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Method for fixing an augmenter for vertebral body reconstruction

Method for fixing an augmenter for vertebral body reconstruction description/claims

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for fixing an augmenter for vertebral body reconstruction, more particularly one, according to which an augmenter can be inserted in and firmly joined to a collapsed section of a vertebra so as to enlarge the collapsed vertebral section and restore the vertebra to its original position.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Osteoporosis is a disease in which calcium content of bones gradually decreases, and in turns, bones become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress to make bones become subject to breakage. Breakage of bones related to osteoporosis usually occurs in the spine.

Certain people are more likely to develop osteoporosis than others. Risk factors have been identified as followings, which will increase the likelihood of developing osteoporosis:

1. Being Caucasian or Asian; average skeletal mass of Caucasian and Asian is lower than that of black people, and Caucasian and Asian are more likely than black people to develop osteoporosis;

2. An improper lifestyle; use of alcohol, cigarette, excessive use of coffee, tea, and excessive or lack of exercises;

3. A family history of osteoporosis;

4. Use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids, and anticonvulsants;

5. Estrogen deficiency as a result of menopause, especially early or surgically induced in women or low testosterone levels in men; and 6. Being female and/or having a small frame; females who have never given birth to babies or had their first menstrual period at older age.

A conventional method of treating osteoporosis-related fracture is to insert steel nail into a vertebra from rear side of the vertebra. This method has the following disadvantages:

1. Two vertebras above the fractured vertebra and two under the fractured vertebra have to be fixed if this method is used. Consequently, a big portion of the spine becomes stiff, flexibility of the spine is reduced to a large degree.

2. A vertebra, which has fractured due to osteoporosis, is likely to become unsteady and fracture again after restoration of position with steel nails.

3. A relatively large incision has to be formed on the patient's back, and it takes relatively much time to perform the surgery and for the incision to heal, and the incision is prone to become infected.

Another conventional method of treating osteoporosis-related fracture is to insert steel nail into a vertebra from front side of the vertebra. This method has the following disadvantages:

1. Surgical equipments will have to be passed through thoracic cavity or abdominal cavity of the patient in operation therefore nearby organs, e.g. lungs and blood vessels, could be at risk.

2. It takes relatively much time to perform the surgery. And, there is risk of infection because donated bones or ribs of the patient from front side of the vertebra will be used according to this method.

3. It also will cause reduction of the flexibility of the spine.

It is a main object of the invention to provide an improvement on a method for fixing an augmenter for vertebral body reconstruction to overcome the above-mentioned problems.

The method of the present invention includes the following steps: incising a middle of a portion of a rear side of a person's body that faces a collapsed section of a vertebra; establishing a correct position for insertion of an augmenter and drilling a fixing hole on a pedicle of said collapsed vertebral section; putting filler such as harvested autogenous bone, artificial bone, and bone cement into said fixing hole; inserting an augmenter into said fixing hole, and filling said fixing hole with filler such as harvested autogenous bone, artificial bone, and bone cement. Therefore, the method of the present invention has the following advantages over the currently existing ones: The incision is relatively small, and will heal in relatively short length of time, and will not become infected. It takes less time to operate and plant the augmenters. There is no risk of the patient's organs and blood vessels getting injured. And, the augmenters won't cause other healthy vertebras to lose the freedom to move.

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• Utility Patent

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