56 results about "Posterior longitudinal ligament" patented technology

Apparatus and methods for treating back pain of a patient by denervation of an intervertebral disc or a region of the posterior longitudinal ligament by the controlled application of heat to a target tissue. In one embodiment, the invention may include a procedure combining both decompression of a disc, and denervation of the annulus fibrosus. In one embodiment, a method of the invention includes positioning an active electrode of an electrosurgical instrument in at least close proximity to an intervertebral disc, and applying at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode, wherein nervous tissue within the annulus fibrosus is inactivated, and discogenic pain of the patient is alleviated. In one embodiment, the invention includes positioning a first electrode of a dual-shaft electrosurgical instrument at a first location in relation to a target disc, positioning a second electrode of the instrument at a second location, and applying a high frequency voltage between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed on separate shafts of the instrument.

Methods and devices are provided for replacing a spinal disc. In an exemplary embodiment, artificial disc replacements and methods are provided wherein at least a portion of a disc replacement can be implanted using a posterolateral approach. With a posterolateral approach, the spine is accessed more from the side of the spinal canal through an incision formed in the patient's back. A pathway is created from the incision to the disc space between adjacent vertebrae. Portions of the posterolateral annulus, and posterior lip of the vertebral body may be removed to access the disc space, leaving the remaining annulus and the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments in tact. The disc implant can be at least partially introduced using a posterolateral approach, yet it has a size that is sufficient to restore height to the adjacent vertebrae, and that is sufficient to maximize contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.

A system and method are provided for making an access channel through a vertebral body to access a site of neural compression, decompressing it, and repairing the channel to restore vertebral integrity. System elements include an implantable vertebral plate, a guidance device for orienting bone cutting tools and controlling the path of a cutting tool, a bone cutting tool to make a channel in the vertebral body, a tool for opening or partially-resecting the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine, a tool for retrieving a herniated disc, an implantable device with osteogenic material to fill the access channel, and a retention device that lockably-engages the bone plate to retain it in position after insertion. System elements may be included in a surgery to decompress an individual nerve root, the spinal cord, or the cauda equina when compressed, for example, by any of a herniated disc, an osteophyte, a thickened ligament arising from degenerative changes within the spine, a hematoma, or a tumor.

Apparatus and methods for treating back pain of a patient by denervation of an intervertebral disc or a region of the posterior longitudinal ligament by the controlled application of heat to a target tissue. In one embodiment, the invention may include a procedure combining both decompression of a disc, and denervation of the annulus fibrosus. In one embodiment, a method of the invention includes positioning an active electrode of an electrosurgical instrument in at least close proximity to an intervertebral disc, and applying at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode, wherein nervous tissue within the annulus fibrosus is inactivated, and discogenic pain of the patient is alleviated. In one embodiment, the invention includes positioning a first electrode of a dual-shaft electrosurgical instrument at a first location in relation to a target disc, positioning a second electrode of the instrument at a second location, and applying a high frequency voltage between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed on separate shafts of the instrument.

Apparatus and methods for treating back pain of a patient by denervation of an intervertebral disc or a region of the posterior longitudinal ligament by the controlled application of heat to a target tissue. In one embodiment, the invention may include a procedure combining both decompression of a disc, and denervation of the annulus fibrosus. In one embodiment, a method of the invention includes positioning an active electrode of an electrosurgical instrument in at least close proximity to an intervertebral disc, and applying at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode, wherein nervous tissue within the annulus fibrosus is inactivated, and discogenic pain of the patient is alleviated. In one embodiment, the invention includes positioning a first electrode of a dual-shaft electrosurgical instrument at a first location in relation to a target disc, positioning a second electrode of the instrument at a second location, and applying a high frequency voltage between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed on separate shafts of the instrument.

A system and method are provided for making an access channel through a vertebral body to access a site of neural compression, decompressing it, and repairing the channel to restore vertebral integrity. System elements include an implantable vertebral plate, a guidance device for orienting bone cutting tools and controlling the path of a cutting tool, a bone cutting tool to make a channel in the vertebral body, a tool for opening or partially-resecting the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine, a tool for retrieving a herniated disc, an implantable device with osteogenic material to fill the access channel, and a retention device that lockably-engages the bone plate to retain it in position after insertion. System elements may be included in a surgery to decompress an individual nerve root, the spinal cord, or the cauda equina when compressed, for example, by any of a herniated disc, an osteophyte, a thickened ligament arising from degenerative changes within the spine, a hematoma, or a tumor.

