Spinal fixation method and apparatus

摘要

A spinal stabilization system having a pedicle screw which includes (i) a shaft with external threads and a head segment on one end of the shaft; (ii) a first drive socket positioned in the head segment; (iii) a second drive socket on a shaft end opposite the first drive socket; and (iv) wherein the shaft end opposite the first drive socket has a lesser diameter than the shaft end at the head segment. The system further includes an intervertebral stabilization structure having an elongated body with rotating ring segments attached to each end of the elongated body.

主权项

1. A method for spine stabilization comprising the steps of:
a) accessing the posterior side of a subject's spine, advancing a screw into the pedical entry surface of a first vertebra and partially into the vertebral body, but without exiting the anterior side of the vertebral body, b) repeating step (a) at a second vertebra; c) wherein the screws each comprise:
i) a first drive socket;ii) a threaded shaft extending from the first drive socket; andiii) a second drive socket on a shaft end opposite the first drive socket; d) accessing the anterior side of the spine, in both the first and second vertebra, drilling through an anterior surface of the vertebral body until the second drive sockets of the screws are encountered; e) engaging the second drive sockets and advancing the screws toward the anterior surface of the vertebral body; f) wherein at least one intervertebral stabilization structure is fixed between the first and second vertebra by attaching to the screws on at least one of the posterior side of the spine or the anterior side of the spine.