Internal pedicle insulator implants assemblies and methods of use
View Patent ↗Internal pedicle insulator implants, assemblies and related methods are provided. A representative method includes: placing an implant at least partially about an intermediate portion of the fixture, the implant having an inner surface; driving a distal end of the implant into tissue into which the fixture is inserted; and dispensing cement such that the cement is located between the inner surface of the implant and an exterior of the fixture.
1. A pedicle insulator implant, implantable into a vertebral body of a spine, comprising:
an inner cylindrical wall having a first end wall and a second end wall, the second end exhibiting an annular taper, said cylindrical wall having an inwardly directed smooth and non threaded surface;
an outer cylindrical wall having a first end wall and a second end wall, having an inwardly directed smooth and non threaded surface, dimensioned to allow slidable insertion of the inner cylindrical wall;
a slot extending between the first end wall and the second end wall such that, when viewed in plan view, the pedicle insulator implant is generally C-shaped; said slot defined by a first side edge and a second side edge and
a first fin extending outwardly from an outer surface of the wall, the fin being operative to reduce a tendency of the implant to rotate after insertion into tissue
whereby said pedicle insulator implant shields a pedicle screw that is implanted into the vertebral body and reduces nerve root irritation and diminishes the loosening of the pedicle screw.
2. The pedicle insulator implant of claim 1 , wherein the fin extends longitudinally along the wall from the first end.
3. The pedicle insulator implant of claim 2 , wherein the fin terminates at the taper of the second end.
4. A pedicle insulator implant assembly implantable into a vertebral body of a spine wherein said pedicle insulator implant comprises:
an inner wall defining an interior cavity and having a first end and a second end, said wall having an inwardly directed smooth and non threaded surface; and
an outer wall defining an interior cavity and having a first end and a second end, said wall having an inwardly directed smooth and non threaded surface dimensioned to allow the inner wall to slidably fit into the outer wall;
a first fin extending outwardly from an outer surface of the wall, the fin being operative to reduce a tendency of the pedicle insulator implant to rotate after insertion into tissue of the vertebral body; whereby said pedicle insulator implant reduces nerve root irritation and diminishes the loosening of a pedicle screw.
5. The pedicle insulator implant assembly of claim 4 , wherein the pedicle insulator implant further comprises a longitudinal slot extending between the first end and the second end.
6. The pedicle insulator implant assembly of claim 4 , wherein the pedicle insulator implant is cylindrical.
7. The pedicle insulator implant assembly of claim 4 , wherein the distal end of the pedicle insulator implant is annularly tapered.
8. The pedicle insulator implant assembly of claim 4 , further comprising a fixture sized and shaped to be inserted within a cavity defined by an inner surface of the pedicle insulator implant.
9. The pedicle insulator implant assembly of claim 8 , further comprising cement positioned within the cavity, at least a portion of the cement being located between the inner surface of the pedicle implant and an exterior of the fixture.
10. The pedicle insulator implant assembly of claim 9 , wherein the fixture is a pedicle screw.