Posterior stabilization systems and methods

Abstract

An implantable body for a posterior stabilization system includes a lateral end, a medial end, an inwardly facing surface configured to abut against a lamina when the body is implanted along a vertebra. A lateral bone outrigger extends from the inwardly facing surface and may include a bone-abutting surface along a medial portion disposed to abut against a lateral mass of the vertebra when the body is implanted along a vertebra. The lateral bone outrigger may have a first height. A penetrating feature extends from the inwardly facing surface between the bone-engaging portion of the inwardly facing surface and the lateral bone outrigger. The penetrating feature may have a second height less than the first height. A fastener bore extends through the body at an angle toward the lateral bone outrigger.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An implantable posterior stabilization device comprising:
 a main body comprising a lateral end, a medial end, an inwardly facing surface, and an outwardly facing surface, the inwardly facing surface having a bone-abutting portion disposed proximate the medial end and configured to abut against a lamina when the main body is implanted along a vertebra;   a lateral bone outrigger extending from the inwardly facing surface adjacent the lateral end, the lateral bone outrigger having a bone-abutting surface along a medial portion disposed to abut against a lateral mass of the vertebra when the main body is implanted along the vertebra;   a fastener bore hole extending through the main body from the inwardly facing surface and angled toward the lateral bone rigger within an angle range of between 20 and 55 degrees; and   a pivotable head projecting from the outwardly facing surface, the pivotable head having a U-shaped receiver configured to fixedly engage a stabilizing rod to the pivotable head.   
     
     
         18 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 17 , wherein a central axis of the fastener bore hole forms an angle A 1  of between 5 and 55 degrees with a line perpendicular to the inwardly facing surface. 
     
     
         19 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 18 , wherein the central axis of the fastener bore hole forms an angle A 2  of between 20 and 55 degrees with an axial plane of the vertebra. 
     
     
         20 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 19 , wherein the angle A 2  is between 26 and 41 degrees. 
     
     
         21 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 20 , wherein the angle A 2  is about 30 degrees. 
     
     
         22 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 19 , wherein the angles A 1  and A 2  are within 10 degrees of one another. 
     
     
         23 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 19 , wherein the angles A 1  and A 2  are within 1 degree of one another. 
     
     
         24 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 17 , wherein a central axis of the fastener bore hole forms an angle A 3  of between 20 and 55 degrees with a sagittal plane of the vertebra. 
     
     
         25 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 24 , wherein the angle A 3  is between 25 and 45 degrees. 
     
     
         26 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 25 , wherein the angle A 3  is between 26 and 41 degrees. 
     
     
         27 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 26 , wherein the angle A 3  is about 27 degrees. 
     
     
         28 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 17 , wherein the outrigger extends from the inwardly facing surface at an angle of between 20 and 60 degrees from a line perpendicular to the inwardly facing surface. 
     
     
         29 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 28 , wherein the outrigger extends from the inwardly facing surface at an angle of between 25 and 40 degrees from a line perpendicular to the inwardly facing surface. 
     
     
         30 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 29 , wherein the outrigger extends from the inwardly facing surface at an angle of about 35 degrees from a line perpendicular to the inwardly facing surface. 
     
     
         31 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 17 , wherein the pivot head extends from the outwardly facing surface at an angle β of between 20 and 40 degrees from perpendicular. 
     
     
         32 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 31 , wherein the angle β is between 28 and 35 degrees. 
     
     
         33 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 32 , wherein the angle β is about degrees. 
     
     
         34 . The implantable posterior stabilization device of  claim 17 , wherein the U-shaped receiver is threaded.