U.S. patent application number 17/693806 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-30 for lateral plate and spinal implant system and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Spinal Elements, Inc.. Invention is credited to Timothy Spencer, Reginald Antonio Terrell, Lauren Chase Thornburg.
Application Number | 20220202587 17/693806 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220202587 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Terrell; Reginald Antonio ;
et al. |
June 30, 2022 |
LATERAL PLATE AND SPINAL IMPLANT SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A lateral plate assembly has an elongated lateral plate for
attachment to adjacent vertebrae having a first end portion and a
second end portion and a pair of apertures for receiving a first
and a second bone screw. The pair of apertures includes a first
aperture which is an opening positioned in the first end portion
for receiving the first bone screw and a second aperture which is a
slotted opening to receive the second bone screw. The second end
portion of the lateral plate has an open end with channelled
internal sides for receiving and holding a moveable washer on top
of the slotted opening. The washer is configured to move along a
length of the slotted aperture. The moveable washer has an opening
for holding a head of the second bone screw. Movement of the washer
relative to the slotted opening increases or decreases the distance
between locations of the respective screw heads.
Inventors: |
Terrell; Reginald Antonio;
(Marietta, GA) ; Thornburg; Lauren Chase;
(Atlanta, GA) ; Spencer; Timothy; (Battle Creek,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Spinal Elements, Inc. |
Carlsbad |
CA |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/693806 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16444979 |
Jun 18, 2019 |
11304820 |
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17693806 |
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15049434 |
Feb 22, 2016 |
10363145 |
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16444979 |
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62119406 |
Feb 23, 2015 |
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International
Class: |
A61F 2/44 20060101
A61F002/44; A61B 17/70 20060101 A61B017/70; A61B 17/80 20060101
A61B017/80 |
Claims
1. A lateral plate assembly comprising: an elongated lateral plate
for attachment to adjacent vertebrae having a first end portion and
a second end portion and a pair of apertures for receiving a first
and a second bone screw, the pair of apertures being a first
aperture having an opening positioned in the first end portion for
receiving the first bone screw and a second aperture having a
slotted opening to receive the second bone screw; and wherein the
second end portion of the lateral plate has an open end with
channelled internal sides for receiving and holding a moveable
washer on top of the slotted opening and configured to move along a
length of the slotted aperture, the moveable washer having an
opening for holding a head of the second bone screw, movement of
the washer relative to the slotted opening increases or decreases
the distance between locations of the respective screw heads.
2. The lateral plate assembly of claim 1 further comprises: a
threaded third aperture on the lateral plate interposed between the
first and second aperture; an anti-back out mechanism assembly
having a locking tab with an externally threaded screw and a
locking ring, wherein the threaded screw is locked to an aperture
of the locking tab and the external thread of the screw engages the
threaded third aperture of the lateral plate and wherein the two
bone screws when fastened to the vertebrae are prevented from back
out by the anti-back out mechanism as the locking tab projects over
at least portions of heads of each bone screw; and an attachment
fastener for fixing the elongated plate to the implant body, the
attachment fastener extends through a central opening of the
externally threaded screw to fix the implant body to the lateral
plate.
3. The lateral plate assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated
lateral plate has a low profile thickness.
4. The lateral plate assembly of claim 3 wherein the thickness of
the lateral plate is in the range of 3 mm to 5 mm.
5. The lateral plate assembly of claim 4 wherein the lateral plate
thickness is 4 mm.
6. The lateral plate assembly of claim 1 wherein the lateral plate
has a maximum width at the second end of 20 mm or less.
7. The lateral plate assembly of claim 6 wherein the maximum width
is 15 mm.
8. The lateral plate assembly of claim 7 wherein the anti-back out
mechanism assembly lies in the recess and extends over at least
partially the first opening and second slotted opening.
9. The lateral plate assembly of claim 8 wherein the anti-back out
mechanism assembly has an outer surface that is flush or below
relative to an outer surface of the lateral plate when tightened
into the recess.
10. The lateral plate assembly of claim 1 wherein the bone screws
each have polyaxial heads adapted to be flush or below the lateral
plate when in the respective first opening or the washer opening
when tilted on an angle in the range of -2 degrees or toward
interior center of the lateral plate or +5 degrees toward the ends
of the lateral plate yielding a total screw angulation of -4
degrees to 10 degrees between the screws when the screw heads are
flush.
11. The lateral plate assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and
second screw can have an angulation of -2 degrees to +15 degrees
each yielding a maximum angulation between screws of 30
degrees.
