Adjustable fixation device
View Patent ↗An articulated fixation device is provided having a high degree of adjustability for securing a plate member thereof to a skull and at least one spinal rod thereof to a vertebral bone. In one form, an adjustable bridge member is provided that is adjustably connected to both the plate member and the spinal rod. The adjustable connections can include an upper and rearward pivot connection between the plate member and the bridge member and a lower and forward pivot connection between the spinal rod and the bridge member.
1. A method of fixing an articulated fixation device to a patient, comprising:
securing a plate member to the patient's skull;
selecting one of a plurality of bridge members having a longitudinal axis, wherein each of the plurality of bridge members has a different size or configuration for accommodating different patients;
forming a first adjustable connection between the plate member and the one bridge member to allow for relative pivoting therebetween about a first lateral pivot axis extending in the lateral direction transverse to the one bridge member longitudinal axis;
forming a second adjustable connection between the one bridge member and a rod coupling device to allow for relative pivoting therebetween about a second lateral pivot axis extending in the lateral direction transverse to the one bridge member longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the first lateral pivot axis and longitudinally spaced therefrom.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first adjustable connection between the plate member and the one bridge member is formed prior to or subsequent to securing the plate member to the patient's skull.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising pivoting the one bridge member about the first lateral pivot axis to shift the second adjustable connection in a path transverse to the longitudinal axis and the first and second lateral pivot axes.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising fixing the plate member and the one bridge member against pivoting about the first lateral pivot axis without causing fixing of the one bridge member and the rod coupling device against pivoting about the second lateral pivot axis.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising fixing the one bridge member and the coupling device against pivoting about the second lateral pivot axis without causing fixing of the plate member and the one bridge member against pivoting about the first lateral pivot axis.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising fixing a spinal rod to the rod coupling device and fixing the one bridge member and the coupling device against pivoting about the second lateral pivot axis with a single locking member.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the position of the one bridge member relative to the plate member at the first adjustable connection by shifting the one bridge member laterally along the first lateral pivot axis.
8. An occipito-cervical fixation system comprising:
a plate member configured for being secured to a skull;
a set of adjustable bridge members separate and distinct from the plate member, wherein each adjustable bridge member of the set includes a longitudinal axis and has a different size or configuration than the other adjustable bridge members for accommodating different patients;
wherein the plate member is configured to form a first adjustable connection with each adjustable bridge member in the set of separate adjustable bridge members at a first portion of the adjustable bridge member to allow for relative pivoting between the plate member and the adjustable bridge member about a first lateral pivot axis extending in a lateral direction transverse to the adjustable bridge member longitudinal axis; and
at least one rod coupling device configured to receive a spinal rod and to form a second adjustable connection with each adjustable bridge member of the set of adjustable bridge members at a second portion of the adjustable bridge member spaced from the first portion along the longitudinal axis,
wherein the first adjustable connection comprises at least one yoke portion that has an integral, one piece construction with the plate member and includes a laterally extending channel, and at least one laterally extending cross bar of the one adjustable bridge member that is configured to be pivotally received in the laterally extending channel.
9. An occipito-cervical fixation system comprising:
a plate member configured for being secured to a skull;
a set of adjustable bridge members separate and distinct from the plate member, wherein each adjustable bridge member of the set includes a longitudinal axis and has a different size or configuration than the other adjustable bridge members for accommodating different patients;
wherein the plate member is configured to form a first adjustable connection with each adjustable bridge member in the set of separate adjustable bridge members at a first portion of the adjustable bridge member to allow for relative pivoting between the plate member and the adjustable bridge member about a first lateral pivot axis extending in a lateral direction transverse to the adjustable bridge member longitudinal axis; and
at least one rod coupling device configured to receive a spinal rod and to form a second adjustable connection with each adjustable bridge member of the set of adjustable bridge members at a second portion of the adjustable bridge member spaced from the first portion along the longitudinal axis,
wherein the second adjustable connection comprises a laterally extending through opening of the at least one rod coupling device that extends in a lateral direction, and the one adjustable bridge member has a longitudinally extending portion and a lateral arm extending laterally therefrom that is configured to be pivotally received in the laterally extending through opening.
10. An occipito-cervical fixation system comprising:
a plate member configured for being secured to a skull;
a set of adjustable bridge members separate and distinct from the plate member, wherein each adjustable bridge member of the set includes a longitudinal axis and has a different size or configuration than the other adjustable bridge members for accommodating different patients;
wherein the plate member is configured to form a first adjustable connection with each adjustable bridge member in the set of separate adjustable bridge members at a first portion of the adjustable bridge member to allow for relative pivoting between the plate member and the adjustable bridge member about a first lateral pivot axis extending in a lateral direction transverse to the adjustable bridge member longitudinal axis; and
at least one rod coupling device configured to receive a spinal rod and to form a second adjustable connection with each adjustable bridge member of the set of adjustable bridge members at a second portion of the adjustable bridge member spaced from the first portion along the longitudinal axis,
wherein the at least one rod coupling device comprises a pair of rod coupling devices each including a laterally extending through opening that extends in a lateral direction, and the one adjustable bridge member includes a pair of laterally extending arms configured to be pivotally received in the laterally extending through openings.
11. The occipito-cervical fixation system of claim 10 , wherein the one adjustable bridge member further includes an arched portion interconnecting the laterally extending arms having a generally inverted U-shaped configuration for providing clearance for avoiding contact with the spine.