U.S. patent application number 16/036437 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-15 for posterior spinal stabilization plate device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Matthew P. Gephart, Daniel Rae Robinson, John Sullivan.
Application Number | 20180325562 16/036437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47391369 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180325562 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robinson; Daniel Rae ; et
al. |
November 15, 2018 |
POSTERIOR SPINAL STABILIZATION PLATE DEVICE
Abstract
A device for connecting two spinal rods is provided. In one
form, the device includes two clamping devices for receiving and
locking to spinal rods and a central bridge or plate member that
couples the clamping devices. In one aspect, the clamping devices
are unitary members with deflectable jaw portions that snap-fit and
then locked by operation of actuators. In another aspect, one or
both of the clamping devices are adjustably coupled to the central
bridge or plate member to allow at least translation and pivoting
or rotation of the clamping devices relative to a central axis of
the elongate bridge member. The clamping devices may be coupled to
the bridge or plate member with the same locking actuator that
causes clamping of the clamp device so that the positions of the
clamp device and the spinal rod are locked into place by
manipulation of only a single locking actuator.
Inventors: |
Robinson; Daniel Rae;
(Marquette, MI) ; Gephart; Matthew P.; (Marquette,
MI) ; Sullivan; John; (Marquette, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. |
Marquette |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47391369 |
Appl. No.: |
16/036437 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15199353 |
Jun 30, 2016 |
10022160 |
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16036437 |
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13608366 |
Sep 10, 2012 |
9381044 |
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15199353 |
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12983207 |
Dec 31, 2010 |
8986351 |
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13608366 |
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61532355 |
Sep 8, 2011 |
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61298488 |
Jan 26, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/7059 20130101;
A61B 17/8685 20130101; A61B 17/705 20130101; A61B 17/7052 20130101;
A61B 17/7055 20130101; A61B 17/8695 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/70 20060101
A61B017/70; A61B 17/86 20060101 A61B017/86 |
Claims
1. A cross connector device comprising: a bridge member; a guide
track connected to the bridge member; at least one clamp device
having a resiliently deflectable jaw portion and a threaded
portion, the clamp device slidably coupled to the guide track; and
a rotary locking actuator member having a threaded portion for
being threadingly connected to the threaded portion of the clamp
device to slidably couple the clamp device to the guide track and
being operable to be rotated for being shifted into direct
engagement with the deflectable jaw portion to resiliently shift
the resiliently deflectable jaw portion into locking engagement
with a spinal rod and to fix the clamp device against sliding along
the guide track.
2. The cross connector device of claim 1 wherein the guide track
includes a guide slot, and the rotary locking actuator member
includes an elongate shank portion configured to extend through the
guide slot to be slidably disposed therein.
3. The cross connector device of claim 2 wherein the elongate shank
portion has a distal end portion including a cam surface that is
configured for shifting into direct camming engagement with the
deflectable jaw portion.
4. The cross connector device of claim 1 wherein the bridge member
has an elongate configuration, the guide track includes a pair of
guide tracks with one at either end of the bridge member and
connected thereto, the at least one clamp device includes a pair of
clamp devices for the pair of guide tracks, and the rotary locking
actuator includes a pair of rotary locking actuators for the pair
of clamp devices.
5. The posterior spinal stabilization plate device of claim 4
wherein the bridge member includes adjustable portions that are
adjustable relative to each other with one portion having one of
the pair of guide tracks connected thereto and an other portion
having the other one of the pair of guide tracks connected
thereto.
6. The cross connector device of claim 1 wherein the clamp device
includes a body portion that cooperates with the resiliently
deflectable jaw portion to form an arcuate recess in which the
spinal rod is received to be locked therein by the resiliently
deflectable jaw portion.
7. A method for connecting a pair of spinal rods, the method
comprising providing clamping members for being clamped onto the
spinal rods via resiliently deflectable jaws of the clamping
members; slidably coupling the clamping members to guide tracks at
either end of a bridge member via rotary actuators; advancing
threaded portions of the rotary actuators in threaded engagement
with threaded portions of the clamping members via rotation of the
rotary actuators; and engaging the resiliently deflectable jaw
portions with ends of the threaded portions of the rotary actuators
to resiliently shift the resiliently deflectable jaw portions into
locking engagement with the spinal rod and to fix the clamp members
against sliding along the guide tracks.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/199,353 filed Jun. 30, 2016, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/608,366 filed
Sep. 10, 2012, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 61/532,355 filed Sep. 8, 2011, which are both hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This
application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/983,207 filed Dec. 31, 2010, which claims
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/298,488 filed Jan.
26, 2010, which are both hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a crosslink or connecting assembly
and method to secure multiple spinal rods in relation to each other
and, in particular, to a connecting assembly disposed transversely
between two spinal rods that has moveable components for rotating,
pivoting, and extending portions of the connecting device, as well
as actuating members for locking the moveable components in
place.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In surgical procedures involving the spine, it is common to
secure a pair of spinal rods to a series of vertebrae so that the
rods are aligned essentially parallel to the spinal column. The
spinal rods may serve to immobilize vertebrae, preventing unwanted
flexion, extension, and rotation of vertebrae with respect to each
other. It is often further desirable, or even necessary, to provide
a connecting device to extend transversely between spinal rods,
thereby securing the spinal rods relative to each other.
[0004] Spinal rods are typically anchored to the vertebrae by a
series of anchor members in the form of bone screws that extend
through the pedicles of vertebrae or hooks that engage the
vertebrae. The spinal rods are connected to the screws or other
anchor members by coupling members or yokes designed to receive and
secure a rod. For instance, the coupling member may form a u-shaped
channel that is closed with a set screw or other cap device that
locks the spinal rod in place within the channel. Such coupling
members may be integral with the anchor member, or may be provided
as a separate component in order to allow for polyaxial movement of
the anchor member.
[0005] When utilizing crosslinking or connecting devices to secure
pedicle screws, a number of obstacles are commonly encountered.
Spinal rods are mounted by a surgeon in a custom-fit manner,
including some bending of the rod, so that the rod extends properly
along the spine for holding the vertebral portions in proper
relation. Accordingly, there is often not a constant distance
between two spinal rods, and instead the rods may converge or
diverge from each other. In addition, one spinal rod may have a
portion that extends transversely and/or is curved relative to the
other rod so that the central axes of neighboring rod segments are
non-parallel.
[0006] One attempt at overcoming these obstacles and to facilitate
linking of non-parallel portions of spinal rods is a crosslinking
system that includes two opposed ends comprising clamping devices
for securing the spinal rods, with the clamping devices linked to
each other by a central cross rod or rods, typically allowing
adjustment of the distance between the connector ends by axial
movement of the cross rod, pivotal adjustment of one connecting
device relative to the cross rod, and rotation of the connecting
devices relative to each other about the axis of the cross rod.
However, providing multiple points of articulation presents further
problems. For instance, the components of the cross connector must
be configured in such a way that they do not interfere with each
other when arranged in various configurations. Furthermore, each
articulation point must be capable of locking in order to secure
the spinal rods in a desired configuration, requiring multiple
locking mechanisms that must be loosened and tightened in order to
adjust and secure the cross connector. Additionally, many devices
include a locking mechanism in the center of the crosslinking
device to prevent translation, pivoting, and or rotation of the
cross rod, which can be difficult for surgeons to reach and lies
close to the spinal cord when implanted.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,211 discloses a device for connecting
two spinal rods to one another that includes deformable clamp
bodies at opposite ends of the device in which a cam lug is rotated
to move opposed clamp arms to a clamped position. The distance
between the clamp bodies can be adjusted by shifting a shaft
connected to one clamp body within a bore of a body portion
connected to the other clamp body. The position of the shaft within
the bore may be locked by a radially compressing ring or by
providing threads on the shaft and bore so that rotation of the
clamp bodies relative to one another adjusts the length of the
device. These features for adjusting the length of the clamp body
are not easy to manipulate, and limit the positions at which the
length may be locked. Furthermore, the device does not allow for
pivoting the clamp bodies relative to one another, making it
difficult to use the device to connect spinal rod segments that are
skewed relative to one another. Additional locking mechanisms would
be needed in order to provide the device with additional degrees of
adjustability.
[0008] Published U.S. Patent Application 2005/0228377 discloses a
device having a pair of connector members with first and second
jaws that are pulled together by a threaded member in order to
engage a spinal rod. The device relies on the threaded member to
maintain the jaws in the pulled-together position, and loosening of
the threaded member would lead to release of the spinal rod.
Additionally, all adjustment of the positioning of opposed
connector members relative to one another is accomplished by a
central joint that permits translation and pivoting in a single
plane. A central clamp locks the positions of the connector members
relative to one another. Thus, the device cannot easily be adjusted
to accommodate bent or skewed spinal rods.
[0009] Published U.S. Patent Application 2006/0271045 discloses a
device having a pair of connector members that each have a separate
jaw portion secured to the connector member by a threaded screw.
Tightening of the screw locks the spinal rod within the connector
member. Loosening of the screw, however, would allow the jaw
portion to fall away from the connector member and release the
spinal rod. All adjustment of the positioning of the connector
members relative to one another is performed by a central clamp
mechanism, which allows translation and pivoting of the connector
members in a single plane. Thus, the device cannot easily be
adjusted to accommodate bent or skewed spinal rods.
[0010] Therefore, there remains a need for devices for connecting
spinal rods that provide for multiple degrees of adjustability and
secure locking of the spinal rods.
[0011] Rigid or semi-rigid elongate members, such as spinal rods,
may be mounted to the spinal column in order to stabilize or
immobilize vertebrae of the spinal column for a variety of
purposes. For instance, spinal rods are often secured to adjacent
vertebral bodies via anchor members in order to promote fusion of
the two vertebrae as a treatment for degenerative disc disease,
spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, fractures of the vertebrae, and
other conditions. Limiting or preventing motion of the vertebrae
promotes the healing process. By removal of the disc positioned
between the vertebrae and limiting motion between the vertebrae,
the adjacent boney surfaces are allowed to grow into one another
and fuse together. Fusion devices may also be placed between the
two immobilized vertebrae in order to facilitate the process of
fusion.
[0012] When stabilizing portions of the spinal column, and in
particular the cervical region of the spine, it is sometimes
necessary to immobilize the skull in addition to vertebrae. The
same elongate rigid structures used to link and stabilize the
vertebrae may therefore be secured to the skull in order to keep
the skull in an appropriate spatial relationship with respect to
the spinal column. However, since the anatomy and thickness of the
skull and its surrounding tissues are very different than those of
the vertebrae and their surrounding tissues, the elongate rigid
structures must be anchored to the skull in a different manner than
that used for the vertebrae.
[0013] For instance, in many spinal stabilization procedures
elongate rods made of titanium or other materials are placed
adjacent to the posterior side of the spine and anchored in place
using screws connected to some type of coupling assembly. Examples
of suitable coupling assemblies for posterior fixation systems are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,141,051; U.S. Published Application
No. 2008/0045955; and U.S. Published Application No. 2007/0225711.
The screws used to anchor these devices and other coupling
assemblies are often relatively long, and are mounted to the
pedicle area of the vertebrae with the shanks of the screws
penetrating deep into the vertebral body. The yoke portion of the
coupling assembly that is coupled to the screw and receives the
spinal rod is nested between outwardly-extending boney processes so
that the height of the yoke is not noticeable.
[0014] When spinal rods are mounted to the skull, however, long
screws and large coupling assemblies cannot be mounted directly to
the skull without undue risk of penetrating the brain encased
therein. Many coupling assemblies also would prove extremely and
unduly cumbersome if mounted directly to the skull, and may even
protrude significantly from the back of the head. In addition, the
occipital region, which juts out at the base of the skull, is the
only reasonable site at which to mount an internal fixation system,
requiring that spinal rods connected thereto be bent severely in
order to be positioned along the occipital region and be connected
to the occipital region in a manner similar to the connection to
the vertebrae.