An intervertebral spacer adapted for implanting between adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine as a load-bearing replacement for a spinal disc. The spacing member includes an external, non-porous, concavo-convex contour with respect to one dimension of the spacing member. The spacing member is preferably constructed from a rigid, non-resilient load-bearing material that is incapable of elastic deformation. The spacing member is inserted with the aid of a sheathed trocar device that is releasably attached to the spacer, to enable implantation and selective positioning of the spacer by the surgeon from the posterior side of the spine, without the need to retract the dural nerve or the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Disclosed methods and devices treat chronic lower back pain from degenerated or injured intervertebral discs. Electrodes connected to a pulse generator deliver electrical impulses to nerves located within the posterior longitudinal ligament and annulus fibrosus of lumbar intervertebral discs. The stimulation reduces back pain reversibly, adjustably, and with almost complete coverage of the pain-generating region. A temporary percutaneous lead and a permanent paddle lead are used. The percutaneous lead, designed to prevent inappropriate stimulation of the thecal sac, is inserted using a specially-designed introducer cannula and lead blank. The paddle lead is configured individually for implantation in the anterior epidural space of each patient. Electrical stimulation parameters may also be selected so as to ablate the nerves, using non-thermal irreversible electroporation, or using joule heating wherein a thermal insulator covers substantially all of the thecal sac, thereby shielding the thecal sac from potential heat damage.

Methods and devices to treat discogenic lumbar back pain are disclosed. Electrodes are implanted within the anterior epidural space of the patient. A pulse generator that is connected to the electrodes delivers electrical impulses to sympathetic nerves located within the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) of the lumbar spine and outer posterior annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. In alternate embodiments, energy directed to nerves in the PLL may be from light or mechanical vibrations, or the nerves may be cooled. The electrodes may also be used diagnostically to correlate spontaneous nerve activity with spinal movement, fluctuations in autonomic tone and the patient's experience of pain. The electrodes may also be used to generate diagnostic evoked potentials. The diagnostic data are used to devise parameters for the therapeutic nerve stimulation. Automatic analysis of the data may be incorporated into a closed-loop system that performs the nerve stimulation automatically.

Methods and devices are provided for replacing a spinal disc. In an exemplary embodiment, artificial disc replacements and methods are provided wherein at least a portion of a disc replacement can be implanted using a posterolateral approach. With a posterolateral approach, the spine is accessed more from the side of the spinal canal through an incision formed in the patient's back. A pathway is created from the incision to the disc space between adjacent vertebrae. Portions of the posterolateral annulus, and posterior lip of the vertebral body may be removed to access the disc space, leaving the remaining annulus and the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments in tact. The disc implant can be at least partially introduced using a posterolateral approach, yet it has a size that is sufficient to restore height to the adjacent vertebrae, and that is sufficient to maximize contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.

Methods and devices to treat discogenic lumbar back pain are disclosed. Electrodes are implanted within the anterior epidural space of the patient. A pulse generator that is connected to the electrodes delivers electrical impulses to sympathetic nerves located within the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) of the lumbar spine and outer posterior annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. In alternate embodiments, energy directed to nerves in the PLL may be from light or mechanical vibrations, or the nerves may be cooled. The electrodes may also be used diagnostically to correlate spontaneous nerve activity with spinal movement, fluctuations in autonomic tone and the patient's experience of pain. The electrodes may also be used to generate diagnostic evoked potentials. The diagnostic data are used to devise parameters for the therapeutic nerve stimulation. Automatic analysis of the data may be incorporated into a closed-loop system that performs the nerve stimulation automatically.

Methods and devices are provided for replacing a spinal disc. In an exemplary embodiment, artificial disc replacements and methods are provided wherein at least a portion of a disc replacement can be implanted using a posterolateral approach. With a posterolateral approach, the spine is accessed more from the side of the spinal canal through an incision formed in the patient's back. A pathway is created from the incision to the disc space between adjacent vertebrae. Portions of the posterolateral annulus, and posterior lip of the vertebral body may be removed to access the disc space, leaving the remaining annulus and the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments in tact. The disc implant can be at least partially introduced using a posterolateral approach, yet it has a size that is sufficient to restore height to the adjacent vertebrae, and that is sufficient to maximize contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.

