| 摘要 |
<p>A system for stabilizing the vertebral column (10) without requiring the excision of bone from the superior or inferior vertebrae (14A, 14B) or the resection of the adjacent anterior or posterior longitudinal ligaments. The system includes a stabilizing device (22) and a deployment system (24) composed of first and second coacting tools (30, 34). The stabilizing device (22) is made up of an expandable threaded insert (26) and an expansion screw (28). The threaded insert (26) is a hollow cylindrical member having a central cylindrical threaded bore (40), and a self tapping helical thread (46) extending about the other periphery (48) of the member. The member (26) is split at its proximal end (38) in communication with the bore (40) to form a pair of slots (42, 44) extending parallel to its longitudinal axis (Z). The expandable insert (26) is arranged to be screwed by the first tool (30) into the intervertebral space between the superior and inferior vertebrae (14A, 14B) to a desired depth and with the slots (42, 44) oriented in a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Y) of the vertebral column (10). The first tool (30) includes a pair of extending fingers (64) which fit into the slots (42, 44) to achieve that end.</p> |