[0015] Previous systems for coupling spinal rods and other elongate
stabilization devices to the skull vary. However, most systems
utilize a plate mounted to the occipital region of the skull that
attaches to a rod, cable, wire, plate, or screw mounted to a region
of the spine. In most spinal rod systems, two spinal rods are
positioned generally parallel to the surface of the plate and then
secured thereto by a bracket or u-shaped receiving member. The
plates are mounted to the skull with several small screws disposed
along the full length and width of the plate. Since the base of the
skull angles inward toward the spine, the plates mounted to the
skull are not parallel to the posterior surfaces of the vertebrae,
and the spinal rods must be bent significantly away from the
vertebrae in order to reach the occipital region in an orientation
that may be mounted to the plate. For instance, the bending of
spinal rods in order for them to properly be received relative to
an occipital plate is shown in the devices of FIGS. 1, 2, and 18 of
U.S. Published Application No. 2004/0153070. In that device, spinal
rods mounted along the vertebrae must be manipulated in order to
fit precisely into receiver mechanisms aligned along the sides of a
plate designed to be fixed to the occipital region of the skull.
This bending of the rod can fatigue the rod material, and also
makes it difficult to reposition the elements of the stabilization
system.
[0016] Even attempts to provide occipital plate devices with
adjustability in order to accommodate spinal rods of various
orientations still generally require significant manipulation and
bending of spinal rods before they can be secured to the plate
structure. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,565 discloses a plate
designed to be mounted to the occipital region of the skull by a
plurality of short expansion head screws. The plate receives a pair
of rods that may be further mounted to one or more vertebrae. In
many cases these rods are pre-bent so that the majority of the rods
may be positioned parallel to the spine, with the ends bent
transversely in order to be secured to the plate by a clamp plate
or bracket. Some embodiments include plates that are bent in order
to receive the rods that are parallel to the spine. However, in all
cases the devices provided to clamp the rods in place on the plate
are designed to accept the rod in only one position, so that any
variation in angle or spacing of the rods caused by the patient's
anatomy requires bending of the spinal rods in order to properly
secure them to the plate.
[0017] U.S. Published Application No. 2008/0051783 discloses a
plate device having a pair of u-shaped rod receiving members that
protrude from lateral wings of the plate. The wings may be shifted
laterally and medially, and the rod receiving members may rotate to
adjust the direction in which a connecting member (such as a spinal
rod) is received. Therefore, the device does allow some
adjustability in order to receive the spinal rods. However, the
spinal rods must be positioned so that they are generally parallel
to the plate surface in order to fit into the rod receiving
members. Therefore, the ends of the rod must be bent away from the
axis of the spine and into the u-shaped channels of the receiving
members.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,315 discloses a plate secured to the
bone by a plurality of screws. The plate is fitted with slotted
bolts designed for receiving a rod or cable. The base of the
slotted bolt is recessed in the plate at its base. A support
platform may be fitted over the bolt to help hold the rod or cable.
A nut fastens over the threaded end of the slotted bolt to trap the
rod or cable within the bolt, securing it to the plate. While the
bolt may be rotated to adjust the direction of the rod or cable,
this adjustment affects only one plane, and does not allow for
adjustment of the angle of the rod or cable with respect to the
surface of the plate.
[0019] U.S. Published Application 2007/0233119 discloses a plate
device with polyaxial connector head assemblies including a
connector body that receives a spinal rod and a connector head
pivotably connected to the connector body and configured to be
secured to the plate so that the connector assemblies provide
limited polyaxial movement of the spinal rods with respect to the
plate. However, the device does not allow multiple types of
movement to provide a highly articulated device. Furthermore, the
coupling heads are relatively bulky and still hold the spinal rods
relatively parallel to the plate surface.
[0020] Therefore, improved devices for securing spinal rods to the
occipital region of the skull are desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In accordance with one aspect, a device for connecting two
spinal rods may include two clamping devices for receiving and
locking to spinal rods and, in one form, a central bridge or plate
member that couples the clamping devices. In one aspect, the
clamping devices may be unitary members with deflectable jaw
portions that snap-fit and then locked by operation of actuators.
In another aspect, one or both of the clamping devices are
adjustably coupled to the central bridge member to allow at least
translation and pivoting or rotation of the clamping devices
relative to a central axis of the elongate bridge member. In yet
another aspect, one or both of the clamping devices may be coupled
to the bridge member with the same locking actuator that causes
clamping of the clamp device, allowing both the position of the
clamp device relative to the bridge member and the position of the
spinal rod relative to the clamp device to be locked into place by
manipulation of only a single locking actuator.
[0022] In one embodiment, the clamping members may be coupled to a
central elongate bridge member by locking actuators that pass
through elongate slots at each end of the bridge member and allow
the clamping members to translate and rotate with respect to the
bridge member. Translation of the clamping members along the
elongate slots of the bridge member allows the distance between the
pair of clamping members to be increased or decreased. The locking
actuators also allow the two clamping members to be independently
pivoted about the axes of their respective actuators, permitting a
surgeon to change the orientation of each clamping member relative
to the bridge member. Pivoting of the clamping members allows them
to be canted relative to one another in a wide variety of relative
orientations to receive a pair of non-parallel spinal rods, and
also allows each clamping member to be positioned at separate
levels of the spine with the bridge member traversing the distance
between the spinal rods at an oblique angle relative to both spinal
rods. The locking actuators, clamping members, and bridge member
may be configured so that tightening of the locking actuators locks
their respective clamp members in place relative to the bridge
member while simultaneously clamping the clamp members to their
respective spinal rods. Thus the cross connecting device may be
fully locked in place with the action of only two actuators.
[0023] The bridge member may be made of a flexible or malleable
material if desired, so that the bridge member can be bent and
positioned as desired. For instance, the bridge member may be bent
to form an arch that avoids one or more posterior processes of the
vertebrae. A variety of interchangeable bridge members having
different shapes and sizes may also be provided as a kit, so that a
surgeon may select a bridge member with the appropriate length and
shape for a given situation and attach any two clamping members to
the selected bridge member.
[0024] When the clamping devices include a deflectable jaw portion,
the device will preferably form an arcuate recess configured to
snap-lock to a spinal rod, so that the clamping device may be
provisionally coupled to the spinal rod through a frictional
engagement prior to fully locking the clamping device to the rod by
operation of a locking actuator.
[0025] In another aspect, the cross connecter device may include a
central housing that receives a cross rod portion in a manner that
allows pivoting, rotation, and translation of one clamping device
relative to the other clamping device. The central housing may
include a locking device to secure the clamping devices in position
relative to one another after adjusting the distance, direction,
and orientation of the clamping members. Preferably, a single
locking device secures the clamping members against pivoting,
rotation, and translation.
[0026] Fixation devices are provided herein for mounting to bone
and receiving one or more spinal rods. Typically, these systems
include a plate member that is curved to generally mate with the
surface of the skull or another boney region. The devices also
include coupling members or rod receiving members coupled to the
plate member and configured to have multiple degrees of
adjustability in order to accommodate elongate connecting members
of various orientations. Although the devices may be configured to
secure a number of elongate connecting members, such as rods,
cables, wires, and the like, spinal rods will be primarily
discussed herein. It will be understood, however, that this
description is not intended to be limiting, and that the invention
is intended to be adapted for use with a variety of connecting
members of different shapes, sizes, and configurations.
[0027] In one aspect, a spinal rod mounting device may be provided
that includes a plate member having a plurality of openings for
receiving anchor devices and a pair of rod receiving members
slidably or pivotably adjustable with respect to the plate member.
In one preferred form, the rod receiving members are configured to
receive a spinal rod such that the spinal rod can extend therefrom
in a plurality of different directions relative to the plate member
so that the rod receiving members provide adjustability for the
rods extending therefrom. Once the desired direction is selected,
the rod can be locked in place in the receiving member so as to fix
the selected direction of the rod extending therefrom. The rod
receiving devices also may be positioned so that they can be
secured to a portion of an elongate member that is orthogonal to
the surface of the plate member.
[0028] In another preferred aspect, the rod receiving members are
slidably coupled to the plate member. In another preferred form,
the rod coupling devices are mounted to the plate member in a
manner that allows the rod receiving devices to pivot with respect
to the plate member. In a more preferred aspect the rod receiving
devices are both slidable and pivotable with respect to the plate
member to provide multiple degrees of adjustability.
[0029] In another aspect, which may be optionally combined with
other aspects of the invention, the rods and/or rod receiving
devices may be configured to be received by the rod receiving
members in a plurality of orientations with respect to the rod
receiving members. For instance, the rods may be provided with
enlarged, curvate heads sized to be received in a pocket or cavity
of the rod receiving device such that the curvate head may be
pivoted to a plurality of positions within the interior of the
cavity. Preferably, the cavity of the rod receiving devices are
provided with curvate interior surfaces contoured to generally mate
with the curvate exterior of the rod heads. Preferably, the rod
heads and cavities are both partially spherical in order to provide
ball-and-socket connections between the spinal rods and rod
receiving members. This allows the axes of the elongate spinal rods
to be positioned to extend in a variety of different directions
from the rod receiving device without requiring bending of the
spinal rods for this purpose. The direction of the spinal rod may
be locked with respect to the rod receiving device by a locking
member, such as a set screw, non-threaded camming member, or other
device that forces the spinal rod against the interior of the rod
receiving member to create frictional forces that inhibit movement
between the rod and the rod receiving device. Combined with sliding
and pivoting adjustability of the rod receiving members, this
ball-and-socket connection between the spinal rods and rod
receiving device provides a highly adjustable system that can
receive a pair of spinal rods having various orientations and hold
the pair of spinal rods in a fixed relationship with respect to a
plate member attached to a patient's skull.
[0030] In another aspect, a plate device may be provided with a
simple to operate rapid locking mechanism to quickly secure the
spinal rods in place without separate adjustment of multiple parts.
This allows the position of one or more spinal rods to be fixed
with respect to the plate device without adjusting multiple and/or
complex parts.
[0031] The plate may be relatively thin and contoured to rest
against the lower rear surface of a patient's skull. The rod
receiving members may each have an arm portion to serve as a
connection point to the corresponding plate arms, and the rod
receiving members may be secured to the arms of the plate by a bolt
or other pivot member about which the rod receiving device is able
to pivot. Each bolt is preferably disposed within a slot in an arm
of the plate so that the rod receiving member is able to slide
relative to the plate member. In one aspect of the invention, the
arms and corresponding slots of the plate member are disposed so as
to extend away from the center axis of the plate member so that the
rod receiving devices may slide along the slots of the plate arms
in order to adjust the distance between the rod receiving devices
and the center of the plate member. Pivoting of the rod receiving
devices allows the rod receiving devices to be positioned at a
plurality of positions along an arc centered around the bolt or
other pivot member connecting the rod receiving device to the plate
arm. Combining the pivoting and sliding movement of the arms and/or
rod receiving devices allows for the rod receiving devices to
extend in a variety of different directions and spatial
relationships with respect to the plate member and one another.
Preferably, the bolt or other connector may be tightened to lock
the arm portion against sliding and pivoting, which in turn locks
the position of the rod receiving member. Alternatively, a separate
locking mechanism may be provided in order to prevent movement of
the rod receiving member.
[0032] The rod receiving device may include a pocket or cavity for
receiving the end of a spinal rod, or may have a channel that
allows the spinal rod to pass therethrough. A locking member may be
configured to fix the position of the rod with respect to the rod
receiving device. For instance, the locking member may be a set
screw that is threaded into the rod receiving device and clamps the
spinal rod end therein, fixing the position of the rod through
friction by pressing the rod against the interior of the rod
receiving device.
