Unilateral placement

US7892260B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• DePuy Spine, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Michael Mahoney · Middletown, US
• Christopher Ramsay · West Wareham, US
• John Riley Hawkins · Raynham, US
• Erin Dupak · Fall River, US
• Jayson Varghese · Niles, US
• Charles M. Bartish, Jr. · Providence, US
• Jonathan Fanger · Fall River, US
• SeungKyu Daniel Kwak · Grafton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 6, 2006
• Grant date: Feb 22, 2011
• Expiry date: Apr 10, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B17/7044
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for spinal fixation. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices provide one or more points of fixation located adjacent to a first fixation point at which a bone anchor is implanted in bone. For example, an extension member can be coupled, either directly or indirectly, to a bone anchor, and a fastener can be used to anchor the extension member to bone at a second point of fixation adjacent to the first point of fixation. The second point of fixation can be effective to prevent rotation or other movement of the bone anchor, thereby stabilizing the bone anchor. The methods and devices are particularly useful for unilateral fixation, in which one or more levels of the spine are stabilized along a single lateral side of the spine.