Intervertebral connecting elements
A system for stabilizing a vertebral joint comprises a connection element adapted to extend through a first vertebral body, through a vertebral endplate of the first vertebral body, through a vertebral endplate of a second vertebral body, and through the second vertebral body.
1 . A system for stabilizing a vertebral joint comprising:
a first connection element adapted to extend through a first pedicle of a first vertebra, through at least a portion of a vertebral body of the first vertebra, and into an endplate of a second vertebra and
a second connection element adapted to extend through a second pedicle of a first vertebra, through at least a portion of the vertebral body of the first vertebra, and into the endplate of the second vertebra.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first connection element further extends into at least a portion of a vertebral body of the second vertebra.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first connection element further extends through an outer wall of a vertebral body of the second vertebra.
4 . The system of claim 3 further comprising:
an anchoring component attached to the first connection element at the outer wall.
5 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first connection element extends into a first portion of the endplate of the second vertebra laterally opposite from the first pedicle.
6 . The system of claim 2 wherein the second connection element extend into a second portion of the endplate of the second vertebra laterally opposite from the second pedicle.
7 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first connection element is formed of synthetic material.
8 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first connection element is formed of graft tendon.
9 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a first cannulated pedicle screw adapted to engage the first pedicle and receive the first connection element and
a second cannulated pedicle screw adapted to engage the second pedicle and receive the second connection element.
10 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a prosthetic device adapted for insertion between the first and second vertebrae and further adapted to accept through passage of the first and second connection elements.
11 . The system of claim 10 wherein the prosthetic device is a nucleus replacement device.
12 . The system of claim 10 wherein the prosthetic device is an intervertebral disc prosthesis.
13 . The system of claim 10 wherein the prosthetic device is adapted for fusing the first and second vertebrae.
14 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second connection elements limit lateral bending of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra.
15 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second connection elements limit translation of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra.
16 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second connection elements limit axial rotation of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra.
17 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first connection element further extends through a pedicle of the second vertebra.
18 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a third connection element adapted to extend through a pedicle of the second vertebra, through a vertebral body of the second vertebra, and into an endplate of the first vertebra.
19 . A method of stabilizing a vertebral joint between first and second vertebrae, the method comprising:
creating a first passage through a first pedicle of the first vertebra and into a vertebral body of the first vertebra;
guiding a first connection element into the first passage and through the vertebral body of the first vertebra; and
guiding the first connection element into the second vertebra.
20 . The method of claim 19 further comprising:
creating a second passage through a second pedicle of the first vertebra and into the vertebral body of the first vertebra;
guiding a second connection element into the second passage and through the vertebral body of the first vertebra;
guiding the second connection element into the second vertebra.
21 . The method of claim 20 wherein the second connection element crosses the first connection element.
22 . The method of claim 19 wherein the step of creating comprises drilling the first passage.
23 . The method of claim 22 wherein the drilling is performed with a flexible drill.
24 . The method of claim 19 wherein the step of creating the first passage is conducted under radiographic guidance.
25 . The method of claim 19 further comprising:
anchoring the first connection element to an outer wall of the second vertebra.
26 . The method of claim 19 further comprising:
adding a stopper feature to the first connection element to anchor the first connection element to the second vertebra.
27 . The method of claim 19 further comprising:
inserting a cannulated pedicle screw into the first passage and
guiding the first connection element through the cannulated pedicle screw.
28 . The method of claim 19 further comprising:
passing the first connection element through a prosthetic device, wherein the prosthetic device is positioned between the first and second vertebrae.
29 . The method of claim 19 wherein the steps of creating and guiding are performed using minimally invasive instrumentation.
30 . A system for stabilizing a vertebral joint comprising:
means for connecting a first pedicle of a first vertebra to a vertebral body of a second vertebra and
means for connecting a second pedicle of the first vertebra to the vertebral body of the second vertebra.
31 . The system of claim 30 further comprising means for replacing at least a portion of a spinal disc.
32 . A system for stabilizing a vertebral joint comprising:
a connection element adapted to extend through a first vertebral body, through a vertebral endplate of the first vertebral body, through a vertebral endplate of a second vertebral body, and through the second vertebral body.