[0033] In another aspect of the invention, a plate member may
include a track portion having guide tracks in which a pair of yoke
members are slidably disposed. The sliding of the yoke members
along the guide tracks allows the distance between the yoke members
to be adjusted so that the yoke members may capture spinal rods
adjusted to various distances from one another. In addition, the
yokes may be rotatably and/or pivotably coupled to the guide tracks
in a polyaxial manner that allows for rotation and/or pivoting in
one or more planes in order to easily capture spinal rods so that
they extend in a variety of different directions relative to the
plate member, and specifically the track portion thereof. For
instance, the yoke may be provided with a swiveling neck portion
that is slidably received in the track member and allows the yoke
member to swivel in one or more directions with respect to the
track member.
[0034] In one preferred form, the yoke member may rotate about an
axis of the neck portion so that a rod receiving channel or opening
in the yoke may be positioned to face in various different
directions with respect to the direction in which the yoke slides
along the track member. In another preferred aspect of the
invention, the neck member forms a ball-and-socket connection with
the yoke member in order to allow pivoting of the yoke member in at
least two planes in addition to rotation about an axis of the neck
portion. Locking members may be provided in order to secure the
spinal rods to the yoke members and to fix the position of the yoke
members with respect to the track member and plate member. In one
aspect of the invention, a single locking member associated with
each yoke member fixes the position of a spinal rod with respect to
the yoke member and fixes the pivoted and rotated position of the
yoke member with respect to the neck portion and/or track member.
In another aspect, a single locking member secures the position of
two yoke members along the track member, such as by adjusting a
clamp member that spans the length of the track member to exert
frictional forces that prevent the yoke members from sliding
relative to the track member. Alternatively, separate clamping
members may be provided to prevent the sliding of each of the yoke
members.
[0035] In another aspect, the rod receiving members may be coupled
to the plate member by telescoping members that allow the distance
of the rod receiving members from the plate member to be adjusted.
This may include, for instance, a sleeve portion having an axial
bore coupled to the plate member and a post member coupled to the
rod receiving member, with the post member slidably received in the
axial bore of the sleeve portion. Alternatively, the sleeve portion
may be coupled to the rod receiving member and the post coupled to
the plate member. The sleeve and post members also may be pivotably
coupled to the plate member and/or rod receiving member in order to
provide further adjustability to the positioning and orientation of
the rod receiving members.
[0036] In another form, one or more rod receiving members may be
coupled to a plate member by two or more ball-and-socket
connections. A housing may be provided to connect one
ball-and-socket connection to the next. In one preferred form, a
single locking member is associated with each housing and is
configured to lock the position of both ball-and-socket connections
with respect to the housing. The ball-and-socket connections also
may be pivotably and/or slidably connected to the plate member
and/or the rod receiving member to provide further adjustability to
the device.
[0037] The anchors used to secure the plate to the patient's skull
may be expandable in order to increase their holding strength. For
instance, the shank of the screw may be hollow and have one or more
slits therein running parallel to the axis of the shank so that
insertion of a pin or other member into the hollow shank causes the
exterior of the shank to splay, expanding the width of the shank
and applying additional lateral force against the bone adjacent to
the shank exterior. This lateral force increases the load that may
be placed on the screw in an axial direction before the screw is
stripped out of the bone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cross-connector device
having two pivotable clamping members at each end.
[0039] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG.
1.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1
with the clamping members positioned at outer ends of adjustment
slots to adjust the distance between clamping members.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with one
of the clamping members pivoted with respect to the central axis of
the connecting bridge member.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a second cross-connector
device having opposed clamp members and a central adjustment
mechanism.
[0043] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 5
showing adjustment of the length of the device by the translation
of a cross rod portion through a central housing.
[0044] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG. 5
showing the two halves of the cross-connector with locking
actuators removed.
[0045] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG.
5 showing the interior of the central housing that receives the
cross rod in order to adjust the relative positions and
orientations of the clamp members.
[0046] FIG. 9 is a first occipital plate device having sliding and
pivoting rod receiving members that receive a pair of spinal rods
in a polyaxial arrangement.
[0047] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the occipital plate device
shown in FIG. 9.
[0048] FIG. 11 is a perspective partially exploded view of the
plate device of FIGS. 9 and 10 from the front.
[0049] FIG. 12 is a perspective partially exploded view of the
plate device of FIG. 9 from the rear.
[0050] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the plate device of FIGS.
9-12.
[0051] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the assembled plate device
of FIGS. 9-13 from the rear to illustrate the curvature of the
plate member.
[0052] FIG. 15 is a partial cross sectional view of a rod receiving
device coupled to a plate member.
[0053] FIG. 16 is a partial cross sectional view of the slidable
coupling elements of the device of FIG. 10.
[0054] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another adjustable
occipital plate device wherein rods are received in set
orientations with respect to rod receiving devices.
[0055] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 17 from
the rear.
[0056] FIG. 19 is a side view of the device of FIG. 17.
[0057] FIG. 20 is a perspective partially exploded view of the
device of FIG. 17 illustrating the slidable members that couple the
rod receiving device to the plate member.
[0058] FIG. 21 is a perspective partially exploded view of the
device of FIG. 17 from the rear illustrating the slidable members
that couple the rod receiving device to the plate member.
[0059] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another occipital plate
device including two slidable and polyaxial yoke members mounted to
a track member that is coupled to a plate member.
[0060] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG.
22.
[0061] FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 22.
[0062] FIG. 25 is a perspective exploded view of the device of FIG.
22.
[0063] FIG. 26 is an exploded view of the yoke member and
associated swivel base illustrated in FIG. 22.
[0064] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the yoke member and
associated swivel base illustrated in FIG. 22 slidably mounted in a
guide track of the device.
[0065] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a plate device similar to
that shown in FIG. 22.
[0066] FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the plate device of FIG.
28.
[0067] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a multi-articulated plate
device for securing spinal rods including telescoping rod receiving
members.
[0068] FIG. 31 is a side perspective view of the device in FIG.
30.
[0069] FIG. 32 is a front view of the device of FIG. 30 with the
locking cap and spinal rod removed from one rod receiving
device.
[0070] FIG. 33 is a perspective partially exploded view of the
device of FIG. 30.
[0071] FIG. 34 is a perspective partially exploded view from the
rear of the device of FIG. 30.
[0072] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a multi-articulated plate
device having arms with a plurality of ball-and-socket connections
slidably mounted to a plate member.
[0073] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the device from FIG. 35
from above.
[0074] FIG. 37 is a partially exploded view of the device of FIG.
35 showing the components of the slidably mounted
multi-articulating arms.
[0075] FIG. 38 is another perspective partially exploded view of
the device of FIG. 35 showing the components of the slidably
mounted multi-articulating arms.
[0076] FIG. 39 is a perspective partially exploded view from the
rear of the device of FIG. 35 showing the components of the
slidably mounted multi-articulating arms.
[0077] FIGS. 40 and 41 are perspective views of the plate device
from FIG. 35 illustrating the sliding mechanism coupled
thereto.
[0078] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a plate device having
sliding rod receiving members and multi-function locking
actuators.
[0079] FIG. 43 is a perspective partially exploded view of the
device in FIG. 42.
[0080] FIG. 44 is a perspective partially exploded view from the
rear of the device in FIG. 42.
[0081] FIG. 45 is a front view of a plate device with rotatable
arms.
[0082] FIG. 46 is a perspective exploded view of the device from
FIG. 45.
[0083] FIG. 47 is a perspective exploded view of the device from
FIG. 45 from the rear.
[0084] FIG. 48 is a front view of a quick-locking plate device
having a single actuator to lock a pair of spinal rods.
[0085] FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the device from FIG.
48.
[0086] FIG. 50 is a perspective exploded view of the device from
FIG. 48.
[0087] FIG. 51 is a perspective exploded view from the rear of the
device from FIG. 48.
[0088] FIGS. 52 and 53 are perspective views of screws for mounting
the plate members disclosed herein.
[0089] FIG. 54 is a front view of another plate device having
sliding rod receiving members, flexible clamping members, and
multi-function locking actuators.
[0090] FIG. 55 is a front perspective view of the device shown in
FIG. 54.
[0091] FIG. 56 is a rear perspective view of the device shown in
FIG. 54.
[0092] FIG. 57 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG.
54.
[0093] FIG. 58 is an illustration of a prior art occipital plate
device for securing a pair of spinal rods.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0094] FIGS. 1-4 show a cross connector device 2001 that includes a
bridge member 2002 and two separate clamping members 2003 for
coupling the device to a pair of spinal rods. The illustrated clamp
members 2003 each include a body portion 2037 and a clamping jaw
portion 2033, with the clamping jaw portion 2033 formed adjacent an
arcuate recess 2031 for receiving and holding in place a spinal rod
2005. As illustrated, each clamp member 2003 is a unitary construct
and the body portion 2037 and the clamping jaw portion 2003 have
arcuate surface portions 2032 and 2034 which cooperate to form the
arcuate recess 2031, with clamping jaw 2033 being a relatively thin
flexible portion that is integral to the clamp body 2037.
Alternatively, the jaw portion may be a separate member that is
pivotable with respect to the clamp body 2037.
[0095] The clamping members 2003 are independently coupled to the
central elongate bridge member 2002 by locking actuators 2004,
which pass through elongate adjustment slots 2025 at each end of
the bridge member 2002 and allow the clamping members 2003 to
translate with respect to the bridge member. Translation of the
clamping members 2003 along the elongate slots 2025 of the bridge
member allows the distance between the pair of clamping members
2003 to be increased or decreased. The locking actuators 2004 also
allow the clamping members 2003 to be independently rotated about
actuator axes 2048. Pivoting of the clamping members 2003 allows
the respective axes of the arcuate recesses 2031 to be canted
relative to the central axis of the elongate bridge member 2002,
and relative to one another, to receive a pair of non-parallel
spinal rod segments. Pivoting also allows each clamping member to
be positioned at separate levels of the spine with the bridge
member 2002 traversing the distance between the spinal rods at an
oblique angle to the axis of the spine, so that the device extends
between adjacent vertebrae at different spine levels. If desired,
the two clamping members may be positioned so that their arcuate
recesses 2031 are parallel while the central bridge member connects
to each clamping member at an oblique angle. Tightening of the
locking actuator 2004, as described further below, simultaneously
locks its respective clamp member 2003 in place relative to the
bridge member 2002.
[0096] The bridge member 2002 may be made of a flexible or
malleable material if desired, so that the bridge member can be
bent and positioned as desired. For instance, the bridge member may
be bent to form an arch that avoids one or more posterior processes
of the vertebrae while the clamp members 2003 are held closer to
the spine. A variety of interchangeable bridge members having
different shapes and sizes may also be provided as a kit, so that a
surgeon may select a bridge member with the appropriate length and
shape for a given situation and attach any two interchangeable
clamping members 2003 to the selected bridge member. Clamping
members of various sizes may also be included in the kit in order
to accommodate rods of varying diameter.
[0097] A spinal rod is secured within the arcuate recess 2031 of
the clamp member 3 by the action of the associated locking actuator
2004 that clamps the spinal rod between the thinner jaw portion
2033 and the thicker clamp body 2037. The configuration of the
illustrated clamp member 2003 and locking actuator 2004 are such
that a single actuator causes each clamping member 2003 to clamp a
spinal rod in place.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 2, each locking actuator 2004 has an
elongate shank 2041 extending along actuator axis 2048 and having a
threaded portion 2045 having external threads complementary to
internal threads of a threaded bore 35 in the clamping member 2003.
Rotation of the locking actuator 2004 with respect to the clamping
member 2003 advances the locking actuator shank 2041 through the
threaded bore 2035 of the clamping member 2003, eventually causing
the end 2043 of the locking actuator 2004 to contact and cammingly
engage the flexible jaw portion 2033 of the clamping member 2003.
