Intervertebral stabilization system

Abstract

An intervertebral stabilization system for at least three vertebrae comprising pedicle screws attachable to the vertebrae; at least one rod for the connection of at least two pedicle screws to form a rigid stiffening system; and at least one band which is capable of being pre-stressed in tension and which is surrounded in the implanted state of the stabilization system by at least one compressible pressure member arranged between two adjacent pedicle screws for the connection of the pedicle screws to form an elastic support system, wherein a common pedicle screw is associated both with the stiffening system and with the support system and the band is can be connected or is connected to the rod by means of a band attachment.

1 . An intervertebral stabilization system comprising:
 a bone screw including a head portion and a threaded shank extending from the head portion, the head portion including a channel extending therethrough;   an elongate rod including an end portion positionable in the channel of the head portion of the bone screw;   a flexible member including an end portion positionable in the channel of the head portion of the bone screw alongside the end portion of the elongate rod; and   a clamping member configured to engage the head portion of the bone screw to secure both the end portion of the elongate rod and the end portion of the flexible member in the channel of the bone screw.   
   
   
       2 . The intervertebral stabilization system of  claim 1 , wherein the end portion of the elongate rod overlaps with an end portion of the flexible member. 
   
   
       3 . The intervertebral stabilization system of  claim 2 , wherein an outer surface of the end portion of the flexible member presses against an outer surface of the end portion of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       4 . The intervertebral stabilization system of  claim 1 , wherein the end portion of the elongate rod has a central longitudinal axis and the end portion of the flexible member has a central longitudinal axis offset from the central longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       5 . The intervertebral stabilization system of  claim 1 , wherein the end portion of the flexible member is positioned above the end portion of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       6 . The intervertebral stabilization system of  claim 1 , wherein the end portion of the elongate rod is positioned above the end portion of the flexible member. 
   
   
       7 . The intervertebral stabilization system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate rod extends from a first side of the head portion of the bone screw and the flexible member extends from a second side of the head portion of the bone screw opposite the first side. 
   
   
       8 . A method of assembling an intervertebral stabilization system comprising:
 securing a bone screw to a vertebra of a spinal column, the bone screw including a head portion including a channel extending therethrough;   positioning an end portion of an elongate rod in the channel of the head portion of the bone screw;   positioning an end portion of a flexible member in the channel of the head portion of the bone screw alongside the end portion of the elongate rod;   securing both the end portion of the elongate rod and the end portion of the flexible member in the channel of the head portion of the bone screw with a clamping member.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the end portion of the elongate rod overlaps with an end portion of the flexible member. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein an outer surface of the end portion of the flexible member presses against an outer surface of the end portion of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the end portion of the elongate rod has a central longitudinal axis and the end portion of the flexible member has a central longitudinal axis offset from the central longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the end portion of the flexible member is positioned above the end portion of the elongate rod. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the end portion of the elongate rod is positioned above the end portion of the flexible member. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the elongate rod extends from a first side of the head portion of the bone screw and the flexible member extends from a second side of the head portion of the bone screw opposite the first side.