Systems for attenuation of increased spinal flexion loads post-fusion and associated methods
Implementations described herein include devices and systems for attenuation of increased spinal flexion loads post-fusion that include a transition member. The transition member may have a tension component coupleable to a fused vertebra of a plurality of fused vertebra of a fusion implant and to an adjacent unfused vertebra. The tension component may be tensionable to a selected value. The tension component may modulate a flexion range of motion of the adjacent unfused vertebra as a function of the selected value of tension of the tension component. The transition member may attenuate spinal flexion loads on adjacent unfused vertebra post-operatively.
1 . A fusion system, comprising:
a fusion implant capable of connecting to a plurality of fused vertebrae;
a transition member including a tension component capable of connecting to a fused vertebra of the plurality of fused vertebrae and an unfused vertebra disposed proximate the fused vertebra, the tension component comprising a flexible elongate member capable of passing through an aperture in the transition member to interface with the proximate unfused vertebra; and
a second transition member with a second tension component capable of coupling a second fused vertebra of the plurality of fused vertebrae and a second unfused vertebra positioned proximate the second fused vertebra, the second tension component comprising a second flexible elongate member capable of passing through a second aperture in the second transition member to interface with the second unfused vertebra,
wherein the tension component is tensionable to a selected value of tension by pulling a first end of the flexible elongate member through the aperture of the transition member to reduce a length of a portion of the flexible elongate member coupled to the proximate unfused vertebra;
wherein the second tension component is tensionable to a selected value of tension by pulling a first end of the second flexible elongate member through the second aperture of the transition member to reduce a length of a portion of the second flexible elongate member coupled to the second unfused vertebra;
wherein the second tension component is tensionable independently from the tension component;
wherein the tension component modulates a flexion range of motion of the proximate unfused vertebra as a function of the selected value of tension of the tension component;
wherein the transition member post-operatively attenuates spinal flexion loads on the proximate unfused vertebra; and
wherein the second tension component is positioned superior to the tension component.
2 . The fusion system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate member comprises a tether, a cord, a band, or a flexible rod, wherein the transition member comprises a clamp and a set screw, and wherein the set screw is adjustable to secure the flexible elongate member within the clamp.
3 . The fusion system of claim 2 , wherein the tension component further comprises a bone implant, and wherein the bone implant is configured to engage with the fused vertebra.
4 . The fusion system of claim 3 , wherein a first end of the tension component is received by the bone implant after the tension component has been tensioned to the selected value of tension.
5 . The fusion system of claim 2 , wherein the set screw is further adjustable to secure the clamp to a bone implant.
6 . The fusion system of claim 5 , wherein the bone implant comprises a vertebral rod.
7 . The fusion system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate member is configured to be looped around at least a portion of the proximate unfused vertebra.
8 . A system, comprising:
a first transition member including a first tension component capable of connecting to a first fused vertebra of a plurality of fused vertebrae and a first unfused vertebra positioned proximate the first fused vertebra, the first tension component comprising a first flexible elongate member capable of passing through a first aperture in the first transition member to interface with the first unfused vertebra; and
a second transition member with a second tension component capable of connecting to a second fused vertebra of the plurality of fused vertebrae and a second unfused vertebra positioned proximate the second fused vertebra, the second tension component comprising a second flexible elongate member capable of passing through a second aperture in the second transition member to interface with the second unfused vertebra,
wherein the first tension component is tensionable to a selected value of tension by pulling a first end of the first flexible elongate member through the first aperture of the first transition member to reduce a length of a portion of the first flexible elongate member coupled to the first unfused vertebra;
wherein the second tension component is tensionable to a selected value of tension by pulling a first end of the second flexible elongate member through the second aperture of the second transition member to reduce a length of a portion of the second flexible elongate member coupled to the second unfused vertebra; and
wherein the second tension component is tensionable independently from the first tension component.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first transition member comprises a clamp and a set screw, and wherein the set screw is adjustable to secure the first flexible elongate member within the clamp.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the first flexible elongate member comprises a tether, a cord, a band, or a flexible rod.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the first tension component further comprises a bone implant, and wherein the bone implant is configured to engage with the first fused vertebra.
12 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first tension component modulates a flexion range of motion of the first unfused vertebra as a function of the selected value of tension of the first tension component.