The flexible jaw portion 2033 deflects inward as the locking
actuator 2004 is further advanced, reducing the size of the arcuate
recess 2031 by shifting arcuate surface portion 2034 to exert a
clamping force on a spinal rod positioned within the recess
2031.
[0099] Additionally, the rotation of the locking actuator 2004
simultaneously locks the position of the clamping member 2003 with
respect to the bridge member 2002. Thus, the device may be fully
locked against adjustment by manipulating only two actuators. The
bridge member 2002 has a track portion 2027 at each end configured
to receive and guide the locking actuator 2004 in order to adjust
and lock the clamp member 2003. Each track portion includes an
elongate guide track 2021 that allows sliding or translation of the
head portion 2042 of the locking actuator 2004, as well as an
elongate slot portion 2025 sized to allow the shank portion 41 to
pass therethrough without allowing passage of the head portion
2042. As the threaded shank portion 2045 of the locking actuator 4
advances through the threaded bore 2035 of the clamp member, the
track portion 2027 of the bridge member 202 is clamped between the
head portion 2042 of the locking actuator 2004 and the upper
surface of the clamp body 2037. The locking actuator 2004 and
clamping member 2003 are configured to provide sufficient clamping
force to avoid rotation and translation of the clamping member 2003
with respect to the bridge portion 2002.
[0100] The arcuate recess 2031 is preferably configured and sized
to closely match the exterior contour of a spinal rod 2005 when the
jaw portion 2033 is in a neutral (unlocked position) so as to have
a snap-fit thereon. Such a configuration allows the clamping member
2003 to snap-lock to the spinal rod prior to locking with the
actuator 2004. As the spinal rod enters the arcuate recess 2031,
the flexible jaw portion 2033 deflects outward in order to receive
the spinal rod. As the spinal rod is positioned against the arcuate
recess 2031, the flexible jaw portion 2033 shifts back to its
original position and friction between the surfaces provides a
provisional locking force between the spinal rod 2005 and arcuate
surfaces 2032 and 2034. Although sufficient force may cause the
clamp member 3 to slide along the spinal rod or release the spinal
rod from this provisional lock, the clamping member 2003 will not
easily fall away from the spinal rod. Tightening of the locking
actuator 2004 braces the flexible jaw portion 2033 against the
spinal rod so that the spinal rod is clamped between the flexible
jaw portion 2033 and the arcuate clamp body 2037, providing a
stronger frictional locking force and preventing the spinal rod
from releasing away from the arcuate recess 2031. Even if the
locking actuator 2004 becomes loosened after locking, the flexible
jaw portion 2033 will provide at least some locking force against
the rod, and the locking actuator 2004 will brace the flexible jaw
portion 2033 unless the actuator 2004 is retracted with respect to
the clamp body 2037.
[0101] It has been found that the unitary clamping device 2003 of
FIGS. 1-4 having a clamping body 2037 and deflectable jaw portion
2033 has exceptional holding force when clamped into place with a
rotatable screw-like locking actuator 2004 as illustrated. The
locking actuator, of course, may vary from the illustrated form,
and can include, for instance, non-threaded engagement features
such as discontinuous flanges configured to advance the locking
actuator 2004 upon rotation relative to the clamping member 2003.
The clamping member may be made of various materials, but is
preferably made from a flexibly resilient material such as Nitinol
in order to allow for locking, unlocking, and re-locking of the
spinal rod.
[0102] As shown in FIGS. 5-8, a cross connecting device 2050 may
also be provided with a central housing 2053 configured to permit
adjustment of the relative positions of two opposed clamping
devices 2060, 2080. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping
devices 2060, 2080 operate in a manner similar to previously
described clamping members 2003 of FIGS. 1-4 in order to lock a
spinal rod. For example, clamp device 2080 is a unitary construct
that includes a flexible jaw portion 2093 that forms an arcuate
recess 2091 for receiving a spinal rod. A locking actuator 2084 is
provided so that advancement of the threads 2085 of the actuator
2084 into the clamp body 2090 contacts the deflectable jaw 2093 to
compress the jaw portion against a spinal rod positioned in the
arcuate recess, locking it in place. Likewise, the opposite clamp
device 2060 includes a clamp body 2070, deflectable jaw portion
2073, and locking actuator 2064 that operate in the same manner.
The locking actuator 2064, like other locking actuators described
herein, may have exterior threads 2065, or alternatively may
contain other features in order to allow advancement of the
actuator toward the associated jaw portion 2073 and provide a
locking force against a spinal rod positioned in the associated
arcuate recess.
[0103] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, the first
clamping device 2060 is fixed to a cross rod portion 2055 that is
received in a central housing 2053 that is coupled to the second
clamping device 2080. The central housing 2053 has a transverse
throughbore 2056 that permits translation of the cross rod portion
2055 therethrough in order to adjust the length of the device 2050
and distance between the clamp devices. The cross rod 2055 may also
be rotated and pivoted vertically or laterally within the central
housing 2053 in order to change the orientation of the arcuate
recess 2071 of the clamp member 2060.
[0104] As best shown in FIG. 6, the second clamping member 2080 may
be provided with a cutout 2057 adjacent the central housing 2053 so
that the device has a lowered elongated body portion 2058 between
the clamping head portion 2080 and the central housing portion
2053. The lowered body portion 2058 the cross rod end 2055 may
extend through the transverse opening 2056 without interference
from the clamp member 2080. The free end of the cross rod 2055 may
be advanced through the central housing 2053 and into the cutout
area 2057 above the lowered body portion 2058 in order to reduce
the overall length of the device. The relative sizes of the cross
rod 2055 and throughbore 2056 and the ability to extend the end of
the cross rod 2055 through the housing 2053 rather containing the
cross rod end entirely within the housing allows for relatively
free pivoting of the first clamp member 2060 about the central
housing 2053 even when the cross rod is in a retracted position,
while still allowing the central housing 2053 to be relatively
small and low profile.
[0105] As seen in FIG. 7, the cross rod 2055 may be locked in the
central housing 2053 with a locking mechanism such as a set screw
2051 with external threads 2053 that interact with internal threads
2054 of a central locking bore 2052 of the housing. In order to
assist in locking of the cross rod and pivoting of the cross rod
within the housing, a compressible locking collar 2100 may be
included. The illustrated locking collar 2100 has an annular body
2101 that extends about a central opening 2102 that receives the
cross rod 2055 and a series of slits 103 that allow the collar to
compress about the cross rod as the set screw 2051 clamps down on
the collar 2100 placed within the central housing. As shown in the
cross-sectional view of FIG. 8, a retainer in the form of a peg
2107 within the central housing 2053 may be provided to fit within
a recess 2107 in the exterior of the locking collar 2100 in order
to limit movement of the locking collar 2100 within the central
housing 2053.
[0106] The plate devices disclosed hereinafter are optimized in
their configuration for receiving and holding spinal rod members
over prior art plate devices configured for mounting to the
occipital region of the skull. For instance, to illustrate the
contrast between the presently disclosed occipital plate devices
and the prior art, a prior art device that requires spinal rods to
be bent substantially to be received by the plate device attached
to the skull is shown in FIG. 9. A clamping device 3 on each side
of the plate 2 secures an end of a spinal rod 5 parallel to the
plate surface. The clamping device may include a threaded set screw
that clamps against the spinal rod, a bracket that is secured
against the rod, or the like. A series of pedicle screws 7 secure
the rods 5 to the vertebrae. Since the plate 2 and clamp devices 3
are mounted transverse to the axis of the spine, the spinal rods 5
must be bent outward away from the spine in order to connect to the
plate 2.
[0107] The plate devices provided herein have improved
adjustability and/or are more easily locked to fix the spinal rods
in place.
[0108] One embodiment of an occipital plate member with adjustable
rod receiving heads is shown in FIGS. 9 through 16. The illustrated
device includes a relatively flat plate member 10 configured to be
secured to the patient's skull. Note that, although the plate
member is relatively flat, it need not be planar, and preferably
has a slight curvature to match the surface of the occipital region
of the skull. The plate may also be provided with grooves or
notches 19 at particular points along its surface in order to
enhance the bendability of the plate at those points in order to
better match the curvature of the skull.
[0109] The plate member 10 includes a plurality of apertures 12 for
receiving anchor members that secure the plate member 10 to the
skull. The apertures 12 may have tapered surfaces in order to
center the anchor members disposed therein. For instance, the rim
17 surrounding each aperture may be curved or beveled in order to
form a spherical or conical seating surface for the head of an
anchor member. The plate body includes a lower lobe portion 13 for
mounting to the surface of the skull and lateral arm portions 4
that diverge from the surface of the skull when the plate 10 is
mounted. The arms 14 serve as connection points for rod receiving
members.
[0110] In the device of FIGS. 9-16, rod receiving heads 20 are
coupled to the plate member 10 by a sliding pivot connector 30. As
shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the sliding pivot connector includes a
bolt 31 and a sliding member or washer 35 with an opening 36 in
which the bolt 31 is received. The bolt 31 has an enlarged head 32
and a narrower shank portion 33 that is slidably disposed in the
slot or guide track 15 of the plate's lateral arm 14 and threadably
connected to the opening 26 in the arm 25 of a rod receiving device
via a threaded shank portion 34.
[0111] The spinal rods 40 and rod receiving devices 20 shown in
FIG. 10 are designed to interact in a polyaxial manner. The rods 40
each have a partially spherical or curvate head 41 that is enlarged
with respect to the body of the rod 40. The rod head 41 may be
formed integral with the rod 40, or may be a separate member that
is secured to the rod 40 by a threaded connection, welding, or any
other method. A cavity 22 (but seen in FIG. 11) in the rod
receiving member 20 is configured to receive the enlarged head 41.
The cavity may be semi-spherical or curved if desired in order to
receive the rod head 41 to form a ball and socket connection,
allowing the rod 40 to be pivoted to a number of different angles
with respect to the rod receiving device 20 while still having the
rod head 41 fully seated within the cavity 22 of the rod receiving
device. A locking member is provided in order to prevent the rod
head 41 form exiting the cavity 22. The locking member 27 may be a
set screw or similar device, although the configuration of the
locking member is not crucial as long as it is capable of engaging
the rod receiving member 20 and securing the rod head 41 thereto.
The locking member 27 shown includes an internal tool interface 28
to facilitate rotation of the locking member in order to advance
the locking member along the threaded aperture of the receiving
member.
[0112] In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 40 is
inserted into a threaded aperture 24 of the rod receiving device
and into contact with the rod head 41 positioned within the rod
receiving device. When the locking member 27 is fully threaded into
the aperture 24, the leading end of the locking member presses
against the rod head 41, forcing the rod head against the interior
surface of the receiving device 20, applying frictional forces that
prevent the rod 40 from further pivoting. This provides the device
and the spinal rods connected thereto with structural rigidity in
order to partially or fully immobilize the skull and spinal column.
The cavity 22 of the receiving member 20 may be sized to mate
closely with the exterior of the curvate spinal rod head 41 in
order to increase the frictional forces that prevent pivoting of
the rod 40.
[0113] The threaded aperture 24 for the locking member may, but
need not, intersect with the opening 23 that receives the rod head
41, as long as the rod receiving device 20 still has the structural
integrity to hold the rod head 41 in place once the locking member
27 is in a fully locked position.
[0114] The rod receiving device 20 may be positioned at various
distances and angles with respect to the plate body 11 due to an
articulated coupling between the receiving device 20 and the plate
arm 14. Sliding of the connector 35 along the guide track 15 in the
arm of the plate (back and forth along directions A and B) adjusts
the distance of the receiving member 20 from the center of the
plate. Since the guide tracks 15 of the two plate arms are disposed
at oblique angles relative to the midline of the plate and one
another, sliding of the bolt 31 therethrough may be used to
simultaneously adjust the lateral distance between the two rod
receiving members 20 and the overall length of the plate device.
