Vertebral stabilization assembly and method

Abstract

A vertebral stabilization assembly for stabilizing vertebrae is provided. The vertebral stabilization assembly includes a first and a second pedicle screw, a first and second connecting screw, and a connecting member. The first and second pedicle screws each have a shaft provided with a threaded portion operable for threading engagement of the first and second pedicle screws with a first and second vertebra, respectively, each shaft also has an engaging portion. The first and second connecting screws each have a first end adapted to be received by the engaging portions of the first and second pedicle screws, respectively. The connecting member has a first end connected to the first connecting screw and a second end connected to the second connecting screw for stabilization of the first and second vertebra. A guide member for placement of the connecting screw and method for anteriorly stabilizing vertebrae is also provided.

1 . A pedicle screw for anchoring in a vertebra, the pedicle screw comprising: 
 a shaft provided with at least a first and a second non-continuous threaded portions extending circumferentially about a portion of the shaft such that at least a first gap is disposed between the first and second non-continuous threaded portions, the at least first gap defining a portion of the shaft between the first non-continuous threaded portions and the second non-continuous threaded portions; and    a head adjacent one end of the shaft provided with an engaging portion operable to receive engaging rotation by a tool for placement of the pedicle screw such that at least a portion of the pedicle screw anchors in a pedicle portion of the vertebra.    
   
   
       2 . The pedicle screw of  claim 1 , wherein the at least first gap has an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the first non-continuous threaded portions, and less than the outer diameter of the second non-continuous threaded portions.  
   
   
       3 . The pedicle screw of  claim 2 , wherein the at least first gap has an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the shaft adjacent the first gap.  
   
   
       4 . The pedicle screw of  claim 1 , wherein the first non-continuous threaded portion and the second non-continuous threaded portion are the same size.  
   
   
       5 . The pedicle screw of  claim 1 , wherein the first non-continuous threaded portion has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the second non-continuous threaded portion.  
   
   
       6 . The pedicle screw of  claim 1 , wherein the vertebra is a lumbar vertebra.  
   
   
       7 . The pedicle screw of  claim 1 , wherein the vertebra is a cervical vertebra.  
   
   
       8 . The pedicle screw of  claim 1 , wherein the vertebra is a thoracic vertebra.  
   
   
       9 . A pedicle screw for anchoring in a vertebra, the pedicle screw comprising: 
 a shaft provided with at least a first non-continuous threaded portion extending at least partially circumferentially about a first portion of the shaft, a second non-continuous threaded portion extending at least partially circumferentially about a second portion of the shaft such that at least a first gap is disposed between the first and second non-continuous threaded portions, the at least first gap defining a portion of the shaft between the first non-continuous threaded portions and the second non-continuous threaded portions; and    a head adjacent one end of the shaft operable to be rotated with a tool for placement of the pedicle screw such that at least a portion of the pedicle screw is anchored in a pedicle portion of the vertebra.    
   
   
       10 . The pedicle screw of  claim 9 , wherein the at least first gap has an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the first non-continuous threaded portions, and less than the outer diameter of the second non-continuous threaded portions.  
   
   
       11 . The pedicle screw of  claim 10 , wherein the at least first gap has an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the shaft adjacent the first gap.  
   
   
       12 . The pedicle screw of  claim 9 , wherein the first non-continuous threaded portion and the second non-continuous threaded portion are the same size.  
   
   
       13 . The pedicle screw of  claim 9 , wherein the first non-continuous threaded portion has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the second non-continuous threaded portion.  
   
   
       14 . The pedicle screw of  claim 9 , wherein the vertebra is a lumbar vertebra.  
   
   
       15 . The pedicle screw of  claim 9 , wherein the vertebra is a cervical vertebra.  
   
   
       16 . The pedicle screw of  claim 9 , wherein the vertebra is a thoracic vertebra.  
   
   
       17 . A method for adjusting a pedicle screw in a vertebra to alleviate nerve irritation, the method comprising: 
 providing a pedicle screw positioned at least partially in a vertebra, the pedicle screw including: 
 a shaft provided with at least a first and a second non-continuous threaded portions extending circumferentially about a portion of the shaft such that at least a first gap is disposed between the first and second non-continuous threaded portions, the at least first gap defining a portion of the shaft between the first non-continuous threaded portions and the second non-continuous threaded portions, and  
 a head adjacent one end of the shaft operable to be rotated with a tool for placement of the pedicle screw such that at least a portion of the pedicle screw anchors in a pedicle portion of the vertebra;  
   determining the presence of nerve irritation near the pedicle screw;    adjusting the pedicle screw by at least partially rotating the pedicle screw in the vertebra; and    confirming that the nerve irritation has subsided.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 installing a pedicle screw positioned at least partially in a vertebra.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the vertebra is a lumbar vertebra.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the vertebra is a cervical vertebra.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the vertebra is a thoracic vertebra.