12. A spinal implant assembly comprises: an implant body for
insertion between adjacent vertebral bodies, the body having an
upper load supporting surface and a lower load supporting surface
spaced by walls, the walls including a pair of opposing sidewalls
and a proximal end wall and a distal end wall, the proximal end
wall having a threaded aperture; an elongated lateral plate having
a first end portion and a second end portion and a pair of
apertures for receiving a first and a second bone screw, a first
aperture having an opening positioned in the first end portion for
receiving and holding the first bone screw and a second aperture
having a slotted opening to receive the second bone screw, wherein
the apertures for receiving first and second bone screws are
positioned spaced from an interposed threaded third aperture for
alignment with the thread aperture of the fusion implant body; and
an attachment fastener for fixing the elongated lateral plate to
the implant body at the threaded apertures.
13. The spinal implant assembly of claim 12 further comprises: an
anti-back out mechanism assembly having a locking tab with an
externally threaded screw and a locking ring, wherein the threaded
screw is locked externally threaded to the aperture of the locking
tab and the external thread engages the threaded third aperture of
the lateral plate and wherein the two bone screws when fastened to
the vertebrae are prevented from back out by the anti-back out
mechanism as the locking tab projects over at least portions of
heads of each bone screw, and the attachment fastener extends
through the washer to fix the elongated lateral plate and implant
body.
14. The spinal implant assembly of claim 13 wherein the second end
portion of the lateral plate has an open end with channelled
internal sides for receiving and holding a moveable washer on top
of the slotted opening and configured to move along a length of the
slotted opening, the moveable washer having an opening for holding
a head of the second bone screw, movement of the washer relative to
the slotted opening increases or decreases the distance between
locations of the respective screw heads.
15. The lateral plate assembly of claim 12 wherein the elongated
lateral plate has a low profile thickness.
16. The lateral plate assembly of claim 15 wherein the thickness of
the lateral plate is in the range of 3 mm to 5 mm.
17. The lateral plate assembly of claim 16 wherein the lateral
plate thickness is 4 mm.
18. The lateral plate assembly of claim 12 wherein the lateral
plate has a maximum width at the second end of 20 mm or less.
19. The lateral plate assembly of claim 18 wherein the maximum
width is 15 mm.
20. The lateral plate assembly of claim 19 wherein the anti-back
out mechanism assembly lies in the recess and extends over at least
partially the first opening and second slotted opening.
21. The lateral plate assembly of claim 20 wherein the anti-back
out mechanism assembly has an outer surface that is flush or below
relative to an outer surface of the lateral plate when tightened
into the recess.
22. The lateral plate assembly of claim 12 wherein the bone screws
each have polyaxial heads adapted to be flush or below the lateral
plate when in the respective first opening or the washer opening
when tilted on an angle in the range of -2 degrees or toward
interior center of the lateral plate or +5 degrees toward the ends
of the lateral plate yielding a total screw angulation of -4
degrees to 10 degrees between the screws when the screw heads are
flush.
23. The lateral plate assembly of claim 12 wherein the first and
second screw can have an angulation of -2 degrees to +15 degrees
each yielding a maximum angulation between screws of 30 degrees.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 16/444,979, filed Jun. 18, 2019, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/049,434, filed Feb.
22, 2016, which claims priority under 35 U.S. .sctn. 119(e) to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/119,406, filed Feb. 23, 2015,
the disclosures of each of which are herein incorporated by
reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a lateral plate fixation
device for spinal column repair and stabilization. The device, when
coupled to an implant cage or body for spinal fusion, creates a
spinal implant system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Spinal implant fusion systems are well known and widely used
to correct abnormalities and alignment issues between adjacent
vertebrae.
[0004] The goal in providing such a repair is to minimize the
trauma to the surrounding tissue and nerves when implanting the
device. The least amount of disruption to the patient's anatomy
while correcting the defect while providing stabilization between
the adjacent vertebral bodies is the goal in any surgical repair
procedure.
[0005] The present invention described hereinafter provides this
capability while giving the surgeon the ability to adjust the
attachment locations relative to the bone structure of the
vertebral bodies to achieve a more secure fixation by varying the
angulation and screw placement used to anchor the device in
place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A lateral plate assembly has an elongated lateral plate for
attachment to adjacent vertebrae having a first end portion and a
second end portion and a pair of apertures for receiving a first
and a second bone screw. The pair of apertures includes a first
aperture which is an opening positioned in the first end portion
for receiving the first bone screw and a second aperture which is a
slotted opening to receive the second bone screw. The second end
portion of the lateral plate has an open end with channelled
internal sides for receiving and holding a moveable washer on top
of the slotted opening. The washer is configured to move along a
length of the slotted aperture. The moveable washer has an opening
for holding a head of the second bone screw. Movement of the washer
relative to the slotted opening increases or decreases the distance
between locations of the respective screw heads.
