Segmental tensioning of spinal tethers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025331897-A1
Application number	US-202419006945-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 31, 2024
Priority date	Jan 30, 2018
Publication date	Oct 30, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

Implantable devices for dynamic interconnection between bones, and especially between vertebrae. The devices provide for various types of manipulation of a flexible connection such as a tether, such as by providing an aperture through which the flexible connection is passed and guided, or a post to which a loop of the flexible connection can be attached, or a groove in which a loop of the flexible connection can be placed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A member for making a flexible connection between bones, comprising:
a bone connecting member adapted and configured for connection with a vertebra; a head attached to said bone connecting member, said head including first and second passageways extending across said head; each said passageway being adapted and configured to accept therein a corresponding first or second flexible member, each said passageway having an entrance on one side of said head and an exit on the opposing side of said head, each said passageway being enclosed from the top surface of said head, said head including a smoothly contoured convex lower surface that partially separates said first passageway from said second passageway.

2 . The member of claim 1 wherein the first and second passageways are substantially parallel.

3 . The member of claim 1 wherein the first and second passageways combine in a cross-sectional V-shape with the opened end of the V-shape being directed toward said bone connecting member.

4 . The member of claim 1 wherein said head includes smoothly contouring walls defining said first and second passageways, the walls being adapted and configured to permit sliding movement of a flexible member against the wall without abrasively damaging the flexible member.

5 . The member of claim 1 wherein said first and second passageways each extending through the interior of said head, each having an entrance for the flexible material and an exit for the flexible material, each entrance and exit being on opposite sides of said head, each of the passageways being smooth and uninterrupted between the corresponding entrance and exit.

6 . The member of claim 1 wherein each said passageway has a smooth, elongated, cross sectional shape.

7 . The member of claim 6 wherein each first and second cross sectional shape is elongated along a respective first or second axis, and the angle included from the first axis to the second axis is more than about ninety degrees and less than one hundred and twenty degrees.

8 . The member of claim 1 wherein the top of head is closed between passageways, such that a portion of flexible material passing through a passageway cannot be lifted vertically out of the passageway.

9 . The member of claim 1 wherein said bone connection member includes a threaded shaft, and said head has a maximum width greater than the outer diameter of the threads.

10 . The member of claim 9 wherein said head has a width orthogonal to the maximum width that is greater than the outer diameter of the threads but less than the maximum width.

11 . The member of claim 9 wherein said head has a minimum width orthogonal to the maximum width that is less than the maximum width.

12 . The member of claim 9 wherein said shaft and said head are unitary.

13 . The member of claim 1 wherein said head has an outer shape that is oblong.

14 . The member of claim 1 wherein the outer surfaces of said head are rounded and smooth.

15 . The member of claim 1 wherein said head has a non-circular outer peripheral shape adapted and configured to receive a driving torque from a driving tool having a complementary inner peripheral shape.

16 . The member of claim 1 wherein said head has a distal side adapted and configured for resting on the bone when the anchor is fully inserted into the bone.

17 . The member of claim 1 wherein said bone connection member is a plate.

18 . A member for making a flexible connection between bones, comprising:
a bone connecting member adapted and configured for connection with a vertebra; a head attached to said bone connecting member, said head including first and second spaced apart securement posts each adapted and configured for connection to a loop of a flexible member, each said post including a groove sized to accept therein a flexible member loop, each groove having an angular extent adapted and configured for placement and angular adjustment of the loop.

19 . The member of claim 18 wherein the top surface of said head includes a slot having a width sized to permit passage therethrough of the flexible member.

20 . The member of claim 19 wherein each groove interfaces with the other groove in a raised portion of said head that is beneath the slot.

21 . The member of claim 19 wherein said bone connecting member and said head define a central axis, said securement posts are separated by a smooth projection, and the slot and the projection are aligned along the central axis.

22 . The member of claim 18 wherein each said passageway has a smooth elongated cross sectional shape.

23 . The member of claim 22 wherein each first and second cross sectional shape is elongated along a respective first or second axis, and first and second axes have a V shape with the open side of the V being oriented toward said bone connecting member.

24 . The member of claim 18 wherein said head including a smoothly contoured convex lower surface that extends between said first and second posts.

25 . The member of claim 18 wherein each said post includes smoothly contouring walls defining the respective groove, the walls being adapted and configured to permit sliding movement of a flexible member against the wall without abrasively damaging the flexible member.

26 . The member of claim 18 wherein each said securement post includes an inwardly projecting portion that overhangs toward the midsection of said head.

27 . The member of claim 18 wherein said head has a peripheral shape that is oblong or elliptical.

28 . The member of claim 18 wherein each said post has a maximum width, said head has a minimum width, and the maximum width is less than the minimum width.

29 . The member of claim 18 wherein said bone connection member is a threaded anchor.

30 . The member of claim 18 wherein said bone connection member is a plate.

31 . A member for making a flexible connection between bones, comprising:
a bone connecting member adapted and configured for connection with a vertebra; a head attached to said bone connecting member, said head including first and second spaced apart peripheral grooves each adapted and configured for connection to a separate loop of flexible member, said head having a top surface furthest away from the vertebrae, wherein one of the peripheral grooves is between the other peripheral groove and the vertebra.

32 . The member of claim 31 wherein the flexible member has a diameter, and the width of the groove is greater than the diameter, and the depth of the groove is greater than the diameter.

33 . The member of claim 31 wherein the flexible member has a width and a thickness, and the width of the groove is greater than the width of the flexible member, and the depth of the groove is greater than the thickness of the flexible member.

34 . The member of claim 31 wherein said peripheral grooves are substantially parallel to each other.

35 . The member of claim 31 wherein said head has a peripheral shape that is oblong.

36 . The member of claim 31 wherein said bone connection member includes a threaded shaft, and wherein said shaft and said head are unitary.

37 . The member of

Assignees

• Orthopediatrics Corp

Inventors

• Hoernschemeyer Daniel Gerard
• Prygoski Matthew
• Tozakoglou Evangelos

Classifications

• A61B17/7059

  Cortical plates (A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence) · CPC title

• A61B17/7031

  made wholly or partly of flexible material · CPC title

• A61B17/7022

  Tethers, i.e. longitudinal elements capable of transmitting tension only, e.g. straps, sutures or cables (A61B17/702 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B17/7053 Primary

  with parts attached to bones or to each other by flexible wires, straps, sutures or cables · CPC title

• A61B17/8605 Primary

  Heads, i.e. proximal ends projecting from bone · CPC title