초록 ▼

A simple and flexible artificial ligament which easily conforms to a patient's anatomy and can be used independently or in combination with an intervertebral graft, implant or prosthesis to return stability to the spine subsequent to a surgical spinal procedure is disclosed. In one preferred embodim

A simple and flexible artificial ligament which easily conforms to a patient's anatomy and can be used independently or in combination with an intervertebral graft, implant or prosthesis to return stability to the spine subsequent to a surgical spinal procedure is disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, the artificial ligament is in the form of a flexible conformable plate dimensioned to span adjacent vertebrae and having openings for reception of bone screws, fasteners, etc. to mount the plate to the vertebrae. The biomechanical supporting characteristics of the plate approximate the characteristics of the ligament (e.g., anterior spinal) which it replaces thereby providing appropriate support to the spine in extension which also permitting normal spine mobility. A method of supporting adjacent vertebrae with the artificial ligament is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A flexible prosthesis for supporting adjacent vertebrae, which comprises: a flexible elongated plate member defining a longitudinal axis and having a length sufficient to at least span an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, the flexible elongate plate member comprising a material

1. A flexible prosthesis for supporting adjacent vertebrae, which comprises: a flexible elongated plate member defining a longitudinal axis and having a length sufficient to at least span an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, the flexible elongate plate member comprising a material having physical characteristics approximating the natural biomechanical characteristics of a spinal ligament to thereby permit the plate member to provide support to the adjacent vertebrae when subjected to a load in tension while permitting a degree of torsional movement about the longitudinal axis when subjected to a load in torsion, the flexible elongate plate member defining oppositely oriented longitudinal end portions, each end portion having at least two slotted apertures extending therethrough, and an intermediate portion disposed between the longitudinal end portions, the intermediate portion defining a width substantially less than corresponding widths of the longitudinal end portions and having an area of reduced thickness to facilitate torsional movement of the plate member, and a fastener inserted into the at least one of the at least two slotted apertures of each longitudinal end portion for mounting the plate member to the adjacent vertebrae. 2. The flexible prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein the material of the plate member is a polymeric material. 3. The flexible prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric material is a polyethylene. 4. The flexible prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least two slotted apertures is generally elongated in a longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plate member to permit movement of the plate member relative to the respective first or second fastener. 5. The flexible prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein the plate member is configured to be non-load bearing in compression. 6. The flexible prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein the plate member is a monolithically formed single unit. 7. The flexible prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion includes an arcuate bend, the arcuate bend being configured to deform toward a linear configuration upon application of a threshold tensional load to the plate member. 8. The flexible prosthesis according to claim 7 wherein the plate member is a monolithically formed single unit. 9. A flexible prosthesis for supporting adjacent vertebrae, which comprises: a flexible elongate plate member defining a longitudinal axis and having a length sufficient to at least span an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae, the flexible elongate plate member comprising a material having physical characteristics approximating the natural biomechanical characteristics of a spinal ligament to thereby permit the plate member to provide support to the adjacent vertebrae when subjected to a load in tension while permitting a degree of torsional movement about the longitudinal axis when subjected to a load in torsion, the flexible elongate plate member defining oppositely oriented longitudinal end portions, each end portion having at least two slotted apertures extending therethrough, and an intermediate portion disposed between the longitudinal end portions, the intermediate portion defining an arcuate bend configured to deform toward a liner arrangement upon application of a threshold tensional load to the plate member, the intermediate portion having a width substantially less than corresponding widths of the longitudinal end portions, and a fastener inserted into the at least one of the at least two slotted apertures of each longitudinal end portion for mounting the plate member to the adjacent vertebrae.