System, Devices and method for augmenting existing fusion constructs

Abstract

One technique of the present application includes: evaluating a patient having a previously implanted spinal construct and corresponding spinal fusion from an earlier procedure and determining a spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion is degenerating after completion of the earlier procedure. After this determination, the previously implanted spinal construct is augmented by attaching a flexible polymer elongated member to the spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion with a bone fastener and by coupling the flexible polymer elongated member to one or more elements of the previously implanted spinal construct. In one form, the elongated member is at least partially comprised of polyetheretherketone.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . A method, comprising:
 evaluating a patient having a previously implanted spinal construct and corresponding spinal fusion from an earlier procedure;   determining a spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion is degenerating after completion of the earlier procedure; and   after said determining, coupling a crosslink to members of the previously implanted spinal construct and attaching a first flexible polymer elongated member to the crosslink and to the spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion with a first bone screw.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , after said determining, attaching a second flexible polymer elongated member to the crosslink and to the spinal segment adjacent the spinal fusion with a second bone screw. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , which includes engaging a first pedicle with the first bone screw and engaging a second pedicle with the second bone screw. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , which includes attaching the elongated member to the spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion with a second bone screw. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , which includes engaging a first pedicle with the first bone screw and engaging a second pedicle with the second bone screw. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , which includes engaging a pedicle with the first bone screw. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said coupling includes bridging the crosslink across two rods of the previously implanted spinal construct. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said attaching includes connecting the elongated member to the crosslink between the two rods. 
   
   
       15 . A method, comprising:
 evaluating a patient having a previously implanted spinal construct and corresponding spinal fusion from an earlier procedure;   determining a spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion is degenerating after completion of the earlier procedure; and   after said determining, augmenting the previously implanted spinal construct by attaching a first flexible polymer elongated member to the spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion with a first bone fastener and by coupling the first flexible polymer elongated member to one or more elements of the previously implanted spinal construct.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , which includes replacing at least one previously implanted member of the spinal construct with the elongated member. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more elements are one or more bone screws of the previously implanted spinal construct and said coupling includes attaching the elongated member to the one or more bone screws. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the said coupling includes:
 connecting a crosslink across two rods of the previously implanted spinal construct; and   connecting the elongated member to the crosslink between the two rods.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , which includes coupling a second flexible polymer elongated member to the previously implanted spinal construct and to the spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion with a second bone fastener. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , which includes connecting the elongated member to the spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion with a second bone fastener. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the elongated member is at least partially comprised of PEEK. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first bone fastener comprises a bone screw and wherein the attaching comprises threading the bone screw into a pedicle region of the spinal segment and engaging the first flexible polymer elongated member to the bone screw. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second bone fasteners each comprise a bone screw; and
 further comprising threading each of the bone screws into a respective pedicle region of the spinal segment, and engaging the first flexible polymer elongated member to a first of the bone screws and engaging the second flexible polymer elongated member to a second of the bone screws.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said coupling includes bridging two rods of the previously implanted spinal construct and connecting the first flexible polymer elongated member to the bridged rods. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first flexible polymer elongated member is formed of a material different from the material of the one or more elements of the previously implanted spinal construct. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the material of the first flexible polymer elongated member is relatively more elastic than the material of the one or more elements of the previously implanted spinal construct.