A system and method are provided for making an access channel through a vertebral body to access a site of neural compression, decompressing it, and repairing the channel to restore vertebral integrity. System elements include an implantable vertebral plate, a guidance device for orienting bone cutting tools and controlling the path of a cutting tool, a bone cutting tool to make a channel in the vertebral body, a tool for opening or partially-resecting the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine, a tool for retrieving a herniated disc, an implantable device with osteogenic material to fill the access channel, and a retention device that lockably-engages the bone plate to retain it in position after insertion. System elements may be included in a surgery to decompress an individual nerve root, the spinal cord, or the cauda equina when compressed, for example, by any of a herniated disc, an osteophyte, a thickened ligament arising from degenerative changes within the spine, a hematoma, or a tumor.

A system and method are provided for making an access channel through a vertebral body to access a site of neural compression, decompressing it, and repairing the channel to restore vertebral integrity. System elements include an implantable vertebral plate, a guidance device for orienting bone cutting tools and controlling the path of a cutting tool, a bone cutting tool to make a channel in the vertebral body, a tool for opening or partially-resecting the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine, a tool for retrieving a herniated disc, an implantable device with osteogenic material to fill the access channel, and a retention device that lockably-engages the bone plate to retain it in position after insertion. System elements may be included in a surgery to decompress an individual nerve root, the spinal cord, or the cauda equina when compressed, for example, by any of a herniated disc, an osteophyte, a thickened ligament arising from degenerative changes within the spine, a hematoma, or a tumor.

The invention discloses an external thoracolumbar vertebra distraction repositor which comprises a fixed support, two hollow screws, a distracter, a pressurizer and a T-shaped socket spanner; the fixed support comprises a beam and two sets of clamps; the distracter comprises a body and two distraction rods, and one end of the distraction rod is provided with a C-shaped foot hook which is vertical to the distraction rod; the pressurizer comprises a thread rod, a connector and an extension rod; the connector comprises a nut which is connected with the thread rod and a lantern ring which is sleeved on the extension rod, and the lantern ring and the extension rod as well as the lantern ring and the nut are respectively connected with each other rotatably in two intersected planes. The distraction repository can spread the vertebral body to the maximum height according to the practical conditions, and through utilizing the self restrictive tensile forces of the anterior and the posterior longitudinal ligaments of the vertebral body, the vertebral body can be effectively corrected to be backwards protruded for an angle of 2-8 degrees; and moreover, the heights of the anterior, the center and the posteriors can also be effectively reposed. In addition, the distraction repository is also suitable for spreading, restoring and reposing the burst fractures without symptoms of stressed spinal cord and neurological deficit when vertebral body paries posterior fracture is burst in the spinal canal.

A system and method are provided for making an access channel through a vertebral body to access a site of neural compression, decompressing it, and repairing the channel to restore vertebral integrity. System elements include an implantable vertebral plate, a guidance device for orienting bone cutting tools and controlling the path of a cutting tool, a bone cutting tool to make a channel in the vertebral body, a tool for opening or partially-resecting the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine, a tool for retrieving a herniated disc, an implantable device with osteogenic material to fill the access channel, and a retention device that lockably-engages the bone plate to retain it in position after insertion. System elements may be included in a surgery to decompress an individual nerve root, the spinal cord, or the cauda equina when compressed, for example, by any of a herniated disc, an osteophyte, a thickened ligament arising from degenerative changes within the spine, a hematoma, or a tumor.

A method for implanting a neurostimulation lead within a patient includes measuring impedances of electrodes on the lead in order to correctly position the lead relative to a target tissue region. The electrodes are circumferentially segmented electrodes that are spaced from each other about the longitudinal axis of the lead. When the difference between the impedances of the electrodes exceeds a threshold value, the lead is in the correct position. In accordance with another embodiment, impedance measurements are used to select which one of the electrodes is closest to the target tissue region. By determining which electrode has the highest impedance and which electrode has the lowest impedance, the type of tissue adjacent to each electrode can be determined based on the conductivity properties of the tissue. The target tissue region may be a spinal cord, a posterior longitudinal ligament, white matter, or gray matter.