[0007] The lateral plate assembly may further include a threaded
third aperture on the lateral plate interposed between the first
and second aperture, an anti-back out mechanism assembly and an
attachment fastener. The anti-back out mechanism assembly has a
locking tab with an externally threaded screw and a locking ring,
wherein the threaded screw is locked to an aperture of the locking
tab and the external thread of the screw engages the threaded third
aperture of the lateral plate. The two bone screws when fastened to
the vertebrae are prevented from back out by the anti-back out
fastener as the locking tab projects over at least portions of
heads of each bone screw. The attachment fastener fixes the
elongated plate to an implant body. The attachment fastener extends
through a central opening of the externally threaded screw to fix
the implant body to the lateral plate.
[0008] Preferably, the elongated lateral plate has a low profile
thickness. The thickness of the lateral plate can be in the range
of 3 mm to 5 mm, preferably the lateral plate thickness is 4 mm.
The lateral plate has a maximum width at the second end of 20 mm or
less, preferably the maximum width is 15 mm.
[0009] The anti-back out mechanism assembly lies in a recess in the
lateral plate and extends over at least partially the first opening
and second slotted opening. The anti-back out mechanism assembly
has an outer surface that is flush or below relative to an outer
surface of the lateral plate when tightened into the recess.
[0010] The bone screws each have polyaxial heads adapted to be
flush or below the lateral plate when in the respective first
opening or the washer covered second slotted opening when tilted on
an angle in the range of -2 degrees toward interior or center of
the lateral plate to +5 degrees toward the ends of the lateral
plate yielding a total screw angulation of -4 degrees to 10 degrees
between the screws when the screw heads are flush. The first and
second screw can have a larger upper range of angulation of -2
degrees to +15 degrees each yielding a maximum upper range of
angulation between screws of +30 degrees when the screw heads are
allowed to project slightly above the openings and the lateral
plate.
[0011] The elongated lateral plate can be combined with an implant
body to form a spinal implant assembly. The implant body is for
insertion between adjacent vertebral bodies. The body has an upper
load supporting surface and a lower load supporting surface spaced
by walls. The walls include a pair of opposing sidewalls and a
proximal end wall and a distal end wall. The proximal end wall has
a threaded aperture. The elongated lateral plate has a first end
portion and a second end portion and a pair of apertures for
receiving a first and a second bone screw, a first aperture having
an opening positioned in the first end portion for receiving and
holding the first bone screw and a second aperture having a slotted
opening to receive the second bone screw. The apertures for
receiving first and second bone screws are positioned spaced from
an interposed threaded third aperture for alignment with the thread
aperture of the implant body. An attachment fastener fixes the
elongated lateral plate to the implant body at the threaded
apertures.
[0012] The spinal implant assembly may further have the anti-back
out mechanism assembly having a locking tab with an externally
threaded washer and a locking ring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention will be described by way of example and with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lateral plate of the
present invention with the moveable washer.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lateral plate taken from
FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the spinal implant device with
the lateral plate and moveable washer and the anti-back out
mechanism and two bone screws and an implant body or cage made
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the assembly of the spinal
implant of FIG. 3.
[0018] FIG. 4B is a top view of the spinal implant taken from FIG.
4A.
[0019] FIGS. 5A-5C are cross sectional views of the lateral plate
assembly and the two bone screws. FIG. 5A showing negative
inclinations. FIG. 5B showing positive inclinations, views 5A and
5B both having flush screw heads. FIG. 5C showing maximum
inclinations with projecting screw heads.
[0020] FIGS. 6A-6E show sequential steps of implantation and
fixation methodology of the spinal implant of the present invention
utilizing a rod and a guide.
[0021] FIGS. 7A-7F are various views of the lateral plate assembly
of a first embodiment. FIG. 7A is a bottom plan view of the lateral
plate assembly of the present invention without an implant body.
