Spinal stabilization system
A spinal stabilization system and method are provided for treating a patient's spinal column, for maintaining preselected spacing and movement between adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column, and for providing overall stability thereto. The system includes an interlaminar member positioned in the space intermediate a first vertebra and the vertebrae positioned immediately below and adjacent to the first vertebra. The interlaminar member is operatively connected to an adjustable support structure and cooperates therewith to maintain the preselected spacing between adjacent vertebrae and to provide overall stability to the spinal column.
1. A spinal stabilization system for treating a spinal column having a first vertebra and a second vertebra, the system comprising:
an interlaminar member adapted to be positioned between the first vertebra and the second vertebra; the interlaminar member including a U-shaped body having a midsection, and two spaced apart end portions, and a pair of juxtaposed legs extending substantially parallel to one another from the U-shaped body, each of the pair of juxtaposed legs having a first end connected to one of the two respective spaced apart end portions of the U-shaped body, each leg including a second end located opposite the first end;
a support structure operatively connected to the interlaminar member, the support structure including a frame operatively connected to the interlaminar member and extending generally downwardly therefrom,
the frame including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side being operatively connected to the interlaminar member at a first junction at a first side of the second end of one of the pair of juxtaposed legs, the second side being operatively connected to the interlaminar member at a second junction at a second side of the second end of one of the pair of juxtaposed legs wherein the second junction is opposite the first junction and the second side of the second end of one of the pair of juxtaposed legs is opposite the first side of the second end of one of the pair of juxtaposed legs,
the first side of the frame including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion coupled with the second portion at an elbow and arranged such that the first and second portion are generally perpendicular with each other,
the second side of the frame comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion coupled with the second portion at an elbow and arranged such that the first and second portion are generally perpendicular with each other; and,
wherein the second side of the frame is generally a mirror image of the first side of the frame and wherein a terminal end portion opposite the elbow of the second portion of each of the first side of the frame and second side of the frame is configured to couple with a first and second spinal rod, respectively.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the frame defines a T-shaped frame.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure and the interlaminar member are integrally formed from a single piece of material.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes at least one linear rack, the rack being structured and arranged to progressively extend the distance between the interlaminar member and the terminal end portion of the second portion of the first side of the frame.
5. The system of claim 4 , further including a gear mechanism operatively connected to the at least one linear rack, the gear mechanism and the at least one linear rack forming a ratchet device configured to permit the progressive extension.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the terminal end portions of the first side of the frame and the second side of the frame further includes an aperture formed therein configured to pivotably and/or translatably receive the respective one of the first and second spinal rods and a fastener adapted to the respective one of the first and second spinal rods in a preselected position.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes at least one translatable portion, the translatable portion being structured and arranged to progressively extend the distance between the interlaminar member and the terminal end portion of the second portion of the first side of the frame.