Supplementary spinal fixation/stabilization apparatus with inter-vertebral connection

Abstract

A spinal implant provides supplemental fixation and/or stabilization of the spine via connection to one or more existing or new spinal fixation and/or stabilization spinal constructs. The supplementary spinal fixation/stabilization implant has a first attachment device configured to couple to an existing or new spinal fixation/stabilization construct and a second attachment device configured to couple to the existing or new spinal fixation/stabilization construct at a second location. The first and second attachment devices are joined to each other via a connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spinal implant comprising:
 a first attachment portion configured for attachment to a first spinal implant construct affixed to a lateral side of a spine, wherein the first attachment portion comprises a top surface and a bottom surface generally opposite the top surface, wherein one of the top and bottom surfaces defines a channel configured to receive a spinal rod of the first spinal implant;   a second attachment portion configured for attachment to a second spinal implant construct affixed to the lateral side of the spine, the second attachment portion comprising a body portion and a rod extending from the body portion in a direction away from the first attachment portion such that the rod is substantially coaxial with the channel; and   a connection portion coupled to and extending between the first and second attachment portions such that the connection portion is substantially parallel with the rod.   
     
     
         2 . The spinal implant of  claim 1 , wherein the connection portion is rotationally fixed relative to the first and second attachment portions. 
     
     
         3 . The spinal implant of  claim 1 , wherein the connection portion has a generally rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         4 . The spinal implant of  claim 1 , wherein the second attachment portion forms a general L-shape collectively defined by the body portion and the rod. 
     
     
         5 . The spinal implant of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment portion further includes a set screw for securing the first attachment portion to the spinal rod. 
     
     
         6 . The spinal implant of  claim 5 , wherein the first attachment portion further includes an additional set screw for securing the first attachment portion to the spinal rod. 
     
     
         7 . The spinal implant of  claim 1 , wherein the rod is fixed in position relative to the body portion. 
     
     
         8 . A spinal implant comprising:
 a first attachment portion configured for attachment to a first spinal implant construct affixed to a lateral side of a spine, wherein the first attachment portion is generally rectangular-shaped and comprises a top surface and a bottom surface generally opposite the top surface, wherein one of the top and bottom surfaces defines a channel configured to receive a spinal rod of the first spinal implant;   a second attachment portion configured for attachment to a second spinal implant construct affixed to the lateral side of the spine, wherein the second attachment portion is generally L-shaped and comprises a body portion and a rod extending from the body portion in a direction away from the first attachment portion such that the rod is substantially coaxial with the channel; and   a connection portion coupled to and extending between the first and second attachment portions.   
     
     
         9 . The spinal implant of  claim 8 , wherein the connection portion is rotationally fixed relative to the first and second attachment portions. 
     
     
         10 . The spinal implant of  claim 8 , wherein the connection portion has a generally rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         11 . The spinal implant of  claim 8 , wherein the rod is substantially parallel to the connection portion. 
     
     
         12 . The spinal implant of  claim 8 , wherein the first attachment portion further includes a set screw for securing the first attachment portion to the spinal rod. 
     
     
         13 . The spinal implant of  claim 12 , wherein the first attachment portion further includes an additional set screw for securing the first attachment portion to the spinal rod. 
     
     
         14 . The spinal implant of  claim 8 , wherein the rod is fixed in position relative to the body portion. 
     
     
         15 . A spinal implant comprising:
 a first attachment portion configured for attachment to a first spinal implant affixed to a lateral side of a spine and comprising a channel configured to receive a spinal rod of the first spinal implant;   a second attachment portion configured for attachment to a second spinal implant affixed to the lateral side of the spine, the second attachment portion comprising a body portion and a rod extending from the body portion in a direction away from the first attachment portion; and   a connection portion coupled to and extending between the first and second attachment portions such that the connection portion is substantially parallel with the rod.   
     
     
         16 . The spinal implant of  claim 15 , wherein the connection portion is rotationally fixed relative to the first and second attachment portions. 
     
     
         17 . The spinal implant of  claim 15 , wherein the connection portion has a generally rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         18 . The spinal implant of  claim 15 , wherein the second attachment portion forms a general L-shape collectively defined by the body portion and the rod. 
     
     
         19 . The spinal implant of  claim 15 , wherein the rod is substantially coaxial with the channel. 
     
     
         20 . The spinal implant of  claim 15 , wherein the rod is fixed in position relative to the body portion.