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  Method of repairing a bone jointUSPTO Application #: 20060287723Title: Method of repairing a bone joint Abstract: A method of repairing a bone joint by using 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 spine procedure, is disclosed. The method includes anchoring the artificial ligament to at least two vertebrae to aid in restoring stability to the compromised joint. The artificial ligament is also disclosed. (end of abstract) Agent: Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP Intellectual Property Section - Dallas, TX, US Inventors: Nabil L. Muhanna, Lance Middleton USPTO Applicaton #: 20060287723 - Class: 623013140 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, Or Aids And Accessories Therefor, Implantable Prosthesis, Ligament Or Tendon, Including Ligament Anchor Means The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060287723. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/543,288 filed Apr. 5, 2000 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/127,735, filed Apr. 5, 1999, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present disclosure relates generally to prosthetic members for joining or repairing bone segments, including artificial ligaments and, more specifically, to an artificial ligament intended for partial or full replacement of the anterior longitudinal ligament of the anterior lumbar, thoracic or cervical spine. [0003] Ligaments extend between adjacent bone structures and serve a primary function of maintaining and providing appropriate stability to the bone structures to maintain the structures in aligned, spaced relation, particularly when subjected to loads in tension or upon torsional movement. Spinal ligaments stabilize and support vertebral bodies during movement of the spine. [0004] During surgical treatment of the spine, a section of a spinal ligament may be resected to provide access to a diseased or damaged intervertebral disc and/or to permit introduction of a fusion implant, bone graft or intervertebral disc prosthesis intended for long term support of the vertebral bodies. The bone graft, fusion implant or intervertebral disc return stability to the spinal column in compression and flexing, however, due to removal of the spinal ligament, the biomechanical characteristics of extension and torsional stability lost by the ligament's removal must be replaced. Current techniques involve the use of metal bone plates which are secured to the vertebral bodies with screw locking mechanisms. Conventional bone plates, however, are rigid and, thus, significantly inhibit spine mobility. Additionally, the screw locking mechanisms utilized with such plates are relatively complicated and provide minimal flexibility with respect to fastener positioning, etc. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to 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. In one preferred embodiment, an artificial spinal 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein: [0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the artificial ligament of the present disclosure; [0008] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the artificial ligament of FIG. 1; [0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2; [0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment illustrating mounting thereof to the vertebral column; [0011] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of FIG. 1; [0012] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5; and [0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the artificial ligament. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0014] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements throughout the several views, there is illustrated the artificial ligament of the present disclosure. The artificial ligament of the present disclosure is intended to replace part or all of the supporting function of a ligament previously removed in connection with a surgical procedure. The artificial ligament has particular application in replacing the supportive function of a spinal ligament, e.g., anterior or posterior, which may have been fully or partially resected during a spinal procedure. The artificial ligament is advantageously dimensioned to be positioned to span adjacent vertebrae to restore the natural biomechanics, e.g., including tensional support and range of motion, of the removed ligament segment. The artificial ligament is contemplated for use with a bone graft, fusion implant or artificial disc to compliment the compressive load characteristics of the implant with its tensional supporting capabilities during healing. It is also envisioned that the ligament may be utilized in other capacities such as, for example, repair of other body ligaments such as the anterior crucial ligament, etc. [0015] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, artificial ligament 100 includes ligament body or plate 102 which is advantageously dimensioned to span at least two adjacent vertebrae. It is envisioned that the ligament body 102 may span three or more vertebral bodies. In a preferred embodiment, the length "1" of ligament body 102 ranges from about 1-3 inches, preferably about 2 inches. [0016] Ligament body 102 is preferably fabricated from a generally flexible material. The selected flexible material of ligament body 102 preferably has physical characteristics which approximate the biomechanical characteristics of the spinal ligament which it replaces. More specifically, the selected material of ligament body 102 supports the spine and provides stability'in extension, i.e., the ligament body has tensional load bearing capabilities while also permitting a degree of flexibility approximating the natural ligament. A preferred material of fabrication for ligament body 102 includes a flexible polymeric material such as polyethylene. [0017] Ligament body 102 defines first and second web body end portions 104 connected through intermediate body portion 106'. Web body end portions 104 each include a pair of apertures 108 for reception of bone fasteners 110. As best depicted in FIG. 2, apertures 108 may be generally elongated or slotted in the longitudinal direction with respect to longitudinal axis "a" of body 102 to permit multi-position capabilities of the bone fasteners 110 with respect to ligament body 102 and the vertebral bodies as will be discussed. Apertures 108 are preferably countersunk defining a beveled or chamfered surface 112 adjacent the upper surface of the ligament body 102 for reception of the head 114 of the bone fasteners 110 in flush relation therewith. Although two apertures 108 are shown in each web end portion 104 of the preferred embodiment, it is envisioned that each web portion 104 may have more than two apertures or only one aperture. With particular reference to FIG. 2, intermediate body portion 106 has a width "w" which is substantially less than the corresponding width of web portion 104. Such dimensioning reduces the transverse profile of ligament body 102 thereby increasing flexibility to facilitate torsional movement of ligament body 102 upon corresponding movement of the patient's spine. The width "w" of intermediate body portion 102 ranges from about 0.125 inches to about 0.375 inches, more preferably, about 0.250 inches. [0018] With reference again to FIG. 1, bone fasteners 110 serve as anchoring means for securing the ligament body 102 to the adjacent vertebrae. The preferred bone fastener 110 includes a fastener head 114 and a fastener shaft 116 extending from the fastener head. The fastener shaft 116 is threaded preferably with a self-tapping thread 118. Upon mounting of bone fastener 110 within the adjacent vertebrae, the fastener head 114 is preferably flush with the upper surface of the ligament body 102. Other anchoring means for mounting ligament body 102 to the vertebral bodies are envisioned by one skilled in the art including expandable bolts, screws, non-threaded fasteners, etc. [0019] In use in connection with an anterior spinal procedure, the anterior ligament is removed to permit access to a diseased or damaged disc section. A partial or full discectomy may be performed followed by insertion of a bone graft, fusion implant (e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,740, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) or an intervertebral prosthesis (such as disclosed in commonly assigned application Ser. No. 09/098,606, filed Jun. 17, 1998, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). Continue reading... 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