprising a box having an inside surface; wherein the deformable connection member is mounted inside the box such that a space is defined between the inside surface of the box and the deformable connection member to allow movement of the deformable connection member relative to the box; and

wherein the deformable connection member is implemented by means of a flat element extending in the frontal plane and presenting thickness in the sagittal plane, the flat element possessing at least a first end connected to the first fixing portion and a second end connected to the second fixing portion.

2. An osteosynthesis device according to claim 1 , wherein the flat element presents a curved profile in the frontal plane, the curved profile preferably being lyre-shaped with its ends being connected to the fixing portions.

3. An osteosynthesis device according to claim 1 , wherein the flat element presents a right cross-section that is quadrangular in shape.

4. An osteosynthesis device according to claim 1 , wherein the flat element is disposed in the box provided with the first fixing portion which is connected to a first end of the flat element, the box having a passage for the second fixing portion which projects outside the box and which is connected to the second end of the flat element.

5. An osteosynthesis device according to claim 1 , wherein the means for limiting flexion-extension, traction-compression, and lateral inflexion movements are constituted by abutment zones presented by the box and co-operating with zones of a flat element.

6. An osteosynthesis device according to claim 1 , wherein the means for limiting flexion-extension movements are constituted by longitudinal edges defining a passage for the second fixing portion.

7. An osteosynthesis device according to claim 1 , wherein the means for limiting traction-compression movements further comprises a shoulder provided on an interior surface of the box against which a collar made on the second end of a flat element comes into abutment.

8. An osteosynthesis device according to claim 1 , wherein the means for limiting lateral inflexion movements are constituted by transverse edges defining the passage for the second fixing portion.

9. An osteosynthesis device according to claim 1 , wherein a first fixing portion is provided with a circular through hole for passing an anchoring element, and wherein a second fixing portion is provided with an oblong through hole for passing an anchoring element.

10. An osteosynthesis device according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing portions present an alignment offset in the sagittal plane.

11. An osteosynthesis device according to claim 1 , including means enabling movements between the fixing portions to be adjusted selectively.

Assignments (13)