Modulus plating system and method

Abstract

In one embodiment, a modular system for cervical fixation is disclosed. The system comprises a first plate operable to be attached to a first vertebra and a second plate operable to be attached to a second vertebra. A fixation means for connecting the first v-plate to the second v-plate is provided. The fixation means can be any one of a number of devices including a pair of beams that connect to the first and second plate, an attachment plate that attaches the first and second plates and an attachment plate that has an elastic middle portion.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A modular system for cervical fixation comprising: 
 a first plate operable to be attached to a first vertebra;    a second plate operable to be attached to a second vertebra; and    a fixation means for connecting the first v-plate to the second v-plate.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fixation means is one or more I-beams, each I-beam comprising an elongated structure operable to span from the first plate to the second plate, each I-beam anchoring a same side of the first plate and the second plate.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fixation means is an I-plate, the I-plate comprising a single piece structure operable to span from the first plate to the second plate, the I-plate anchored to the first plate at a first end of the I-plate by an anchoring means and anchored to the second plate at a second end of the I-plate.  
     
     
         4 . The system of claim  3 wherein the I-plate includes one or more openings through the I-plate to allow for visual access to the area below the I-plate once the I-plate is installed.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a retractor is attached to the first plate and the second plate.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein a ratcheting system can be attached to the retractor to allow for manual separation or contraction of the first vertebra and the second vertebra.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein one or more additional plates are attached to one or more vertebra and all of the plates are attached by a fixation means.  
     
     
         6  The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first plates and second plates are attached to the first vertebra and the second vertebra using a curved talon, the talons having a pointed end that inserts in to the bone and a second end that secures the first plate and second plate to the first and second vertebra.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fixation means comprises a variable tension plate, the variable tension plate comprising a first end operable to attach to the first plate, a second end operable to attach to the second plate and an elastic middle portion connecting the first end to the second end.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fixation means comprises a first L-plate having a first portion attaching to the first plate and a second portion formed at essentially a right angle to the first portion and contact a portion of the first vertebra and a second L-plate having a first portion attaching to the second plate and a second portion formed at essentially a right angle to the first portion and contact a portion of the second vertebra, an artificial disc material sandwiched between the second portion of the first L-plate and the second portion of the second L-plate.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is used in anterior cervical spine operations.  
     
     
         10 . The system of claim wherein the I-plate includes a plurality of indentations formed along each side, the plurality of indentations having a radius of curvature greater than the head of the fastening device used to affix the I-plate to the first plate and the second plate, the indentations allowing for adjustment of the I-plate as it attaches to the first plate and second plate.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the L-plate and the artificial disk material are manufactured from bio-absorbable materials.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first plate is attached to the first vertebra by one or more screws and the second plate is attached to the second vertebra by one or more screws.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means covers at least part of the one or more screws used to attach the first plate and the one or more screws used to attached the second plate.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for attaching a structure to a bone comprising curved talons, having a first pointed end for insertion into bone and a second end to apply pressure to in order to insert the talon into the bone.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein two talons are inserted into the structure along the same line, each of the two talons curved in relation to the other to prevent the talons from impinging on each other when inserted.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  where in the structure is a vertebra plate and the bone is a vertebra body.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the talons are inserted using an air gun.  
     
     
         18 . An artificial disc for use in replacing an injured or degenerated disc in the human body comprising: 
 a first L-plate having a first leg for attaching to a first vertebra and a second leg at essentially a right angle to the first leg,    a second L-plate having a first leg for attaching to a second vertebra and a second leg at essentially a right angle to the first leg, and    artificial disc material deposited between the second leg of the first L-plate and the second leg of the second L-plate having the between them.    
     
     
         19 . The artificial disc of  claim 18  wherein the artificial disc material is initially connected to either the first L-plate or the second L-plate.  
     
     
         20 . The artificial disk of  claim 18  wherein the first L-plate is mounted over a first plate attached to a first vertebra and the second L-plate is mounted to a second plate attached to a second vertebra.