IP Library Granted Patent US 8,597,331
Granted Patent B2
US 8,597,331 · App. 11/296,470 · Granted Dec 3, 2013

Prosthetic spinous process and method

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,597,331
App. No.
11/296,470
Granted
Dec 3, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A prosthetic spinous process includes a member and a plurality of crosslinking rods connected to the member at an angle relative to each other, wherein the member includes at least one opening therethrough.

Claims (30)

1. A prosthetic spinous process, comprising:

a member having a first surface, a second surface generally opposite the first surface, and an opening extending between the first surface and the second surface, where the opening defines an axis substantially normal to a plane of symmetry defined between the first and second surfaces,

a plurality of crosslinking rods defining a first angle having a vertex, the plurality of crosslinking rods being connected to the member at the vertex and comprising a first generally cylindrical crosslinking rod extending from the first surface and a second generally cylindrical crosslinking rod extending from the second surface; and

a pedicle screw adjustably attached to each of the rods, the pedicle screws being constructed and arranged to be attached to an aspect of a spinal column wherein the member is offset dorsally and in a more caudal position than the pedicle screws.

2. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinking rods define a rod plane.

3. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 2 , wherein the rod plane and the plane of symmetry are disposed at a second angle of 80 to 100 degrees relative to one another.

4. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 3 , wherein the second angle is 85 to 95 degrees.

5. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 3 , wherein the second angle is 90 degrees.

6. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 2 , wherein the opening is disposed above or below the rod plane.

7. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 2 , wherein the opening is disposed above the rod plane.

8. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 2 , wherein the opening is disposed below the rod plane.

9. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 , wherein the angle of the rods relative to each other is 110 to 170 degrees.

10. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 , wherein the opening is adapted to allow one or more tensile elements to pass therethrough.

11. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 , wherein the member has a parallelpiped, square, rectangular, ovoid, circular, or triangular shape.

12. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 , wherein the member further comprises at least one second opening.

13. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 , wherein the prosthetic spinous process is connected to at least one artificial ligament, cushion, tensile element, spinal reconstructive device, posterior artificial ligament, posterior dynamic system, posterior arthrodesis stabilization system, or a combination thereof.

14. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 , wherein the opening is available at a vertebral level above a vertebral level of the prosthetic spinous process.

15. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 , wherein the opening is available at a vertebral level below a vertebral level of the prosthetic spinous process.

16. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the opening is available at a vertebral level above a vertebral level of the prosthetic spinous process, below the vertebral level of the prosthetic spinous process, or both.

17. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 , wherein the member has a shape that increases in thickness in the direction of cephlad to caudad when viewed along a dorsal midline view.

18. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the prosthetic spinous process further comprises a coating selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicone, polyester, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, PTFE, and a combination thereof.

19. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinking rods are configured to allow removal of any excess length of the crosslinking rods to adjust for varying interpedicular distances.

20. A prosthetic spinous process, comprising:

a member having a first surface, a second surface generally opposite the first surface, and an opening extending between the first surface and the second surface, where the opening defines an axis substantially normal to a plane of symmetry defined between the first and second surfaces, the member further comprising at least one compressible material;

a plurality of crosslinking rods defining a first angle having a vertex, the plurality of crosslinking rods being connected to the member at the vertex and comprising a first generally cylindrical crosslinking rod extending from the first surface and a second generally cylindrical crosslinking rod extending from the second surface; and

a pedicle screw adjustably attached to each of the rods, the pedicle screws being constructed and arranged to be attached to an aspect of a spinal column wherein the member is offset dorsally and in a more caudal position than the pedicle screws.

21. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 20 , wherein the compressible material of the member is integrally bonded to the member.

22. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 20 , wherein the compressible material functions as an interspinous distraction, an intervertebral distraction, a cushion, a fixation, an interspinous bumper, a wedge, a WALLIS™ device, a DIAM™ device, or a spongy interspinous material.

23. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 20 , wherein the compressible material comprises polyetheretherketone, plastic, polycarbonate, polyurethane, silastic, rubber, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, or a combination thereof.

24. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 20 , wherein the compressible material comprises at least one of polyetheretherketone, plastic, polycarbonate, polyurethane, silastic, rubber, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, or a combination thereof.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2023
From: ASSOCIATED BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: LIFE SPINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 064275/0446 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2021
From: LIFE SPINE, INC.
To: ASSOCIATED BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 056728/0438 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 23, 2020
From: FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: LIFE SPINE, INC.; GIZMO MEDICAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 054843/0755 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 23, 2020
From: LIFE SPINE, INC.; GIZMO MEDICAL, LLC
To: ST. CLOUD CAPITAL PARTNERS III SBIC, LP
Reel/Frame 054844/0239 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE LEGAL DOCUMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040497 FRAME: 0926. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT . Recorded Mar 24, 2017
From: GIZMO MEDICAL, LLC; LIFE SPINE, INC.
To: ST CLOUD CAPITAL PARTNERS III SBIC, LP
Reel/Frame 042243/0607 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE LEGAL DOCUMENT ATTACHED TO THE FILING PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040497 FRAME: 0926. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Mar 24, 2017
From: GIZMO MEDIACL, LLC; LIFE SPINE, INC.
To: ST CLOUD CAPITAL PARTNERS III SBIC, LP
Reel/Frame 042084/0917 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2016
From: BMO HARRIS BANK N.A.
To: LIFE SPINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 040511/0788 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2016
From: GIZMO MEDICAL, LLC; LIFE SPINE, INC.
To: ST CLOUD CAPITAL PARTNERS III SBIC, LP
Reel/Frame 040497/0926 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2016
From: LIFE SPINE, INC.; GIZMO MEDICAL, LLC
To: MB FINANCIAL BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 040491/0791 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 3, 2014
From: LIFE SPINE, INC.
To: BMO HARRIS BANK N.A.
Reel/Frame 033276/0408 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2011
From: SILICON VALLEY BANK
To: LIFE SPINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 026944/0931 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 24, 2011
From: LIFE SPINE, INC.
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 025846/0010 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2010
From: MCAFEE, PAUL C., MD
To: LIFE SPINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 025387/0018 →