However, the receiving devices 20 may also pivot about their
respective bolts 31.
[0115] For instance, the rod receiving member 20 on the right side
of the device in FIG. 2 may swing inward (medially) in direction C
to return closer to the midline of the plate and the spine, and may
swing outward (laterally) in direction D in order to increase the
spacing of spinal rods received thereby. Through a combination of
sliding and pivoting movement, the rod receiving members 20 may be
adjusted to a multitude of positions to receive spinal rods of
various spacings and orientations.
[0116] The sliding pivot connector 30 allows the receiving device
20 to be locked against both sliding and pivoting movement by
manipulating a single locking member. The turning of the bolt 31 of
the sliding pivot connector in a first direction clamps the rod
receiving device arm 25 against the plate lateral arm 14, locking
the position of the two components relative to one another.
Rotation of the bolt 31 in an opposite direction releases the
clamping force between the rod receiving device arm 25 and the
plate lateral arm 14, allowing the rod receiving device 20 to pivot
about the bolt 31. Therefore, a surgeon may swing the arm 25 of the
rod receiving device 20 into position so that the cavity 22 of the
device properly receives a spinal rod, whereupon the surgeon may
tighten the bolt 31 in order to prevent further movement of the rod
receiving device 20 with respect to the plate member 20.
[0117] The sliding member 35, in addition to being disposed between
the head 32 of the bolt and the plate arm 14 and acting as a washer
and to help secure the bolt 31, may also extend into the guide
track 15 in order to better guide the sliding pivot connector. For
instance, as shown in FIG. 4, the sliding member 35 may include
projections 37 on the underside thereof that are fitted to be
received in the guide track 15 of the plate arm 14.
[0118] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate that a lower lobe 13 of the plate
body 11, which is positioned between the lateral arms 14 of the
plate, curves upward relative to the arms 14. The lower lobe 13 is
configured to follow the contours of the skull, maintaining contact
with the bone while the arms 14 extend away from the skull at an
angle. This configuration positions the rod receiving members 20
away from the skull to provide clearance for the receiving members
to better receive the spinal rods connected to the spinal
column.
[0119] The plate device of FIG. 9 is shown in plan view in FIG. 13.
The sliding member 35 and connecting bolt 31 may slide along guide
track 15 in order to extend the receiving devices outward in
direction B. The rod receiving devices 20 are also capable of
pivoting about the bolts 31 in order to swing laterally in
direction D or medially in direction C. Each rod receiving device
20 may be separately adjusted in order to best receive a spinal
rod. The spinal rods are not disposed in the receiving members in
this figure, providing an unobstructed view of the spherical
cavities 22 of the rod receiving members 20.
[0120] The occipital plate device of FIG. 9 can be seen in a
perspective side view in FIG. 14. This view illustrates the shape
of the plate member, which allows it to lie against the surface of
the occipital region of the skull. The lower lobe 13 of the plate
curves upward in order to lie against the skull, while the lateral
arms 14 are canted downward and away from the skull to provide
clearance for the receiving device arms 25 that are positioned
between the plate arms 14 and the skull. A groove 18 is provided
above the lower lobe 13 to facilitate bending of the lower lobe 13
for positioning against the surface of the skull.
[0121] A cross sectional view of the rod receiving device 20 is
provided in FIG. 15. One side of one of the rod receiving members
20 is cut away to reveal the spherical cavity 22 and threaded
aperture 24 therein. FIG. 8 provides a cross section of a portion
of the plate arm 14 and the arm 25 of the rod receiving portion,
illustrating how the two portions are coupled together. As
previously described, a bolt 31 is disposed in an elongate aperture
that forms a guide track 15 in the plate body 11. The enlarged head
32 of the bolt is nested on the sliding member 35 that slides along
the guide track 15. The shank 33 of the bolt passes through the
guide track 15, and a threaded portion 34 of the bolt is threaded
into the arm 25 of the rod receiving portion. The head portion 32
of the bolt may be polygonal or otherwise shaped to facilitate
turning with a wrench, nut driver, or other instrument. The turning
of the threading of the bolt 31 relative to the rod receiving
device arm 25 forces the bolt head 32 and the arm 25 against the
lateral plate arm 14, clamping the plate arm 14 between the sliding
member 35 and the rod receiving device arm 25. This clamping force
creates friction that prevents the bolt 31 and the rod receiving
device arm 25 from further movement along the guide track 15, and
also prevents pivoting of the rod receiving device arm 25 about the
bolt. The surfaces of the arms 25 and 14 may be roughened or
otherwise contoured in order to enhance the locking force between
the two when clamped together.
[0122] An alternative embodiment of an occipital plate device is
shown in FIGS. 17-21. The embodiment illustrated in these figures
is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10-16 except that
the spinal rods are received in only one orientation rather than in
a polyaxial manner. The illustrated device includes a relatively
flat plate member 110 configured to be secured to the patient's
skull, the plate member including a main plate body 111, two
lateral plate arms 114, and a lower lobe 113 located between the
lateral plate arms. Each of the main plate body and the lower lobe
include a plurality of openings for bone screws designed to mount
the plate member to bone. The plate member illustrated has a slight
curvature to better match the surface of the occipital region of
the skull than a flat plate.
[0123] In the device of FIGS. 17-21, rod receiving members 120 are
coupled to the plate member 110 by a sliding pivot connector 130.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the sliding pivot connector includes a
bolt 131 and a sliding member or washer 135. As with other sliding
members disclosed herein, the sliding members may be made of any
suitably strong material, but are preferably made of a
semi-flexible material such as nickel-titanium alloys (Nitinol) and
other similar alloys. The bolts 131 each have an enlarged head 132
and a narrower shank portion 133 that is slidably disposed in the
slot or guide track 115 of the plate's respective lateral arms 114
and connected to one of the rod receiving members 120.
[0124] Each of the spinal rods may pass fully through a bore 122 in
its respective rod receiving member 120. The bores 122 are
positioned to receive spinal rods in an orientation transverse to
the surface of the plate body 111. A locking member 127 is received
in an opening 124 of the receiving member and protrudes into the
bore 122 from a transverse direction and applies force to each
spinal rod in order to lock the rod in a fixed position within its
respective rod receiving bore 122. The locking member 127 may be a
threaded set screw or similar device, although the configuration of
the locking member is not crucial as long as it is capable of
engaging the rod receiving member 120 and securing a spinal rod
therein.
[0125] The opening 124 for receiving the locking member should be
formed to interlock with the locking member 127. For instance, the
embodiment shown in FIG. 12 includes a threaded locking member 127
and a corresponding threaded opening 124 in the receiving member.
When the locking member 127 is fully threaded into the receiving
member 120, the leading end of the locking member presses against a
rod that is disposed within the bore 122 of the receiving member,
forcing the rod against the interior surface of the receiving
device 120, applying frictional forces that prevent the rod from
sliding through the bore 122. This provides the device and the
spinal rods connected thereto with structural rigidity in order to
partially or fully immobilize the skull and spinal column.
[0126] The locking members of FIGS. 17-21 have polygonal heads to
facilitate manipulation with a wrench or nut driver, although
locking members with internal drive recesses, as shown in FIG. 10,
may alternatively be used. The locking members 127 may have a head
portion of the same size and shape as that of the connecting bolt
131 of the slidable connector if desired, allowing manipulation of
both types of members with the same tool.
[0127] The turning of the bolt 131 of the sliding pivot connector
130 in a first direction clamps the bolt head and an arm 125 of the
rod receiving member against the plate lateral arm 114, locking the
position of the two components relative to one another. The bolt
131 may be coupled to the receiving member arm 125 in any manner,
including a threaded interface, welding, or a pivotable connection.
Rotation of the bolt 131 in an opposite direction releases the
clamping force between the rod receiving device arm 125 and the
plate lateral arm 114, allowing the rod receiving device 120 to
pivot about the bolt 131.
[0128] As in the previous embodiment, the sliding member 135 is
disposed between the head 132 of the bolt and the plate arm 114,
thereby acting as a washer and helping to secure the bolt 131. In
addition, the sliding member also may extend into the arm guide
track 115 in order to better guide the sliding pivot connector 130.
For instance, the sliding member 135 may include projections 137 on
the underside thereof that are fitted to be received in the guide
track 115 of the plate arm 114.
[0129] As with the previous embodiment, the lower lobe 113 of the
plate body 111, which is positioned between the lateral arms 114 of
the plate, curves relative to the arms 114. The lower lobe 113 is
configured to approximate the contour of the skull, maintaining
contact with the bone while the arms 14 extend away from the skull
at an angle. This configuration positions the rod receiving members
120 away from the skull to better receive the spinal rods connected
to the spinal column. A groove 119 or the like may be provided to
facilitate bending of the lower lobe or any other portion of the
plate body 111.
[0130] In another aspect, a plate member 211 may be connected to a
track member 250 to which a pair of rod receiving members or yoke
members 270 are slidably connected, as shown in FIGS. 22-27. The
sliding of the yoke members 270 along the track member 250 allows
the distance between the yoke members to be adjusted so that the
yoke members 270 may capture spinal rods having various
orientations and distances from one another.
[0131] The track member 250 includes a guide slot or guide track
252 along its upper surface along which the yoke members 270 may
slide. The yoke members 270 may be coupled to the track member 250
in a manner that allows for rotation and/or pivoting in one or more
planes in addition to sliding in order to easily capture spinal
rods positioned at various orientations.
[0132] For instance, the yoke members 270 each may be provided with
a swivel base 280 mounted in the guide track 252, with the swivel
bases configured to be coupled to the yoke members 270 in a manner
that allows the yoke members 270 to be variously positioned. For
instance, the swivel base 280 may allow the yoke member 270 to be
rotated and/or pivoted in various planes in order to vary the
orientation of the rod channel 275 in the yoke member.
[0133] The yoke members 270 illustrated in FIG. 22 are U-shaped
members with upright arms 276 that form a channel 275 therebetween
sized and shaped to receive a spinal rod. The bottom of the channel
275 may be rounded in order to cradle the spinal rod and provide
line contact with the rod, or may alternatively be of another shape
or configuration. The yoke members 270 also are configured to
receive a locking member that secures a spinal rod within the
channel 275. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior surface of
the yoke members 270 are provided with threads 277 that interlock
with complementary threads of set-screw type locking members.
Alternatively, the yoke members may be configured to receive other
type of locking members, such as an exterior nut. The yokes 270
also alternatively may be configured to receive various types of
interior or exterior non-threaded locking members, including but
not limited to bayonet-style locking members and the locking caps
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,141,051; U.S. Published Application
No. 2008/0045955; and U.S. Published Application No.
2007/0225711.
[0134] The yoke members 270 of the plate device 210 that secure the
ends of the spinal rods may be of the same type provided for
mounting to the vertebrae to secure other portions of the spinal
rods, in order to allow for interchangeability of parts.
Alternatively, the yoke members may be of a different type with
different locking members than are provided for securing the spinal
rods to vertebrae.
[0135] The swivel base 280 that couples the track member 250 to the
yoke member 270 may have an enlarged portion disposed in a space
256 located below the guide track opening 255 of the track member,
as best seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 15. This allows
the swivel base 280 to translate along the guide track 255 without
disengaging therefrom. In the illustrated device, the swivel base
280 includes an enlarged base portion 281 that is wider than the
guide track opening 255. The base portion 280 is provided with
clearance to translate through an open space 256 located below the
guide track 255. The base portion is connected to a narrower neck
portion 285 sized and configured to be slidably disposed through
the guide track 255. A head portion 282 is connected to the neck
portion 285 and serves as a coupling point for the yoke member
270.
