Methods and apparatus for fusionless treatment of spinal deformities
US6287308A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/7041
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The treatment and correction of spinal deformities, such as scoliosis, is accomplished without the need for fusion of the intervertebral disc space. A surgical technique is provided in which opening and closing osteotomies are created in the affected vertebrae. Correction devices are provided which hold the osteotomies in either their closed or open orientations. The correction devices include bone-piercing anchors, some in the form of staples, holding the vertebral body on opposite sides of the body to retain the osteotomies in their desired orientation. In the opening osteotomies, the correction devices include a wedge member that is disposed within the opened wedge osteotomy and in contact with the vertebral body. The correction devices also include connection members which can be used to engage the devices to an elongated member spanning the spine, such as a spinal rod or a metal or non-metal cable or tether. Once bone union has occurred in the instrumented vertebrae, the spinal rod or cable or tether can be disconnected from the correction devices and removed from the patient. In another aspect of the invention, curvature deformities in two planes can be corrected using the sa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.