Methods and devices to treat discogenic lumbar back pain are disclosed. Electrodes are implanted within the anterior epidural space of the patient. A pulse generator that is connected to the electrodes delivers electrical impulses to sympathetic nerves located within the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) of the lumbar spine and outer posterior annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. In alternate embodiments, energy directed to nerves in the PLL may be from light or mechanical vibrations, or the nerves may be cooled. The electrodes may also be used diagnostically to correlate spontaneous nerve activity with spinal movement, fluctuations in autonomic tone and the patient's experience of pain. The electrodes may also be used to generate diagnostic evoked potentials. The diagnostic data are used to devise parameters for the therapeutic nerve stimulation. Automatic analysis of the data may be incorporated into a closed-loop system that performs the nerve stimulation automatically.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for performing spinal reconstructive surgery, including measuring spinal length in the Y-axis at the middle column, measuring intervertebral spacing in the Y-axis at the middle column, measuring intervertebral tension applied to the posterior longitudinal ligament, establishing the height of intervertebral spacers along the Y-axis at the middle column based on one or more of such measurements, measuring intervertebral rotation around the Y-axis, and measuring flexion-extension or anterior-posterior rotation around the X-axis.

The invention relates to a distraction bone grafting device for vertebral compression fractures. The distraction bone grafting device comprises a sleeve in which an inner core can be arranged, a cylinder is movably arranged in the sleeve, a plunger which can move in the axial direction of the cylinder is arranged in an inner cavity at one end of the cylinder, and pushes two distracting arms arranged in the cylinder to extend out of the other end of the cylinder, the extending end of each of the distracting arms is constrained on the inner wall of the cylinder at the other end, and distracting blocks are fixed on the end faces of the extending ends. According to the invention, the cylinder, the plunger and the distracting arms are matched, when the plunger moves along the cylinder, the distracting arms distract a vertebral body through the distracting blocks, so that anterior longitudinal ligaments, posterior longitudinal ligaments and fibrous rings are not stretched to avoid nerve injuries.

A bio-compatible covering such as a mesh is used in spinal applications, such as during spinal surgery, to cover, shroud and / or encapsulate at least a portion of one or more vertebrae and / or inter-vertebral devices. The bio-compatible covering preferably, but not necessarily, is formed of PEEK (polyetheretherketone). A delivery instrument for the present PEEK mesh is also provided that places the PEEK mesh onto spinal surfaces (e.g. vertebra and implants) and then applies fasteners to the PEEK mesh and the spinal surfaces for holding the PEEK mesh to the spinal surfaces. The PEEK mesh delivery instrument is preferably, but not necessarily, a minimally invasive delivery instrument (e.g. laproscopic device). The delivery instrument provides a method of simultaneous installation and anchoring of the PEEK mesh. The mesh may be used to emulate (replace) and / or supplement spinal ligaments particularly after spinal surgery such as spinal implant surgery. The mesh may be used in this manner with respect to and / or for the anterior longitudinal ligament and the posterior longitudinal ligament (i.e. artificial ligament). The mesh may also be used as artificial annulus fibrosus material in order to supplement a patient's natural annuls fibrosus. Alternatively or additionally, the mesh may be used to repair or mend a patient's annulus fibrosus.

The invention discloses a traction reposition bed for treating lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. The traction reposition bed consists of a bed frame, a top frame, a hanging frame, a moveable frame, a waist bridle, a belly bridle, a chest bridle, a dual-groups pulley, a single-group pulley, a traction stay cord, a fixed sleeve rope and a hauling rope. During application, when a patient is subjected to prostrate traction, the belly bridle is lifted by the moveable frame through the lever principle to enable the belly to vertically depart from a bed surface, the stay cord is drawn up and down to move the belly for multiple times in a suspension way, an intervertebral space is opened in the form of V, and the posterior longitudinal ligament is tensioned to return the bulging, protruded and prolapsed intervertebral disc back to the intervertebral space, so that compression to the nerve root and spinal cord is eliminated or relieved; on the other hand, adhesion between the protruded intervertebral disc and the nerve root, and between the protruded intervertebral disc and the spinal cord, is relieved. The traction reposition bed can serve as the first choice for treating lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion, a part of patients can be free from the treatment by the traditional surgery, minimally invasive surgery and the like which are high in risk and cost, through the treatment method, and mental burden and economic burden of the patients are reduced.

A method for treating a patient having discogenic pain includes implanting a neurostimulation lead within an anterior portion of the epidural space adjacent to the posterior longitudinal ligament. A plurality of electrodes is attached to the lead and the lead is implanted with at least a portion of the electrodes facing the posterior longitudinal ligament. The lead may be implanted in the lumbar region of the patient's spine, posterior and parallel to the posterior longitudinal ligament. Electrical stimulation energy applied to the patient through the electrode lead implanted in this manner inhibits the pain signals traveling within the posterior longitudinal ligament. Thus, the applied electrical stimulation energy has an anesthetic effect on the pain fibers adjacent to the posterior longitudinal ligament.

