Vertebral fixation
Encyclopedia
Vertebral fixation is a neurosurgical
procedure in which two or more vertebrae are anchored to each other through a synthetic "vertebral fixation device", with the aim of reducing vertebral mobility and thus avoiding possible damage to the spinal cord
and/or spinal roots
.
).
made of titanium
; examples include rods, plates, screws, and various combinations thereof. A much less common alternative is the use of a resorbable fixation device, composed of a bio-resorbable material; for example, this could be a polymer capable of being degraded into acidic products, and thus in need of including a buffering agent to avoid acid damage (which may damage the bone adjacent to the device).
The Medical community currently uses several different techniques for stabilizing the posterior region of the spine. The most radical of these techniques is spinal fusion
. In recent years/decades spinal surgeon
s have begun to rely more heavily on mechanical implants, which provide increased stability without so severely limiting the recipient’s range of motion. A number of devices have been developed that allow the recipients near natural range of motion while still providing some support. However, in many cases the support offered by such devices is insufficient, leaving the physician
with few other choices than spinal fusion. The Spinal Fixation Device was developed in response to this need for a device that offered additional support to limit the compression on the affected vertebrae while still offering a wide range of motion.
A Spinal Fixation Device is a spinal stabilization device that meets the need prescribed above, namely that it stabilizes an area of the posterior spine while allowing for a significant range of motion and limiting the compression of the affected vertebrae. The device consists of two or more arm assemblies (lateral) connected by one or more telescopic assemblies (vertical). Each arm assembly is composed of a central portion, which connects to the telescopic assembly or assemblies. Left and right arms attach to the corresponding side of the central portion of the arm assembly. Each arm section is directly connected to its individual pedicle by means of pedicle fasteners.
The illustration depicts a spinal fixation device. The number 110 refers to pedicle fasteners. 156 refers to the left and right arm attachments of the first and second arm assemblies respectively. 158 refers to the central portions of the arm assemblies themselves. The two vertical cylinders
connecting the central portions of the two arm assemblies are the telescopic connectors and "A" depicts how they can be adjusted to limit the compression of the protected vertebrae.
More information about this specific spinal fixation device can be found in The United States Patent Service’s
November 13, 2007 publication of new patents. This patent can currently (September 23, 2008) be found on The U.S. Patent Website.
Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spine, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system.-In the United States:In...
procedure in which two or more vertebrae are anchored to each other through a synthetic "vertebral fixation device", with the aim of reducing vertebral mobility and thus avoiding possible damage to the spinal cord
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
and/or spinal roots
Nerve root
A nerve root is the initial segment of a nerve leaving the central nervous system. Types include:* A cranial nerve root, the beginning of one of the twelve pairs leaving the central nervous system from the brain stem or the highest levels of the spinal cord;...
.
Indications
A vertebral fixation procedure may be indicated in cases of vertebral fracture, vertebral deformity, or degenerative vertebral disorders (such as spondylolisthesisSpondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis describes the anterior or posterior displacement of a vertebra or the vertebral column in relation to the vertebrae below. It was first described in 1782 by Belgian obstetrician, Dr. Herbinaux. He reported a bony prominence anterior to the sacrum that obstructed the vagina of a...
).
Vertebral fixation devices
The device used to achieve vertebral fixation is usually a permanent rigid or semi-rigid prosthesisProsthesis
In medicine, a prosthesis, prosthetic, or prosthetic limb is an artificial device extension that replaces a missing body part. It is part of the field of biomechatronics, the science of using mechanical devices with human muscle, skeleton, and nervous systems to assist or enhance motor control...
made of titanium
Titanium
Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It has a low density and is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant transition metal with a silver color....
; examples include rods, plates, screws, and various combinations thereof. A much less common alternative is the use of a resorbable fixation device, composed of a bio-resorbable material; for example, this could be a polymer capable of being degraded into acidic products, and thus in need of including a buffering agent to avoid acid damage (which may damage the bone adjacent to the device).
The Medical community currently uses several different techniques for stabilizing the posterior region of the spine. The most radical of these techniques is spinal fusion
Spinal fusion
Spinal fusion, also known as spondylodesis or spondylosyndesis, is a surgical technique used to join two or more vertebrae. Supplementary bone tissue, either from the patient or a donor , is used in conjunction with the body's natural bone growth processes to fuse the vertebrae.Fusing of the...
. In recent years/decades spinal surgeon
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
s have begun to rely more heavily on mechanical implants, which provide increased stability without so severely limiting the recipient’s range of motion. A number of devices have been developed that allow the recipients near natural range of motion while still providing some support. However, in many cases the support offered by such devices is insufficient, leaving the physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
with few other choices than spinal fusion. The Spinal Fixation Device was developed in response to this need for a device that offered additional support to limit the compression on the affected vertebrae while still offering a wide range of motion.
A Spinal Fixation Device is a spinal stabilization device that meets the need prescribed above, namely that it stabilizes an area of the posterior spine while allowing for a significant range of motion and limiting the compression of the affected vertebrae. The device consists of two or more arm assemblies (lateral) connected by one or more telescopic assemblies (vertical). Each arm assembly is composed of a central portion, which connects to the telescopic assembly or assemblies. Left and right arms attach to the corresponding side of the central portion of the arm assembly. Each arm section is directly connected to its individual pedicle by means of pedicle fasteners.
The illustration depicts a spinal fixation device. The number 110 refers to pedicle fasteners. 156 refers to the left and right arm attachments of the first and second arm assemblies respectively. 158 refers to the central portions of the arm assemblies themselves. The two vertical cylinders
Cylinder (geometry)
A cylinder is one of the most basic curvilinear geometric shapes, the surface formed by the points at a fixed distance from a given line segment, the axis of the cylinder. The solid enclosed by this surface and by two planes perpendicular to the axis is also called a cylinder...
connecting the central portions of the two arm assemblies are the telescopic connectors and "A" depicts how they can be adjusted to limit the compression of the protected vertebrae.
More information about this specific spinal fixation device can be found in The United States Patent Service’s
The United States Patent Association
The United States Patent Association was a non-governmental organization active in the United States in the late 19th century. Their purpose was to promote the benefits of patents for society. Association membership comprised US patent examiners, patent agents and attorneys and inventors...
November 13, 2007 publication of new patents. This patent can currently (September 23, 2008) be found on The U.S. Patent Website.