[0136] The head of the swivel base advantageously may be partially
spherical in order to allow the yoke member 270 seated thereon to
pivot in a plurality of directions. Due to the size of the base
portion 281 of the swivel base 280, the head portion 282 must be
provided with a suitable means for insertion into the yoke member
270. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment the head portion
282 of the swivel base 280 is inserted into the yoke member 270
from below. In order to allow the head portion 282 to be inserted
but inhibit it from backing out of the yoke member 270, the head
portion 282 is provided with a compression gap 283 that allows the
two halves of the head portion to deflect toward one another,
reducing the width of the head and allowing it to pass through an
opening in the lower portion of the yoke member 270.
[0137] Once the head member 282 is positioned inside the interior
space 271 of the yoke member, the halves of the head will
resiliently shift outward away from one another, returning to their
original position. This resilient shifting of the halves of the
head portion 282 provides a snap-lock connection between the swivel
base 280 and the yoke member 270, coupling them together. At this
point, a force must be applied to the head portion in order to
force the halves of the head together to allow the head portion to
escape through the lower opening of the yoke member. In order to
prevent the escape of the head portion, a pin or wedge may be
forced into the gap 283 between the head halves, forcing the halves
of the head portion apart so that the overall profile of the head
portion is too large to exit the yoke member 270.
[0138] If desired, the head portion of the swivel base 280 may be
configured with multiple compression/expansion gaps, or may be
initially sized to fit easily into the yoke member from below and
then expanded by the insertion of a pin, wedge, or other expansion
member that deforms the head portion and increases its diameter to
a point that it cannot exit the yoke. Alternatively, other methods
of positioning the head portion 282 within the interior space 271
of the yoke member 270 may be employed. For instance, the head
portion may be provided as a separate component that is loaded into
the yoke member 270 from the top and then connected to the neck
portion 285 or base portion 281, such as through a threaded
connection.
[0139] The interior space of the yoke member 270 includes a seat
portion 278 that seats the lower portion of the swivel base head
portion 282. The seat portion 278 of the yoke member may be curvate
or semispherical in order to approximate the surface of the swivel
base head portion 282, potentially providing multiple points of
contact between the yoke member and swivel base. Alternatively, the
seat 278 of the yoke member may have another shape, and may only
contact the swivel base head portion 282 at distinct points if
desired.
[0140] When the head portion 282 is spherical, as illustrated, the
yoke member 270 may be tilted in any direction and rotated about
its axis to align the channel 275 of the yoke along various axes to
receive spinal rods of various orientations. Combined with the
sliding movement of the swivel base 280 along the guide track 255,
the yoke member 270 is provided with a wide variety of possible
positions. Preferably, the neck portion 285 is sized and configured
so as to provide the necessary strength to securely couple the
track member 250 to the yoke member 270 while still allowing the
yoke member 270 to tilt to a relatively large range of angles
without interfering with the lower surface of the yoke member.
[0141] If desired, the head portion of the swivel base may be
shaped to provide tilting of the yoke member 270 in only a set
number of directions. For instance, the head portion may be
cylindrical to provide size-to-side tilting of the yoke member
270.
[0142] The swivel bases 280 should be provided with a locking
mechanism in order to lock their lateral positions and firmly hold
spinal rods in place relative to the plate body 211. In the
illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a locking
plate 275 and a locking actuator 258. The illustrated locking
actuator is a threaded bolt disposed in the track member 250 and
threadably disposed in the locking plate 257 so that rotation of
the bolt 258 in a locking direction draws the locking plate 257
upward toward the plate member 250. This upward movement of the
locking plate 257 reduces the size of the space 256 below the track
member 250, and clamps the base portions 281 of the swivel bases
280 between the locking plate 257 and the track member 250.
[0143] The clamping force of the locking plate 257 should be
sufficient to prevent further translation of the swivel bases 280
along the guide track 255. Advantageously, the configuration of the
illustrated locking plate allows for a single, centrally positioned
locking actuator 258 to lock the positions of both swivel bases 280
simultaneously. Although shown as a bolt device, the locking
actuator may be configured in a variety of ways, including but not
limited to various rotatable on non-rotatable non-threaded devices,
for instance a bayonet style mechanism with angled flanges or slots
paired with complementary structures in the locking member 257
and/or the track member 250.
[0144] The locking actuator may be provided with a mechanism that
prevents it from separating from the locking plate. For instance,
an anti-backout pin 259 may be coupled to the actuator 258 and
configured to abut the bottom of the locking plate 257 to prevent
the actuator from exiting out of the top end of the locking plate.
The anti-backout pin 259 may be configured to be snap-locked into a
bore of the actuator 258, or may be coupled thereto by welding or
other means.
[0145] The moving parts of the plate device of FIG. 22 can best be
seen in the exploded view of FIGS. 24 and 25. FIG. 16 shows a front
exploded view, where the locking member 257 and track member 250
are separated, with the swivel bases 280 therebetween. Stop limits
297 are provided at each end of the locking plate 257 in order to
prevent the swivel bases 280 from exiting the lateral ends of the
guide tracks when the device is assembled. The yoke members 270 are
shown in FIG. 24 separated from the head portions 282 of the swivel
bases 280. In addition, insert members 290 are shown for each yoke
member. The insert members are configured to sit atop the head
portions 282 of the swivel bases 280 and assist in locking the
angular orientation of the yoke members 270.
[0146] Locking of the position of the yoke members may be
accomplished in several different ways. The illustrated yoke
members 270 are designed to lock to the generally spherical swivel
base heads 282 at a set orientation by placing a downward force on
the head portion (and a relative upward force on the yoke member
270) that presses the head portion 282 into the seat portion 278 of
the interior of the yoke member, using friction to prevent further
tilting or rotation of the yoke member 270 relative to the head
portion 282. When a yoke member is positioned at a desired angle
and a spinal rod is received in the channel 275 of the yoke, a
locking member may be inserted on top of the rod to close off the
upper end of the channel. Preferably, this locking member applies a
downward force upon the rod disposed in the channel, which then in
turn transmits the force downward upon the swivel head portion 282
to lock it against the interior of the yoke member. The locking
force may be transmitted from the spinal rod to the swivel base
head portion 282 directly or through a compression member, such as
the illustrated insert member 290. The insert member provides more
surface contact with the head portion 282 compared to the spinal
rod alone.
[0147] The illustrated insert member 290 includes a concave upper
surface 291 for seating the rod and a spherical lower surface 292
for seating upon the swivel base 280. The insert member 290 also
may include rod receiving arms 293 on its upper surface in which
the spinal rod may be snap-locked prior to full locking of the yoke
member 270. The exterior of the insert member 290 may be equipped
with wings 294 or other structures to guide the orientation of the
insert 290 as it is disposed within the yoke member 270 so that the
concave upper rod seating surface 291 and the channel 275 of the
yoke member are properly aligned. In addition, the wings 294 may
snap-lock within the interior of the yoke member 270 so that the
insert 290 exerts a compression force upon the swivel head portion
282 even prior to introduction of the spinal rod and locking member
into the yoke member 270. Configuring the insert member 290 in this
manner allows the yoke member 270 to be rotated and tilted to a
desired position and then provisionally locked in place prior to
aligning the spinal rod with the yoke member.
[0148] A perspective exploded view of the occipital plate device
210 of FIG. 22 is shown in FIG. 25. The guide tracks 255 are shown
to have open ends 253 that allow the swivel bases 280 to be slid
into the guide tracks from the sides during assembly.
Alternatively, the swivel bases 280 may have head portions sized to
pass through the guide tracks 255 from below. When the locking
plate 257 is assembled with the track member 250, the swivel bases
280 are prevented from exiting the openings 253 by the stop limits
297 of the locking plate 257. From this view, the curvature of the
arms 214 that connect the track member 250 to the plate member 211
may be seen. The arms 214 are curved so that when the plate member
211 is mounted to the occipital region of the skull, the arms 214
hold the track member 250 away from the skull and toward the spine,
positioning the yoke members 270 above the vertebrae to which
spinal rods are secured. This positions the yoke members 270 so
that they may receive spinal rods that are closely mounted parallel
to the spine without requiring the rods to be bent outward away
from the spine.
[0149] The yoke 270, swivel base 280, and insert member 290 are
shown in detail in FIG. 26 in a magnified exploded perspective
view. As previously indicated, the yoke member may include opposed
upright arms 276 that form a channel 275 therebetween for receiving
a spinal rod or other elongate member. A seating surface 271 may be
provided at the bottom of the channel 275. A seating surface 278 at
the bottom of the yoke member interior may be provided for seating
the head portion 282 of the swivel base 280. An opening 279 at the
bottom of the yoke member 270 allows the swivel base 280 to be
inserted into the yoke member 270, and the opening 279 is
preferably sized and configured to snap-lock with the swivel base
head portion 282.
[0150] The insert member 290 for the yoke member 270 is shown as
generally cylindrical to generally match the interior of the yoke
member 270. Although this is not necessary, in some instances it is
advantageous for the insert member to fit snugly in the interior of
the yoke member 270, such as when it is desired for the insert
member 290 to achieve provisional locking of the swivel base 280
relative to the yoke without the insertion of the spinal rod and a
rod locking member. The insert member upper surface may be concave
as shown in order to seat the rod thereagainst with line contact,
reducing stress risers on the rod, but other configurations are
also possible. Flexible arms 293 may also be provided to receive
the spinal rod and hold it against the upper surface 291 of the
insert member. Slits 295 may be provided in the insert in order to
allow the insert member 290 to deform slightly as pressure is
applied and the member is compressed on the swivel base head
portion 282.
[0151] In order to couple the yoke member 270 to the swivel base,
the head portion 282 of the swivel base is inserted through the
lower opening 279 of the yoke member. The slit 283 allows the head
portion 282 to compress in order to fit through the opening 279.
Once fully inserted into the yoke member interior, the head portion
282 either resiliently springs back to its original shape, or is
splayed by inserting a wedge member into the slit 283. Preferably,
even if the head 282 resiliently returns to its original width
after insertion into the yoke member a wedge, pin, or similar
member is inserted into the head portion 282 in order to prevent
the head portion from later collapsing and exiting the yoke member.
In the illustrated embodiment, the head portion 282 includes a
cylindrical opening 287 for the insertion of a pin.
[0152] After the swivel base 280 is coupled to the yoke member 270,
the yoke member may be swiveled to a desired orientation by
rotation and/or pivoting of the yoke member 270 about the head
portion 282 of the swivel base 280. The ease with which the yoke
member 270 swivels will be in part determined by the tightness of
the fit between the swivel base head portion 282 and the interior
of the yoke member. If the two members fit tightly together, some
amount of friction will be required to rotate and pivot the yoke
member 270, which may be advantageous in certain situations since
it reduces accidental movement of the yoke member.
[0153] The insert member 290 may be inserted into the top of the
yoke member 270 either before or after the insertion of the swivel
base 280. An opening or bore 296 passing through the insert may be
provided in order to allow manipulation of the swivel base 280
after the insert member 290 is disposed in the yoke member. For
instance, the bore 296 through the insert member allows access to
the cylindrical opening 287 of the swivel base for inserting a
wedge member therein. When the insert member is introduced into the
yoke member, the concave upper surface 291 of the insert member
should be properly aligned with the channel 275 of the yoke formed
by the upright arms 276 in order to allow the assembly to properly
receive a spinal rod. Wings 294, grooves, or other structures may
be provided in order to maintain proper alignment of the insert
member. As can be seen in FIG. 26, corresponding structures may
also be provided on the interior surface of the yoke, such as the
grooves that traverse the threading 277 on the interior of the yoke
arms 276. The rod may be seated on both the concave surface 291 of
the insert member and the concave seating surface 271 of the yoke
member, or only on the surface of the insert with a clearance
between the rod and the yoke seating surface 271. Alternatively,
the rod may be seated only on the seating surface 271 of the yoke,
or the assembly may be designed without an insert member so that
the rod presses directly against the head 282 of the swivel base
280.
