System for fixing and recuperating vertebrae under treatment

[00002] The present invention relates generally to a system for fixing and recuperating the deformed vertebrae, and more particularly to a vertebral fixation and recuperation system having an intervertebral fixation block.

[00003] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,454,812 and 5,439,463 disclose a device comprising two fixation hooks and a connection member for clamping and fixing two spinal segments under treatment. These two prior art devices are incapable of fixing effectively the deformed vertebrae, especially the deformed cervical vertebrae.

[00004] According to the research done by this inventor of the present invention, the drawback of the prior art devices can be overcome by the addition of an intervertebral fixation block to the prior art devices. In other words, the system of the present invention is suitable for use in fixing and recuperating the deformed spinal segments, such as cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, and lumbar vertebrae. The present invention is most suitable for use in fixing and recuperating the cervical vertebrae.

[00005] It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a spinal fixation and recuperation system which is provided with an intervertebral fixation block urging the two vertebrae under treatment.

[00006] The spinal fixation and recuperation system of the present invention comprises a vertebrae-clamping device and an intervertebral fixation block. The vertebrae-clamping device includes two fixation hooks, and a connection portion for use in connecting the two fixation hooks. The intervertebral fixation block comprises a block body, and a joining part for use in joining the block body with the connection portion of the vertebrae-clamping device.

[00007] The objectives, features, functions and advantages of the system of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[00014] The system of the present invention is designed to fix and recuperate the deformed vertebrae. The system comprises a vertebrae-clamping device and an intervertebral fixation block.

[00015] The vertebrae-clamping device comprises two fixation hooks and a connection portion which is used to connect the two fixation hooks.

[00016] The intervertebral fixation block comprises a block body, and a joining means for use in joining the block body with the connection portion of the vertebrae-clamping device.

[00017] The vertebrae-clamping device of the present invention is basically similar in construction to the prior art devices, such as those which are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,380,326; 5,439,463; and 5,454,812. Accordingly, the fixation hooks of the vertebrae-clamping device of the system of the present invention are similar in construction to those of the prior art devices. The connection portion of the system of the present invention may be a connection rod or connection cord. The connection portion and the fixation hook of the system of the present invention may be made integrally.

[00018] The block body and the joining means of the intervertebral fixation block of the present invention may be made separately or integrally. It is preferable that the block body and the joining means of the present invention are made integrally. The shape and the size of the block body are not limited, depending on the shape and the size of the vertebrae under treatment. Of course, it is desirable to have the block bodies of various shapes and sizes on hand during the surgical operation. The block body has one side which is arcuately projected, and other side which is arcuately recessed. The joining means is preferably opposite to said arcuately-projected side and said arcuately-recessed side. In light of the two sides of the block body being used to fix two vertebrae under treatment, it is preferable that said arcuately-projected side and said arcuately-recessed side of the block body are provided with one or more protrusions for-enhancing the fixation effect of the present invention.

[00019] The joining member of the intervertebral fixation block of the present invention may be of any shape and is provided with a fixation hole or slot for use in joining the block body with the connection portion of the vertebrae-clamping device. If the connection portion happens to be a connection cord, the joining member should be provided with the fixation hole, not fixation slot. On the other hand, if the connection portion is a connection rod, the joining member may be provided with the fixation hole, or the fixation slot which is preferable. If necessary, an auxiliary fixation member, such as a screw, may be used in conjunction with a threaded hole of the joining member of the intervertebral fixation block.

[00020] As shown in FIG. 1, a vertebrae-clamping device 100 embodied in the present invention comprises two fixation hooks 110 and 120, and a connection portion 130. In addition, the system of the present invention further comprises an intervertebral fixation block 200, which comprises a block body 210 and a joining member 220. The connection portion 130 is put through a fixation hole 221 of the joining member 220 and a through hole 122 of the fixation hook 120 such that outer threads 135 of the connection portion 130 are engaged with a nut 140. The fixation hook 120 is fixed on the connection portion 130 by a screw 145 which is engaged with a threaded hole 125 of the fixation hook 120. The block body 210 is provided in the arcuately-projected side thereof with a plurality of fixation protrusions 211, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[00021] As shown in FIG. 3, the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is basically similar in construction to the first preferred embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, with the difference being that the joining member 220 of the second preferred embodiment is joined with the connection portion 130 by the fixation slot 221 in conjunction with a lateral screw, if necessary.

[00022] As shown in FIG. 4, the third preferred embodiment of the present invention is basically similar in construction to the first preferred embodiment described above, except that the former is provided with an auxiliary fixation screw 225 which is engaged with the threaded hole of the joining member 220, so as to fix the joining member 220 at a specific position of the connection portion 130.

[00023] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the fixation effect of the system of the present invention on two vertebrae 500 and 550 is enhanced by the protrusions 211 of the block body 210 of the intervertebral fixation block 200.

[00024] As illustrated in FIG. 6, a plurality of the systems of the present invention are used to fix and recuperate a series of cervical vertebrae which are designated as C1, C2, C4, C5 and C6. To be more specific, four sets of the systems of the present invention are used to fix and recuperate the cervical vertebrae such that two sets of the systems are used to fix two cervical vertebrae C1 and C2, and that other two sets of the systems are used to fix the cervical vertebrae C4 and C5, as well as C5 and C6.