Spinal fixation device with variable stiffness
US7842072B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B17/8869
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device for spinal stabilization includes bone anchors, a metal cord, and a spacer. The materials of the cord and spacer are chosen to allow the physician to customize the stiffness of the stabilization device based on a particular patient's needs. Each bone anchor has a clamping mechanism for securing the cord to the bone anchor. In an assembled and implanted state of the device, the spacer is positioned between two neighboring bone anchors, thereby impeding the motion of the bone anchors toward each other; the cord is clamped to the bone anchors, thereby impeding the motion of the bone anchors away from each other. By increasing or decreasing the tension in the cord during implantation, the physician can create a stabilization device that is either relatively stiff or relatively flexible to accommodate the specific needs of the patient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.