The invention relates to the technical field of medical biological detection, and particularly relates to serum miRNA markers suitable for early screening and diagnosis of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and an application thereof in preparation of a diagnostic reagent or kit for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. The biological markers miRNA-563, miRNA-196b, miRNA-10a and miRNA-129 having relatively high diagnosis value on ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament are found out for the first time. Through development and application of the serum miRNA markers and the diagnostic kit, early screening of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament can be more convenient and easier to implement, the foundation is laid for clinicians to quickly and accurately grasp patient conditions and for improving the clinical treatment effect, and help is provided for finding out novel small-molecular drug targets having potential therapeutic value.

A surgical tool to safely penetrate the posterior longitudinal ligaments and prevent damage to vital intervening tissues near the spine. The surgical tool includes a handle, a shaft secured to the handle, and a hook secured to the shaft. The hook extends from the shaft and includes a blunt outside edge, a sharp inside edge, and a blunt tip.

The invention relates to an anterior cervical controllable advancement apparatus. The anterior cervical controllable advancement apparatus comprises a fixed arm, a movable arm, a gear rack, a grooved limiting rod and lifting rods, and further comprises a synchronous lifting component, wherein vertebral body screws are assembled at the lower ends of both the fixed arm and the movable arm; the gear rack and the grooved limiting rod are connected to the fixed arm and the movable arm and are capable of sliding relative to the movable arm; the lifting rods are inserted in a limiting groove of the grooved limiting rod; adjusting screw rods and adjusting nuts, which are sleeved, are arranged on the lifting rods; the adjusting nuts are embedded and retained on the upper side of the limiting groove; oblique through holes are formed in the lower ends of the lifting rods; and angle fixing nails are assembled in the oblique through holes. According to the anterior cervical controllable advancement apparatus provided by the invention, lateral approach of an anterior cervical body can be achieved, and advancement of vertebral bodies related to ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament can be conducted; the advancement apparatus is flexible to use, quantitative and controllable in operation and uniform in lifting; the advancement apparatus is good in operating effect and low in injury to patients; and the advancement apparatus has a broad clinical application prospect.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for performing spinal reconstructive surgery, including measuring spinal length in the Y-axis at the middle column, measuring intervertebral spacing in the Y-axis at the middle column, measuring intervertebral tension applied to the posterior longitudinal ligament, establishing the height of intervertebral spacers along the Y-axis at the middle column based on one or more of such measurements, measuring intervertebral rotation around the Y-axis, and measuring flexion-extension or anterior-posterior rotation around the X-axis.

The present invention discloses one kind of externally applied Chinese medicine composition for treating rheumatic arthritis and calcification of posterior longitudinal ligament of vertebral body. The externally applied Chinese medicine composition is prepared Sichuan aconite root 5-10 weight portions, wild aconite root 5-10 weight portions, arisaema tuber 5-10 weight portions, aconite root 5-10 weight portions, asarum herb 1-4 weight portions, cassia 1.5-4 weight portions, dahurian angelica root 1.5-4 weight portions, red peony root 20-100 weight portions, and musk 0.5-1 weight portions, and through powdering and mixing with white spirit. It has the functions of relieving stasis, dredging meridian passage, promoting blood circulation to disperse blood clots, etc. The externally applied Chinese medicine composition has fast acting, easy absorption, less recurrence.

The invention discloses a building method of an animal model of ruptured lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. The method comprises the steps of cutting a first caudal vertebra intervertebral disc and a second caudal vertebra intervertebral disc of a rat, and cutting upper and lower cartilage endplates of the first caudal vertebra intervertebral disc to make nucleus pulposus exposed; piercing lateral annulus of the second caudal vertebra intervertebral disc, and fishing out nucleus pulposus of the annulus; embedding the first caudal vertebra intervertebral disc in muscles outside canalis vertebralis of the rat to make the nucleus pulposus be in contact with blood supply; implanting the second caudal vertebra intervertebral disc into lumbar vertebral canalis vertebralis of the rat to compress the base of nerve roots of the rat. By means of the building method of the animal model of the ruptured lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion, simulation of the fact that intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus is in sufficient contact with the blood supply after the posterior longitudinal ligament rupture is a breakthrough point, through a method of artificially exsecting the exposed nucleus pulposus of the cartilage endplates, the condition for exposing the nucleus pulposus tissue in blood circulation and body immunity systems is created, and the animal model which can promote reabsorption of the protruding intervertebral discs is built.