FIG. 7B is an end plan view showing a close end portion of the
lateral plate assembly. FIG. 7C is a side plan view. FIG. 7D is the
opposite end view showing the moveable washer. FIG. 7E is a top
plan view. FIG. 7F is a top perspective view.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective exemplary view of the lateral plate
assembly shown affixed to a portion of a spine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] A lateral plate assembly 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3,
5A-C, 7A-F. In this particular embodiment, the lateral plate
assembly 10 includes an elongated lateral plate 20 and a moveable
washer 40, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in the exploded view
of FIG. 3. This elongated lateral plate 20 is for attachment to
adjacent vertebrae 2, 4 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The lateral plate
20 has a first end portion 21 and a second end portion 22. Each end
portion 21, 22 has an aperture for receiving a bone screw. The
first aperture 30 is a circular opening 30 that can be
hemispherical or frustoconical for receiving the head 61 of a bone
screw 60 positioned in the first end portion 21. The second end
portion 22 has the second aperture which is a slotted opening 32
for receiving the second bone screw 62 as illustrated. The slotted
opening 32 extends from the second end portion 22 which has an open
end 23 with channeled internal grooves 25 and overhanging lips 26
for receiving and holding a moveable washer 40 on top of the
slotted opening 32. The washer 40 fits into channels or grooves 25
cut into the plate 20 while overhanging lips 26 hold the washer in
place. This washer 40 is configured to move along the length L
above the slotted opening 32. The moveable washer 40 has an opening
42 for receiving a head 61 of bone screw 62. This opening 42 can be
made similar to that of the frustoconical opening 30 of the
opposite end of the lateral plate 20 and may have a similar
frustoconical or hemispherical configuration adapted to receive a
polyaxial screw that it can be angulated.
[0024] The slotted opening 32 allows the washer 40 to move along
the length L such that it can increase or decrease the distance
between the locations of the respective screw heads 61 of the
screws 60, 62. This ability to move the screw heads 61 along the
length of the elongated lateral plate 20 enables the surgeon to
ideally locate the screws 60, 62 relative to the bone structure
which he intends to drive the bone screws into and in so doing he
can adjust or vary the compressive alignment forces on the
vertebral bodies.
[0025] With reference to the center of the elongated lateral plate
20, there is illustrated a third aperture 34 in a recess 28. This
aperture 34 is threaded and will be discussed later as a means for
attaching the bone plate either to a spinal implant body and also
to secure an anti-back out mechanism which will be discussed
hereinafter.
[0026] Along the bottom surface of the lateral plate 20, as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, one will see serrations 27. These
serrations 27 help grip against the bone structure. As illustrated,
the elongated lateral plate 20 has a thickness t and, as
illustrated in FIG. 2, has a maximum width W at the open end of the
lateral plate 20. Along each side of the lateral plate 20 is a slot
or recess 29 to hold onto the plate 20 with a forceps or similar
device.
[0027] With further reference to FIG. 3, the exploded view of the
lateral plate assembly 20 with an additional component. This
additional component is a spinal implant body or cage 50. This
implant body 50 can be used with the lateral plate assembly 10 in
such a fashion that the lateral plate 20 can be secured to this
implant body 50. Above the lateral plate 20 and washer 40 is shown
the pair of bone screws 60 and 62. As discussed, the bone screws
60, 62 have heads 61 adapted to fit in the apertures or openings
30, 32. Each bone screw 60, 62 has a shank 63 that is threaded. As
shown, these bone screws 60, 62 also have cutting flutes 65 that
enable penetration into the bone as the bone screw is being
threaded into bone. The heads 61 of the bone screws 60, 62 have
fastening apertures 64 to allow a tool to be inserted to provide
torsional forces to drive the screw 60 or 62 into positon into the
bones. Above the bone screws 60, 62 as illustrated is the anti-back
out mechanism 80. The anti-back out mechanism 80 includes a locking
tab 82 having projecting ears 86 and 87. The ear 86 being
elongated. This ear 86 will fit over the washer 40 and the slotted
opening 32 as seen in the exploded view. A center aperture 88 is
provided into which a screw 84 can be inserted. This screw 84 is
held in place by the use of a snap ring 85 to complete the
mechanism 80. As shown, this screw 84 includes an opening 89 into
which a fastener 90 can be provided. The fastener 90 when tightened
secures the plate assembly to the implant body 50. This is best
illustrated in FIGS. 5A-C and also all the FIGS. 7A-7F.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, an important aspect
of the invention is that the apertures 30, 32 and opening 42 allow
the heads 61 of the screws 60, 62 to be angulated relative to a
vertical plane. This angulation .theta. can have the bone screws
60, 62 tilted inwardly relative to the plate such that a -2 degree
inclination can be achieved where the points of the screws 60, 62
are directed towards each as illustrated in FIG. 5A. In FIG. 5B,
the screws 60, 62 alternatively can be angulated on a positive
angle .theta.. This angle of inclination can achieve up to 5
degrees wherein the points are directed outwardly. When inclined at
these angles, the heads 61 of the bone screw 60, 62 as illustrated
remain flush with the elongated plate 20 such that they do not
protrude above the plate 20 at any portion of the plate. This is
extremely interesting in that the objective or goal is to keep the
bone plate 20 as flush as possible against the vertebrae into which
it is to be attached. As previously discussed, the plate 20 can
have a thickness of 5 mm to 3 mm, preferably about 4 mm. When the
bone screws 60, 62 are angulated in such a fashion that they remain
flush, this thickness is never exceeded during the assembly. With
reference to FIG. 5C it is noted that the positive inclination can
actually be extended so that each screw 60, 62 can be inclined as
much as 15 degrees in the positive direction. As shown, this
results in portions of the head 61 of the screw 60, 62 extending
past the structure of the lateral plate 20 and leaves small
portions of the head 61 protruding outwardly. While this is not
preferred, it is possible to be done giving the surgeon a wider
range of angles of which to properly place the bone screw 60, 62
when he is driving it into the adjacent vertebrae 2, 4 as
illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 7A, a bottom view of the bone screws
60, 62 is illustrated having been inserted and inclined in a
positive inclination with regard to the vertical direction. At each
end of the plate 20 are shown the serrations 27 for biting into the
vertebral body and preventing any slippage against the vertebral
bodies once the bone screws 60, 62 are properly affixed. In FIG.