[0154] When a spinal rod is positioned in the channel 275 of the
yoke member, downward force applied to the rod forces the insert
member 290 disposed below the rod into contact with the swivel base
280. One or more slits 295 may be provided in the insert member 290
so that the insert may deform slightly as it is compressed onto the
swivel head portion 282. To secure the spinal rod within the yoke
channel 275, a locking member may be provided that blocks the upper
end of the channel and maintains a downward force upon the rod,
which transmits the force to the insert member 290, which
compresses against the swivel head portion 282 and forces it
against the seating surface 278 of the yoke member, frictionally
locking the position of the swivel base 280 and the yoke 270
relative to one another. The locking member should be designed to
engage the yoke 270 so that it is capable of holding the spinal rod
in the channel 275. For instance, the illustrated yoke 270 has
interior threads 277 configured to receive a set screw by
rotational insertion. Recesses 272 may be provided in the exterior
of the yoke member in order to provide a gripping surface for
holding the yoke in place while the locking member is engaged.
[0155] As an alternative to a set screw locking device, the yoke
270 may be configured to receive other types of locking caps, such
as the non-threaded locking caps disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
7,141,051; U.S. Published Application No. 2008/0045955; and U.S.
Published Application No. 2007/0225711. The yoke member 270 and its
corresponding locking member may be the same as or different than
the coupling members used to secure other portions of the spinal
rods to the vertebrae of the patient.
[0156] The assembled yoke member 270 and swivel base 280 are
illustrated in the cross sectional view of FIG. 27. The base
portion 281 of the swivel base 280 is clamped between the locking
plate 257 and the track member 250, with the neck portion 285 and
head portion 282 protruding from the guide track 255 of the track
member. The yoke member 270 is pivotably mounted to the head
portion 282 of the swivel base, which is seated against the
interior seating surface 278 of the yoke member. The insert member
290 is disposed in the interior of the yoke member and seated on
top of the swivel base 280.
[0157] A similar occipital plate device 311 is illustrated in FIGS.
28 and 29, and includes a pair of yoke members 370 slidably and
pivotably coupled to a guide track 355 of a track member 350 that
is mounted to a plate body 311 having a plurality of openings 312
for anchor devices such as screws. As can be seen, the arms 314
that connect the track member 350 to the plate member 311 are of a
different shape than provided in the previous embodiment, and serve
to hold the track member 350 closer to the skull when the plate
member 311 is mounted to the occipital region of the patient's
skull.
[0158] As with the previous embodiment, the device shown in FIGS.
28-29 includes a single actuator 258 to selectively inhibit lateral
and medial translation of the yoke members 370. The exploded view
of FIG. 21 also shows pin members 389 that are insertable into the
head portions 382 of the swivel bases 380 in order to prevent
compression of the head portions and maintain positioning of the
head portions 382 within their respective yokes 370. If desired,
the head portions 282 and pins 389 may be configured so that the
pins splay the halves of the head portions 382 when inserted to an
extent that causes frictional engagement between the exterior of
the head portions 382 and the interior surfaces of their respective
yoke members 370.
[0159] Also illustrated in FIG. 29 is the anti-backout pin 359 that
maintains the coupling between the locking actuator 358 and the
locking plate 357. The actuator 358 is disposed in an opening 351
at the center of the track member and then threaded into a threaded
aperture 398 of the locking plate. Advancing the threads of the
actuator 358 through the threaded aperture 398 pulls the locking
plate 357 upward in order to clamp the swivel bases 380 against the
track member 350. The anti-backout pin 359 includes two gripping
members 359a and 359b configured for one-way linear insertion into
an axial bore of the actuator 358. The leading surfaces of these
gripping members are sloped in order to force the members to
compress together when inserted into the actuator 358 in a forward
direction, but once inserted past a widened portion of the interior
of the actuator the gripping members 359a and 359b spring apart.
The trailing ends of the gripping members are shaped to prevent
backward translation of the anti-backout pin 359. Once coupled to
the actuator, the enlarged base of the anti-backout pin 359
prevents the locking plate 357 from separating from the actuator
358.
[0160] Another example of a highly adjustable occipital plate
device 401 is shown in FIGS. 30 through 34. The device 401 includes
a plate member 410 with a plurality of holes for receiving anchor
members, a pair of telescoping arms 430 pivotably mounted to the
plate member 410 by a swivel connection 420, and rod receiving
heads 440 and 460 mounted to the telescoping arms.
[0161] The telescoping arms 430 each include a housing portion 431,
an inner arm 435, and a length adjusting member 437. The inner arm
435 is configured to translate and rotate with respect to the
housing member 430, allowing for the length and orientation of the
arm 430 to be adjusted. When the desired length and orientation is
achieved, the length adjusting member 437 may be actuated in order
to set the position of the inner arm 435 relative to the housing
430. The length adjusting member 437 may be a set screw or other
device capable of clamping the inner arm 435 to the interior of the
arm housing 431 in order to inhibit relative movement of the
components of the telescoping arm assembly 430.
[0162] In FIG. 30, two different types of rod receiving heads are
shown. The fixed rod receiving head 460 on the right hand side of
the device does not pivot or rotate with respect to the telescoping
arm and has a channel 465 to receive a spinal rod 470. The channel
465 may be closed off by the attachment of a locking cap to the rod
receiving head 460. The locking cap may take various forms.
[0163] The variable rod receiving head 440 on the left of the
device is coupled to an elbow joint 436 of the inner arm 435 of the
telescoping assembly 430, and is able to rotate thereabout. A
channel 445 is provided in the head 440 to receive a spinal rod
470. The spinal rod 470 may be locked into place in the rod
receiving head 445 by a locking cap 450, which may be rotatably
coupled to a wedge plate 455 that is positioned adjacent to the
spinal rod 470.
[0164] A perspective view of the device is shown in FIG. 31,
illustrating the positioning of the telescoping assemblies 430
relative to the plate member 410. FIG. 32 illustrates the
telescopic adjustment of one of the telescoping arm assemblies 430,
positioning the fixed rod receiving head 460 further away from the
plate member 410. The locking cap 450 is shown disengaged from the
variable rod receiving head 440, allowing the spinal rod 470 to be
removed therefrom. Threading 449 is provided about the upper
portion of the variable rod receiving head 440 in order to secure
the locking cap 450 by rotational locking of threads on the
interior of the locking cap 450 and the threading 449 on the rod
receiving device. A wedge plate 455 may be provided for placement
between the locking cap 450 and the surface of the spinal rod 470.
The illustrated wedge plate 455 includes a concave recess 457 on
the underside of the plate to mate with the surface of the rod 470,
and also includes an optional coupling feature 456 for rotatably
coupling the plate 455 to the underside of the locking member 450,
such as by a post or pin received in the coupling feature 456.
[0165] The telescoping assembly 430 is shown partially disassembled
in FIGS. 33 and 34 in order to better show its relationship to
other portions of the device. FIG. 33 illustrates a perspective
view of the device from the front (the side that faces away from
the skull when mounted), whereas FIG. 34 shows a perspective view
of the device from the rear (the side that is placed adjacent the
skull for mounting).
[0166] The annular array of teeth 480 provided around a portion of
the inner arm 435 is designed to interact with complementary teeth
481 disposed on an interior surface of the adjustable rod receiving
head 440 in order to facilitate gripping of the inner arm by the
receiving head. When a clamping force is applied to a spinal rod
received in the receiving head 440 by the locking member 450, the
inner arm 435 is pushed downward relative to the receiving head 440
and the receiving head 440 is pulled upward relative to the inner
arm 435, meshing teeth 480 together with teeth 481 to inhibit
rotational movement of the receiving head 440 about the inner arm
435. Until the locking cap 450 is secured to the receiving head
440, however, the receiving head may be rotated forward and
backward to align the channel 445 for receiving the spinal rod as
desired relative to the plate member. In the middle of the toothed
region 480 of the inner arm 435 is an annular recess 485. The
spinal rod captured by the rod receiving head will be seated
against this annular recess when fully seated. In addition, a pin
487 is provided that may be inserted into the rod receiving head
440 through a bore 449 in the side of the receiving head. When
inserted, the pin lies in the underside of the annular recess 485,
on the opposite side of the annular recess that the spinal rod
rests against, and prevents the rod receiving head 440 from
shifting from side to side along the inner arm 435. In this manner,
the receiving head 440 is prevented from sliding off of the inner
arm 435.
[0167] The length adjusting member 437 may be a bolt or other
similar device that acts to clamp the sliding inner arm 435 in
place within the housing member 341 of the telescoping arm assembly
430. The illustrated length adjusting member 437 is a threaded bolt
that advances through a threaded opening 432 in the housing 431
upon rotation. A plunger 438 and spring 439 are provided for
insertion into the bolt 427, and exert a moderate amount of
pressure against the inner arm 435 even when the bolt 427 is not
tightly clamped. The plunger thereby biases the inner arm 435 from
freely sliding through the housing 431. In addition to telescopic
sliding, the inner arm 435 may be rotated to adjust the position of
the rod receiving head 460, swinging the head forward and backward
out of the plate of the plate member 410.
[0168] The telescoping arm assembly 430 may also be adjusted by
pivoting the arm about a swivel connection 420 that couples the arm
430 to the plate member 410. The pivoting of the arm 430 shifts the
rod receiving head laterally outward or medially inward. The
pivoting of the arm is provided by a bolt 425 or other member that
passes through an opening 421 in the plate member 410 and is
coupled to the telescoping arm. In the illustrated embodiment, the
bolt 425 may be threadably coupled via its threaded shank 426 to a
threaded aperture 424 attached to the telescoping arm assembly 430.
Tightening of the bolt 425 clamps a portion of the plate member 410
between the telescoping arm 430 and the head of the bolt 425,
inhibiting movement therebetween. A circular array of teeth 423 may
be provided around the threaded opening 424 in order to assist in
preventing movement of the arm by meshing with complementary teeth
427 surrounding the opening 421 on the back surface of the plate
member 410. The meshing of the teeth when a clamping force is
exerted by the bolt 425 is much more effective for resisting
pivotal movement of the arm 430 than reliance solely on friction
between relatively flat surfaces.
[0169] Another mechanism for adjusting the positioning of rod
receiving devices relative to a plate member is shown in FIGS. 35
through 41. The plate device 501 includes a pair of elongate guide
tracks 515 in arm portions 514 of the plate member 510. Sliding
members 522 are disposed in the guide tracks, and are configured to
slide therealong. A locking member 520 inhibits movement of the
sliding member 522 by clamping the sliding member against the
perimeter of the guide track 515 of the plate body 510. A sliding
washer member 521 assists in locking the sliding member 522 in
place.
[0170] Articulating arms 530 are coupled to the plate member 510
through the sliding members at ball and socket connections 523 and
serve to position rod receiving head members 560 configured to
clamp to spinal rods or other elongate members. In the illustrated
embodiment, the receiving head members 560 include arcuate recesses
563 configured to cradle spinal rods, and a set screw clamping
member 561 disposed in the head member 560 and positioned to clamp
the spinal rod against the arcuate recess 563 when rotationally
advanced.
[0171] The articulating arms 530 of the device 501 are provided
with a plurality of articulating ball and socket connections for
each arm because they are joined to both the plate member 510 and
the rod receiving heads 560 by ball and socket connections. A
single actuator 535 simultaneously locks both ball and socket
connections 523 and 567 against movement, as will be described
below.
