Anterior cervical instrumentation systems, methods and devices

Abstract

Anterior cervical instrumentation systems, methods, and devices are disclosed. Systems may facilitate immobilizing or providing support for the cervical portion of the vertebral column of a patient. A device may comprise a plate having two channels located in a proximal to distal direction, and may further comprise at least one aperture. The device may further comprise attachment elements such as attachment cross-links and spacer cross-links, and fasteners. The plate and the attachment elements may be secured to the vertebrae by passing fasteners through apertures and channels. The length of the plate, position and number of the attachment cross-links, position and number of spacer cross-links and degree of movement may be intraoperatively selected by the surgeon to provide an optimal application and procedural outcome. Uniform components of the devices and systems allow for a more streamlined and simplified method of treating spinal conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vertebral stabilization device, comprising:
 a vertebral stabilizing plate having an elongate channel;   a first bridge, having a distal end and a proximal end;   a first attachment cross-link attached to the proximal end of the bridge, the attachment cross-link having an aperture adapted to be fastened to the elongate channel of the vertebral stabilizing plate; and   a first extension cross-link, attached to the distal end of the bridge, the extension cross-link having an aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , the first attachment cross-link further comprising an attachment groove disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the first attachment cross-link. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the aperture of the first attachment cross-link is frusto-conically shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the aperture of the first attachment cross-link comprises female helical threads. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the aperture of the first attachment cross-link comprises a c-clip spacer. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment cross-link is adapted to be slidably fastened to the elongate channel of the vertebral stabilizing plate. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment cross-link is approximately 14-18 mm wide. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment cross-link is approximately 1-3 mm thick. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , the vertebral stabilization device further comprising:
 a second bridge having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the first extension cross-link is attached to the proximal end of the second bridge; and   a second extension cross-link attached to the distal end of the second bridge, the second extension cross-link having an aperture.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , the vertebral stabilization device further comprising:
 a second bridge having a distal and a proximal end;   a second attachment cross-link attached to the proximal end of the second bridge, having an aperture adapted to be fastened to the first extension cross-link; and   a second extension cross-link attached to the distal end of the second bridge, having an aperture.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment cross-link further comprises an alignment guide. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the alignment guide comprises a notch, arrow, indentation, bump or dot in an outer surface of the first attachment cross-link. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first extension cross-link of the extension adapter is approximately the same thickness as the vertebral stabilizing plate. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein an outer surface of the first attachment cross-link, when placed on the vertebral stabilizing plate, is approximately flush with an outer surface of the vertebral stabilizing plate. 
     
     
         15 . A method for stabilizing a vertebral column comprising:
 disposing a vertebral stabilizing plate in an intervertebral space of a patient, the vertebral stabilizing plate having an elongate channel;   disposing a first extension adapter on the vertebral stabilizing plate in the intervertebral space of the patient, the extension adapter having a first bridge with a distal and a proximal end, a first attachment cross-link having an aperture and attached to the proximal end of the bridge, and a first extension cross-link having an aperture and attached to the distal end of the bridge;   aligning the aperture of the first attachment cross-link with the elongate channel of the vertebral stabilizing plate;   fastening the first attachment cross-link to the vertebral stabilizing plate; and   fastening the first extension cross-link to a the vertebral column.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 fastening the first attachment cross-link to the vertebral column.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first attachment cross-link has a plurality of attachment grooves disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the attachment cross-link, and wherein the vertebral stabilizing plate has a plurality of channel grooves on at least a portion of the interior surface of the elongate channel, further comprising the step of:
 aligning at least a portion of the plurality of channel grooves of the interior surface of the elongate channel with at least a portion of the plurality of attachment grooves of the outer surface of the first attachment cross-link.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the extension adapter further comprises a second bridge having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the first extension cross-link is attached to the proximal end of the second bridge, and a second extension cross-link attached to the distal end of the second bridge, the second extension cross-link having an aperture the method further comprising:
 fastening the second extension cross-link to the vertebral column.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 disposing a second extension adapter on the first extension cross-link of the first extension adapter, the second extension adapter having a bridge with a distal and proximal end, an attachment cross-link having an aperture and attached to the proximal end of the bridge of the second extension adapter, and an extension cross-link having an aperture and attached to the distal end of the bridge of the second extension adapter;   aligning the aperture of the attachment cross-link of the second extension adapter with the aperture of the extension cross-link of the first extension adapter;   fastening the attachment cross-link of the second extension adapter to the extension cross-link of the first extension adapter; and   fastening the extension cross-link of the second extension adapter to the vertebral column.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 fastening the attachment cross-link of the second extension adapter to the vertebral column.