Intervertebral Prosthetic Assembly for Spinal Stabilization and Method of Implanting Same
A prosthetic assembly and method of implanting same, according to which a least one cross-bar is secured to the spinal column. A spacer engages the spinous process of a vertebra of the spinal column. The cross-bar is connected to the spacer via an adapter.
1 . An assembly for insertion between two anatomical structures, the device comprising:
a spacer engaging one of the structures;
a device connecting the spacer to the one structure; and
at least one cross-bar secured to the spacer and to one of the structures.
2 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the device is a strap.
3 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the cross-bar extends through an opening in the spacer.
4 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein the cross-bar extends in a notch in the spacer.
5 . The assembly of claim 4 further comprising a device connecting the cross-bar to the spacer.
6 . The assembly of claim 5 wherein the latter device is a strap.
7 . The assembly of claim 1 further comprising two retainers that receive the cross-bar, and a screw extending through each retainer and into one of the structures to connect the cross-bar to the one structure.
8 . The assembly of claim 1 wherein one of the structures is a spinous process.
9 . The assembly of claim 8 wherein the spinous process extends from a vertebra of the spine and wherein a vertebra adjacent the first-mentioned vertebra does not have a spinous process, and wherein the spacer stabilizes the spinal column between the two vertebrae.
10 . The assembly of claim 9 wherein the cross-bar is connected to one of the latter two vertebrae.
11 . The assembly of claim 10 further comprising two retainers that receive the respective ends of the cross-bar, and a screw extending through each retainer and into the one vertebra to connect the cross-bar to the one of the latter two vertebrae.
12 . A surgical procedure comprising:
engaging one anatomical structure with a spacer;
connecting the spacer to the one structure; and
securing at least one cross-bar to the spacer and to another anatomical structure.
13 . The procedure of claim 12 wherein the step of connecting comprises extending a strap through the spacer and around the one structure.
14 . The procedure of claim 12 further comprising extending the cross-bar through an opening in the spacer.
15 . The procedure of claim 12 further comprising extending the cross-bar in a notch in the spacer.
16 . The procedure of claim 15 further comprising connecting the cross-bar to the spacer.
17 . The procedure of claim 15 wherein the latter step of connecting comprises extending a strap around the cross-bar and the spacer.
18 . The procedure of claim 12 further comprising extending the cross-bar into two retainers that receive the respective end portions of the cross-bar, and fastening the retainer to the other structure to connect the cross-bar to the one structure.
19 . The procedure of claim 12 wherein one of the structures is a spinous process.
20 . The procedure of claim 19 wherein the spinous process extends from a vertebra of the spine and wherein a vertebra adjacent the first-mentioned vertebra does not have a spinous process, and wherein the spacer stabilizes the spinal column between the two vertebrae.
21 . The procedure of claim 20 wherein the cross-bar is connected to one of the latter two vertebrae.
22 . The procedure of claim 21 further comprising extending the respective end portions of the cross-bar into two retainers, and fastening the retainers to the one of the latter two vertebrae.