Methods and apparatus for improving shear loading capacity of a spinal segment
Inventors
Alamin, Todd • Fielding, Louis • Kothari, Manish
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8668719-B2
Publication Date
2014-03-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for improving shear loading capacity of a spinal segment having a superior vertebra, an inferior vertebra or sacrum, and a facet joint, includes providing a constraint device having an upper portion, a lower portion and a compliance member coupled therebetween. The constraint device is coupled with the spinal segment such that the upper portion of the constraint device is coupled with the superior vertebra and the lower portion of the constraint device is coupled with the inferior vertebra or a sacrum. The constraint device provides a force resistant to flexion of the spinal segment. Also, length or tension in the constraint device is adjusted so as to increase engagement between an upper portion of the facet joint and a lower portion of the facet joint, thereby increasing capacity of the spinal segment to resist shear loading.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method for improving shear loading capacity of a spinal segment having a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, including a facet joint therebetween, and a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process or a sacrum. A constraint device is provided with an upper portion and a lower portion coupled by a compliance member, where the upper portion comprises a flexible and non-distensible tether and the lower portion comprises a flexible and non-distensible tether.
The constraint device is coupled to the spinal segment so that the flexible and non-distensible tether of the upper portion is disposed around a superior surface of the superior spinous process, and the flexible and non-distensible tether of the lower portion is disposed around an inferior surface of the inferior spinous process or coupled to the sacrum. The constraint device provides a force resistant to flexion of the spinal segment without substantially restricting extension.
The method adjusts length or tension in the constraint device to increase engagement between an upper portion of the facet joint and a lower portion of the facet joint. This increased facet joint engagement increases capacity of the spinal segment to resist shear loading and reduces or eliminates further progression of degenerative spondylolisthesis in the spinal segment without fusion thereof.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies two independent claims. Each independent claim centers on an adjustable constraint device with flexible, non-distensible tethers and a compliance member that resists flexion without substantially restricting extension, and uses adjustable length or tension to increase facet joint engagement to improve shear-loading resistance and reduce or eliminate progression of degenerative spondylolisthesis without fusion.
Adjustable constraint device with flexible, non-distensible upper and lower tethers and compliance member
A constraint device having an upper portion comprising a flexible and non-distensible tether and a lower portion comprising a flexible and non-distensible tether, with a compliance member coupled therebetween.
Coupling tethers around spinous processes or sacrum to resist flexion without restricting extension
Coupling the constraint device with the spinal segment such that the upper tether is disposed around a superior surface of the superior spinous process and the lower tether is disposed around an inferior surface of the inferior spinous process or coupled to the sacrum, wherein the constraint device provides a force resistant to flexion without substantially restricting extension.
Adjustable length or tension to increase facet joint engagement for shear-loading capacity
Adjusting length or tension in the constraint device to increase engagement between an upper portion of the facet joint and a lower portion of the facet joint, thereby increasing capacity of the spinal segment to resist shear loading.
Reducing or eliminating progression of degenerative spondylolisthesis without fusion
Reducing or eliminating further progression of degenerative spondylolisthesis in the spinal segment without fusion thereof.
Across both independent claims, the core inventive coverage requires a constraint device with flexible, non-distensible upper and lower tethers and an adjustable compliance member that resists flexion without substantially restricting extension, and uses adjustable length or tension to increase facet joint engagement to improve shear-loading resistance while reducing or eliminating further progression of degenerative spondylolisthesis without fusion.
Stated Advantages
Increases capacity of the spinal segment to resist shear loading.
Reduces or eliminates further progression of degenerative spondylolisthesis in the spinal segment without fusion.
Documented Applications
Improving shear loading capacity of a spinal segment affected by degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Reducing or eliminating further progression of degenerative spondylolisthesis without fusion.
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