Method for the correction of spinal deformities through vertebral body tethering without fusion
US6616669B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2002/30593
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fusionless method of treating spinal deformities in the spine of a child or young adult involves attaching a tether to vertebral bodies on the convex side of the spine. Deformities are treated by using the tether to selectively constrain growth in a portion of the convex side of the spine. One device for tethering the spine is a combination of a strand threaded through channels defined in a set of blocks attached to the vertebral bodies on the convex side of the spine. Another device useful in the method is to attach spinal staples, preferably made of a shape memory alloy, to vertebral bodies, the staples spanning the intervertebral disc space.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.