7B, a closed end 21 of the lateral plate 20 is shown where the bone
screws 60, 62 are facing vertically downwardly. With reference to
FIG. 7C, a side view is shown wherein the fastener 90 is shown
projecting downwardly and the anti-back out mechanism 80 is shown
properly positioned over the tops of the screws 60, 62. FIG. 7D
shows an opposite end 22 view showing the open end 23 exposing the
moveable washer 40 so that it can be seen in its secured and locked
position under the anti-back out mechanism 80. FIG. 7E shows a top
view with the anti-back out mechanism 80 shown partially extending
over the heads 61 of the screws 60, 62; this prevents the screws
from backing out as previously discussed. FIG. 7F shows a
perspective view of this embodiment.
[0030] In a second embodiment, the lateral plate assembly is
combined with an implant body or cage 50 to form a system 100 which
is illustrated in FIG. 3 in the exploded view and FIGS. 4A, 4B and
FIGS. 6A-6E. The implant body or cage 50 is illustrated. This
implant body 50 is for insertion between the adjacent vertebral
bodies 2 and 4. The body 50 has an upper loading support surface 52
and a lower supporting surface 54 spaced by walls including a pair
of opposing side walls 51, 53 and a proximal end wall 55 and a
distal end wall 57. The proximal end wall 55 has a threaded
aperture 56. As shown in FIG. 4A, between the walls can be cavities
or spaces 59 as illustrated. These spaces 59 can allow for
autograft material or allograft material to be positioned inside
the implant body 50 to facilitate fusion of the implant body 50 to
the adjacent vertebrae 2, 4. As shown, the supporting load surfaces
52, 54 can be faceted having a plurality of projections 58 for
biting into the bone structure of the adjacent vertebrae 2, 4 when
implanted. The lateral plate 20 can be an implantable metal such as
titanium or stainless steel and the implant 50 can be a polymer
like polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or its equivalent.
[0031] To better understand how the present invention can be
employed between two adjacent vertebrae using a lateral approach is
shown in FIG. 8. The assembly 10 when used with an implant body 50
is illustrated. Initially, the surgeon will fasten the implant body
50 through the threaded aperture 56 and in doing so secures the
implant body 50 firmly against the threaded rod 200, as shown in
FIG. 6A. At this point as shown in FIG. 6B, the two bone screws 60
and 62 can be dropped into the apertures 30, 32. Thereafter, the
tab 82 can be positioned into the aperture in plate 20. At this
point the screw 84 contained in the anti-back out mechanism 80 can
be locked into position. At this point, the assembly 100 is shown
with the anti-back out mechanism 80 in position as shown in FIG.
6D. Once the bone screws 60, 62 are securely tightened, the
fastener 90 can be positioned as shown in FIG. 6E. At this point,
the entire assembly 100 is complete and the spinal implant system
100 can be properly positioned and secured to the vertebrae 2, 4 as
illustrated in FIG. 8. As noted in FIG. 8, the implant body 50 is
provided and spaced between the adjacent vertebrae 2, 4. These and
other variations can be accomplished with the present
invention.
[0032] Variations in the present invention are possible in light of
the description of it provided herein. While certain representative
embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of
illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be
made therein without departing from the scope of the subject
invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes can be
made in the particular embodiments described, which will be within
the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the
following appended claims.
* * * * *