Margaret A Mitchell

US Patent:

20060229608, Oct 12, 2006

Filed:

Mar 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/082297

Inventors:

Thomas Foster - Boulder CO, US
David Hooper - Austin TX, US
Margaret Mitchell - Cedar Park TX, US
David Krueger - Cedar Park TX, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/30

US Classification:

606061000

Abstract:

A spinal implant provides support for desired parts of the spine. The implant can provide support in both fusion and non-fusion situations. The spinal implant includes an implant rod and fasteners for coupling or fastening the implant rod to the affected regions of the spine via the pedicles of the affected vertebrae). The implant rod includes a flexible portion and rigid end portions. The fasteners couple the end portions of the rod to the pedicles in the affected level. The flexible portion can take a variety of shapes, such as non-helical, multi-curve springs. One may combine several implant rods to provide an overall implant for more than one level of the spine. The implant can allow desired motion while tending to limit undesirable motion, thus protecting areas of the diseased or injured spine, such as the nucleus pulposus or anulus fibrosis. Furthermore, the implant can provide a combination of rigid and flexible support, as desired. One may manufacture the implant using a variety of materials, such as stainless steel, titanium, or titanium Beta C.