Intervertebral prosthetic device for spinal stabilization and method of implanting same

Abstract

A prosthetic device and method, according to which a member of a relatively flexible, soft material is connected with a member of a relatively stiff material and the connected members are implanted in a spinal column using a non-rigid and a rigid connection.

1 . A prosthetic device for insertion in a spinal column, the device comprising: 
 a first member of a relatively flexible material;    a second member of a relatively stiff material connected to the first member;    means for providing a non-rigid connection of one of the members to a vertebrae of the column; and    means for providing a rigid connection of one of the members to a vertebrae of the column.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the second member is supported by the first member.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the first member is a spacer and the second member is an insert that extends in a channel formed in the spacer.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the means for providing the non-rigid connection comprises two notches formed in the spacer for engaging the respective spinous processes of two vertebrae.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the spinous process of one vertebrae of the column is removed and wherein the notches engage the respective spinous processes of the vertebrae adjacent the one vertebrae.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the means for providing the rigid connection comprises two screws extending through an opening in the spacer and into the pedicles of a vertebrae.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the second member has an opening for receiving a tab on the first member to connect the members.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising a third member having a tab that also extends in the opening of the second member.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the means for providing the non-rigid connection comprises a notch formed in the first member and in the third member for engaging the respective spinous processes of two vertebrae.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the spinous process of one vertebrae of the column is removed and wherein the notches engage the respective spinous processes of the vertebrae adjacent the one vertebrae.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the means for providing the rigid connection comprises two screws extending openings in the second member and into the pedicles of the one vertebrae.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising means on one of the members for receiving a cable to tether the latter member to a vertebrae of the column.  
     
     
         13 . A method of implanting a prosthetic device in a spinal column to stabilize the spine, the method comprising: 
 connecting a first member of a relatively flexible material to a second member of a relatively stiff material;    establishing a non-rigid connection between one of the members and a vertebrae; and    establishing a rigid connection between one of the members and a vertebrae of the spinal column.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the first-mentioned step of connecting comprises supporting the second member by the first member.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the first-mentioned step of connecting further comprises supporting the second member in a channel in the first member.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of establishing the non-rigid connection comprises forming two notches in the one member for engaging the respective spinous processes of two vertebrae.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the spinous process of one vertebrae of the column is removed and wherein the notches engage the respective spinous processes of the vertebrae adjacent the one vertebrae.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of establishing the rigid connection comprises inserting at least one screw through a corresponding opening in one of the members and into the corresponding pedicle of the one vertebrae.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of establishing the rigid connection comprises inserting at least one screw through a corresponding opening in one of the members and into the corresponding pedicle of the vertebrae.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the first-mentioned step of connecting comprises inserting a tab on one of the members into an opening in the other member.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising inserting a tab on a third member into the opening.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the step of establishing the non-rigid connection comprises forming a notch in the one member and in the third member for engaging the respective spinous processes of the vertebrae.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the spinous process of one vertebrae of the column is removed and wherein the notches engage the respective spinous processes of the vertebrae adjacent the one vertebrae.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the step of establishing the rigid connection comprises two screws extending through openings in the one member and into the respective pedicles of the one vertebrae.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of establishing the rigid connection comprises at least one screw extending through an opening in the one member and into a pedicle of the vertebrae.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising tethering one of the members to a vertebrae of the column.