[0172] One of the articulating arms 530 is shown in an exploded
view in FIGS. 29, 30, and 31 in order to demonstrate locking of the
arm. The arm portion 530 is a hollow sleeve-like member with
narrowed collar portions at each end that provide openings with a
diameter less than the diameter of the internal bore of the arm
portion. A sliding member 522 that is slidably disposed in the
guide track 515 of the plate member is coupled to the articulating
arm 530 by a ball and socket connection 523 formed by a spherical
head 524 of the sliding member 522 and a spherical cavity 528 of
the arm portion 530. A side opening in the arm portion 530 allows
the spherical portion 524 to be loaded into the cavity 528 of the
arm 530. Similarly, the rod receiving head 560 has a spherical
portion 568 that is received in a second spherical cavity 569 of
the arm portion 530 to form a second ball and socket connection
567.
[0173] A locking device including a threaded locking bolt 535,
friction elements 540 and 541, and a plate 536 is provided.
Friction elements 540 and 541 are disposed within a bore 531 of the
arm portion 530, and have tapered ends 545 and 546 that are
directed toward the center of the arm. The locking bolt 535 is
threaded through the plate 536 so that turning of the bolt 535
advances the bolt downward through the arm 530. Tapered abutment
surfaces 537 are provided along the exterior of the bolt, and
advancing the bolt 535 downward by a predetermined amount causes
the abutment surfaces 537 to engage the tapered ends 545, 546 of
the friction elements, forcing the friction elements 540, 541 to
slide outward away from the bolt 535. The friction elements are
thereby forced into contact with the spherical portion 524 of the
sliding element and the spherical portion 568 of the rod receiving
head 560, clamping them against their respective cavities in the
arm portion 530. Thus, the movement of the locking bolt 535
transverse to the arm portion 530 is translated into axial locking
forces along the axis of the arm 530 that simultaneously lock the
two spherical portions 524 and 568 in place at opposite ends of the
arm portion 530.
[0174] The relationship between the sliding element 522 and the
guide track 515 is more clearly shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, with the
articulating arm removed for an unobstructed view of the plate
member 510.
[0175] FIGS. 42-44 illustrate another occipital plate design with a
plurality of apertures 612 for anchor devices and an easy locking
feature. The plate 601 includes a pair of sliding members 623
partially disposed in guide tracks 610 for shifting laterally and
medially. A single actuator 630 for each sliding member 620 locks
the position of the sliding member with respect to the plate and
locks the position of a spinal rod with respect to the sliding
member. Each sliding member 620 includes an arcuate recess 623 for
receiving a spinal rod. Adjacent the arcuate recess is a flexible
portion 625 of the sliding member. Tightening of the actuator 630
shifts the flexible portion 625 away from the actuator 630,
compressing the flexible portion 625 against a spinal rod
positioned in the neighboring arcuate recess 623.
[0176] Simultaneously with locking the rod, the actuator 630
secures the sliding member 620 with respect to the plate member
605. As best seen in the partially exploded view of FIG. 43, the
sliding member includes a clip 627 that holds the sliding member
620 along a guide track 610 in the plate. The guide track 610
includes a wider inner space 615 and a narrower window 617 that is
formed by partial enclosure of the inner space 615 by a flange 613.
The clip 627 of the sliding member is disposed in the wider inner
space 610 of the track, and connects to the rest of the sliding
member 620 through the narrow window 617. The sliding member 620
may be connected to a pin 640 or another structure that rides in a
guide slot 645 to limit movement of the sliding member, preventing
it from sliding out of the end of the guide track 610.
[0177] When the threaded portion 637 of the actuator 630 is
advanced into a threaded throughbore 629 of the sliding member 620,
the actuator abuts the plate 605, pulling the sliding portion
forward so that the clip 627 abuts the flange 613 of the guide
track. Friction between the clip 627 and the flange 613 inhibits
sliding of the sliding member 620. As can be seen from the view in
FIGS. 43 and 44, the actuator 630 is also provided with a tapered
head 635 so that advancement of the actuator 630 causes camming of
the tapered head 635 against the adjacent flexible portion 625 of
the sliding member. The resulting shifting of the flexible portion
625 reduces the size of the arcuate recess 623, allowing the device
to clamp an appropriately sized spinal rod positioned in the
arcuate recess 623.
[0178] FIGS. 45-47 illustrate yet another plate device with
articulating members for positioning and securing a pair of spinal
rods. The device includes a plate member 705 having a plurality of
openings 712 for anchor members and a pair of elongate clamp arms
710, each having a clamp jaw 715 moveably coupled to the arm. The
arm further includes a rod receiving recess 720 that can be seated
on a spinal rod. An actuator 730 associated with each arm draws the
clamping jaw 715 upward, clamping a spinal rod between the arcuate
surface 720 and the moveable jaw 715.
[0179] The arms 710 are able to pivot around a central bolt 750
that passes through both arms. Both arms are simultaneously secured
against pivoting by tightening of the central bolt 750. As shown in
FIGS. 46 and 47, the arms and plate are provided with arrays of
teeth 755 and 757 on the front and rear sides that mesh together
when the bolt 750 clamps the arms 710 against the plate member 705.
The plate member also includes a circular array of teeth 756 that
meshes with corresponding teeth 757 of the arms 710. In order to
pivot the arms 710, the teeth 755 must be allowed to slide past one
another, pushing the arms away from one another and away from the
plate. This, of course, is extremely difficult when the central
bolt 750 clamps the arms 710 against the plate 705. The teeth thus
provide an effective inhibiter of relative motion between the arms
71 and the plate 705. if desired, washers with corresponding teeth
can be positioned between the two arms and/or between the arms and
the plate to adjust the distances therebetween.
[0180] A further occipital plate design with an easy locking
feature is shown in FIGS. 48-51. The device 801 includes a plate
body 810 including a plurality of openings for receiving anchor
members. The plate body further includes a pair of recesses or
grooves 815 for receiving a spinal rods. A pair of slidable locking
elements 820 are provided that may slide to partially cover the
recesses 815, blocking the exit of an appropriately-sized spinal
rod positioned therein. The sliding members 820 are both shifted by
a central asymmetrical actuator 850. Due to the asymmetrical shape
of the actuator 850, rotation of the actuator forces the sliding
members simultaneously outward to cover the rod recesses 815 and
clamp spinal rods therein.
[0181] For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, a generally
oblong rotatable actuator 850 is positioned between the two sliding
members. When the longer dimension of the actuator 850 is oriented
vertically, the sliding members may be positioned toward the center
of the plate. However, rotating the actuator by 90 degrees to the
locked position shown in FIG. 48 causes camming of the wide
portions of the actuator against the sliding members 820, forcing
the sliding members outward, simultaneously locking both rod
recesses 815. Springs may be provided so that the sliding members
820 return to their original positions when the actuator 850 is
rotated back to the unlocked position.
[0182] FIGS. 52 and 53 illustrate an expansion screw that may be
used to mount the above-described occipital plates to the skull.
The screw 900 includes a threaded body 902 and a head portion 901.
The body includes one or more slits 905 to divide the body into a
plurality of expandable fingers that are capable of deflecting
slightly outward. The screw also includes an axial bore 903 through
most of the body of the screw. After the screw is threaded into a
body surface, an insertable camming element 920 may be linearly
inserted through the bore 903, forcing the expandable fingers 906
of the screw body slightly outward. This expandable screw has
greater holding power than traditional screws due to the increased
transverse force exerted by the camming insert and the outwardly
expandable finger portions. Thus, a shorter screw may be used to
mount the occipital plate, requiring less penetration into the bone
of the skull.
[0183] In another aspect, a plate device as shown in FIGS. 54-57 is
provided in order to stabilize spinal rods. Similarly to the device
shown in FIG. 22, the device 1010 shown in FIGS. 54-57 includes a
track member 1050 to which a pair of rod receiving or clamp members
1070 are slidably connected, as shown in FIGS. 22-27. In the
illustrated device, a locking actuator 1080 couples each clamp
member 1070 to the track member 1050, and allows relative rotation
between the clamp members and the track member. The locking
actuators 1080 are also disposed in guide slots 1052 formed in the
track member 1050, as shown in FIG. 55, to allow sliding movement
of the clamp members 1070 along a length of the track member 1050.
The sliding and rotation of the clamp members 1070 along the track
member 1050 allows the distance between the clamp members to be
adjusted so that the clamp members 1070 may capture spinal rods
having various orientations and distances from one another.
[0184] Alternatively, the clamp members may be coupled to arm
portions or other portions of the plate device without requiring
the device to include a track member.
[0185] As with previous devices described in this application, the
illustrated plate device 1010 of FIG. 54 has a plate body 1011 that
includes a number of throughholes 1012 for receiving screws or
other devices for mounting the plate device to the skull of a
patient. Cuts or grooves 1018 and 1019 in the plate body 1011
allows for bending of the plate to better accommodate the contours
of the skull. Arms 1014 may be configured to hold the track member
1050 in a desired relationship with the plate body 1011. If
desired, the arms 1014 may be hinged or articulated in order to
allow the spatial relationship of the plate body 1011 and track
member 1050 to be varied, and locking members may be provided to
selectively prevent movement of the arms 1014 when the track member
1050 is positioned as desired.
[0186] The illustrated clamp members 1070 each include a body
portion 1071 and a clamping jaw 1072 forming an arcuate recess 1073
for receiving and holding in place a spinal rod. As illustrated,
the clamping jaw 1072 is a flexible portion of the clamp body that
is secured against the spinal rod by the locking actuator 1080.
Alternatively, the jaw portion 1072 may be a separate portion that
is pivotable with respect to the clamp body 1071. The design of the
illustrated clamp member 1070 and locking actuator are such that a
single actuator 1080 causes each clamping member 1070 to clamp a
spinal rod in place and simultaneously locks the position of that
clamping member with respect to the track member 1050.
[0187] As best shown in the exploded view of FIG. 57, each clamping
member 1070 includes an arcuate recess 1073 for receiving a spinal
rod. Adjacent the arcuate recess is a flexible portion 1072 of the
clamping member. The locking actuator 1080 passes through a guide
track opening 1052 of the track member 1050 to engage the clamp
member 1070. A head portion 1082 of each locking actuator 1080 is
sized and configured so that it cannot pass through the guide track
openings 1052 of the track member 1050, while the shank portion
1083 of the locking actuator 1080 is configured so that it may be
slidably disposed within a guide track opening 1052.
[0188] Rotation of the actuator 1080 engages threading 1081 of the
actuator with a corresponding threaded bore 1078 of the clamp
member 1070, coupling the clamp member 1070 to the track member
1050 and eventually clamping the track member 1050 between the head
1082 of the locking actuator 1080 and the clamp body 1071 to fix
the clamp 1070 against sliding and rotation. Simultaneously,
tightening of the locking actuator 1080 shifts the actuator
relative to the clamp member 1070 and engages a cam surface 1085 of
the actuator with the flexible clamping jaw 1072, shifting the
flexible jaw portion 1072 away from the actuator 1080 and
compressing the flexible portion 1072 against a spinal rod
positioned in the arcuate recess 1073. In other words, rotation of
the actuator 1080, for instance utilizing tool interface 1089,
advances the locking actuator 1080 to simultaneously clamp the
clamp body 1070 against the track member 1050 and deflect resilient
jaw portion 1072 of the clamping member inward to lock a spinal rod
in place.
[0189] It has been found that the unitary clamping device 1070 of
FIGS. 54-57 having a clamping body and deflectable jaw portion 1072
has exceptional holding force when clamped into place with a
rotatable screw-like actuator 1080 as illustrated. The locking
actuator, of course, may vary from the illustrated form, and can
include, for instance, non-threaded engagement features such as
discontinuous flanges configured to advance the locking actuator
1080 upon rotation relative to the clamping member 1070. The
clamping member may be made of various materials, but is preferably
made from a flexibly resilient material such as Nitinol in order to
allow for locking and unlocking of the spinal rod.
[0190] While the invention has been described with respect to
specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying
out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are numerous variations and permutations of the above
described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *