286 results about "Sacrum" patented technology

A bone fixing device, in particular for fixing to the sacrum for osteosynthesis of the backbone, comprises elongate link means receiving at least one bone-fastening screw, which passes through an orifice formed in the link means. In the bottom of the link means there is included a bearing surface of essentially circular cross-section. The head of the screw includes an essentially spherical surface for bearing against said bearing surface. The link means include a first thread in the vicinity of said orifice. The device further includes a plug having a second thread suitable for co-operating with the first thread, the plug being suitable for coming into clamping contact against said screw head to hold it in a desired angular position. According to the invention, the link means are constituted by a single-piece plate-shaped element having the orifice and the first thread formed therein, and said bearing surface is essentially spherical.

Methods and apparatus for forming one or more trans-sacral axial instrumentation / fusion (TASIF) axial bore through vertebral bodies in general alignment with a visualized, anterior or posterior axial instrumentation / fusion line (AAIFL or PAIFL) in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner and providing a therapy to the spine employing the axial bore. Anterior or posterior starting positions aligned with the AAIFL or PAIFL are accessed through respective anterior and posterior tracts. Curved or relatively straight anterior and curved posterior TASIF axial bores are formed from the anterior and posterior starting positions. The therapies performed through the TASIF axial bores include discoscopy, full and partial discectomy, vertebroplasty, balloon-assisted vertebroplasty, drug delivery, electrical stimulation and various forms of spinal disc cavity augmentation, spinal disc replacement, fusion of spinal motion segments and implantation of radioactive seeds. Axial spinal implants and bone growth materials can be placed into single or multiple parallel or diverging TASIF axial bores to fuse two or more vertebrae, or distract or shock absorb two or more vertebrae.

Methods and apparatus for implanting a stimulation lead in a patient's sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy that can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve comprises a needle and a dilator and optionally includes a guide wire. The needle is adapted to be inserted posterior to the sacrum through an entry point and guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. In one variation, a guide wire is inserted through a needle lumen, and the needle is withdrawn. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator inserted over the needle or over the guide wire to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead, and the needle or guide wire is removed from the insertion path. The dilator optionally includes a dilator body and a dilator sheath fitted over the dilator body. The stimulation lead is inserted to the desired location through the dilator body lumen or the dilator sheath lumen after removal of the dilator body, and the dilator sheath or body is removed from the insertion path. If the clinician desires to separately anchor the stimulation lead, an incision is created through the entry point from an epidermis to a fascia layer, and the stimulation lead is anchored to the fascia layer. The stimulation lead can be connected to the neurostimulator to delivery therapies to treat pelvic floor disorders such as urinary control disorders, fecal control disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain.

An implantable article and method are disclosed for treating pelvic floor disorders such as vaginal vault prolase. A surgical kit useful for performing a surgical procedure such as a sacral colpopexy is also described.

One or more curved axial bore is formed commencing from an anterior or posterior sacral target point and cephalad through vertebral bodies in general alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral axial instrumentation / fusion (TASIF) line in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner. An anterior axial instrumentation / fusion line (AAIFL) or a posterior axial instrumentation / fusion line (PAIFL) that extends from the anterior or posterior target point, respectively, in the cephalad direction following the spinal curvature through one or more vertebral body is visualized by radiographic or fluoroscopic equipment. Generally curved anterior or posterior TASIF axial bores are formed in axial or parallel or diverging alignment with the visualized AAIFL or PAIFL, respectively. The anterior and posterior TASIF axial bore forming tools can be manipulated from proximal portions thereof to adjust the curvature of the anterior or posterior TASIF axial bores as they are formed in the cephalad direction. The boring angle of the distally disposed boring member or drill bit can be adjusted such that selected sections of the generally curved anterior or posterior TASIF axial bores can be made straight or relatively straight, and other sections thereof can be made curved to optimally traverse vertebral bodies and intervening disc, if present.

Methods and devices are provided for connecting a spinal fixation construct to the spine, and preferably to the ilium and / or sacrum. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal connector is provided having an elongate configuration with opposed thru-bores formed therein. Each thru-bore can be configured to receive a bone screw for attaching the spinal connector to bone. The spinal connector can also include a receiving portion formed thereon or removably mated thereto for mating a spinal fixation element, such as a spinal rod, to the spinal connector. In certain exemplary embodiments, the receiving portion can be positioned between the opposed thru-bores. In use, the spinal connector can be implanted in the sacrum and / or ilium and it can receive a laterally or horizontally extending spinal fixation element therethrough. The lateral spinal fixation element can mate to a longitudinal spinal fixation element which is mated to one or more vertebrae in a patient's spine, thereby anchoring a construct to the sacrum and / or ilium.

Methods and apparatus for providing percutaneous access to vertebrae in alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral axial instrumentation / fusion (TASIF) line in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner are disclosed. A number of related TASIF methods and surgical tool sets are provided by the present invention that are employed to form a percutaneous pathway from an anterior or posterior skin incision to a respective anterior or posterior target point of a sacral surface. The percutaneous pathway is generally axially aligned with an anterior or posterior axial instrumentation / fusion line extending from the respective anterior or posterior target point through at least one sacral vertebral body and one or more lumbar vertebral bodies in the cephalad direction. The provision of the percutaneous pathway described herein allows for the formation of the anterior or posterior TASIF bore(s) and / or the introduction of spinal implants and instruments.

Methods and apparatus for forming one or more trans-sacral axial instrumentation / fusion (TASIF) axial bore through vertebral bodies in general alignment with a visualized, anterior or posterior axial instrumentation / fusion line (AAIFL or PAIFL) in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner and providing a therapy to the spine employing the axial bore. Anterior or posterior starting positions aligned with the AAIFL or PAIFL are accessed through respective anterior and posterior tracts. Curved or relatively straight anterior and curved posterior TASIF axial bores are formed from the anterior and posterior starting positions. The therapies performed through the TASIF axial bores include discoscopy, full and partial discectomy, vertebroplasty, balloon-assisted vertebroplasty, drug delivery, electrical stimulation and various forms of spinal disc cavity augmentation, spinal disc replacement, fusion of spinal motion segments and implantation of radioactive seeds. Axial spinal implants and bone growth materials can be placed into single or multiple parallel or diverging TASIF axial bores to fuse two or more vertebrae, or distract or shock absorb two or more vertebrae.

An implantable article and method are disclosed for treating pelvic floor disorders such as vaginal vault prolase. A surgical kit useful for performing a surgical procedure such as a sacral colpopexy is also described.

Methods and apparatus for and performing a partial or complete discectomy of an intervertebral spinal disc accessed by one or more trans-sacral axial spinal instrumentation / fusion (TASIF) axial bore formed through vertebral bodies in general alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral anterior or posterior axial instrumentation / fusion line (AAIFL or PAIFL) line. A discectomy instrument is introduced through the axial bore, the axial disc opening, and into the nucleus to locate a discectomy instrument cutting head at the distal end of the discectomy instrument shaft within the nucleus. The cutting head is operated by operating means coupled to the instrument body proximal end for extending the cutting head laterally away from the disc opening within the nucleus of the intervertebral spinal disc and for operating the cutting head to form a disc cavity within the annulus extending laterally and away from the disc opening or a disc space wherein the disc cavity extends through at least a portion of the annulus. A discectomy sheath that is first introduced to extend from the skin incision through the axial bore and into the axial disc opening having a discectomy sheath lumen that the discectomy instrument is introduced through. The discectomy sheath is preferably employed for irrigation and aspiration of the disc cavity or just aspiration if irrigation fluids are introduced through a discectomy instrument shaft lumen. The cutting head of the discectomy tool is deflected from the sheath lumen laterally and radially toward the annulus using a deflecting catheter or pull wire.

Implantable devices and methods for correcting spinal deformities or degeneration are disclosed. The devices and methods have particular application in the spinopelvic region and on the sacrum or ilium. In one embodiment, a cross connector is provided and can include a cross member with a connector head slidably disposed thereon. The cross member can be adapted for attachment to one or more anchoring elements, and the sliding connector head can include a first receiving portion defined by an opening through the connector head for receiving the cross member, and a second receiving portion defined by a recess between first and second opposed arms for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a spinal rod. A guide channel can optionally be provided on the cross member for guiding the movement of the sliding connector head. In other embodiments, the device can include a locking mechanism for locking a spinal fixation element within the connector head, and for securing the connector head in place on the cross member.

Methods and apparatus for and performing a partial or complete discectomy of an intervertebral spinal disc accessed by one or more trans-sacral axial spinal instrumentation / fusion (TASIF) axial bore formed through vertebral bodies in general alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral anterior or posterior axial instrumentation / fusion line (AAIFL or PAIFL) line. A discectomy instrument is introduced through the axial bore, the axial disc opening, and into the nucleus to locate a discectomy instrument cutting head at the distal end of the discectomy instrument shaft within the nucleus. The cutting head is operated by operating means coupled to the instrument body proximal end for extending the cutting head laterally away from the disc opening within the nucleus of the intervertebral spinal disc and for operating the cutting head to form a disc cavity within the annulus extending laterally and away from the disc opening or a disc space wherein the disc cavity extends through at least a portion of the annulus. A discectomy sheath that is first introduced to extend from the skin incision through the axial bore and into the axial disc opening having a discectomy sheath lumen that the discectomy instrument is introduced through. The discectomy sheath is preferably employed for irrigation and aspiration of the disc cavity or just aspiration if irrigation fluids are introduced through a discectomy instrument shaft lumen. The cutting head of the discectomy tool is deflected from the sheath lumen laterally and radially toward the annulus using a deflecting catheter or pull wire.

Spinal implants for limiting flexion of the spine are implanted between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process or sacrum. The implants include upper straps which are placed over the upper spinous process, while the lower portions of the implant are attached to the adjacent vertebra or sacrum. The attachments may be fixed, for example using screws or other anchors, or may be non-fixed, for example by placing a loop strap through a hole in the spinous process or sacrum.

Method embodiments to implant a stimulation lead in a patient's sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A method embodiment begins by inserting a needle posterior to the sacrum through an entry point. The needle is guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead. The needle is removed from the insertion path. The stimulation lead is inserted to the desired location. The dilator is removed from the insertion path. Additionally if the clinician desires to separately anchor the stimulation lead, an incision is created through the entry point from an epidermis to a fascia layer. The stimulation lead is anchored to the fascia layer. After the stimulation lead has been anchored, the incision can be closed, or the stimulation lead proximal end can be tunneled to where an implantable neurostimulator is located and then the incision can be closed. A implanted sacral stimulation lead can be connected to the neurostimulator to delivery therapies to treat pelvic floor disorders such as urinary control disorders, fecal control disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain.

A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead is especially adapted for providing treatment to the spine and nervous system. The stimulation lead includes electrodes that may be selectively positioned along various portions of the stimulation lead in order to precisely direct electrical energy to ablate or electrically stimulate the target tissue. The invention also includes a method of activating electrodes in the electrical stimulation lead whereby an ablative lesion can be formed in a desired shape and size. The invention further includes a method of managing pain in a sacrum of a patient, and a method of assembling an electrical stimulation device.

Spinal implants for fusing and / or stabilizing spinal vertebrae and methods and apparatus for implanting one or more of such spinal implants axially within one or more axial bore within vertebral bodies in alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral axial instrumentation / fusion (TASIF) line in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner are disclosed. Attachment mechanisms are provided that attach or affix or force the preformed spinal implants or rods to or against the vertebral bone along the full length of a TASIF axial bore or bores or pilot holes or at the cephalad end and / or caudal end of the TASIF axial bore or bores or pilot holes. The engagement of the vertebral body is either an active engagement upon implantation of the spinal implant into the TASIF axial bore or a passive engagement of the external surface configuration with the vertebral bone caused by bone growth about the external surface configuration. A plurality of such spinal implants can be inserted axially in the same TASIF axial bore or pilot hole or separately in a plurality of TASIF axial bores or pilot holes that extend axially and in a side-by-side relation through the vertebrae and discs, if present, between the vertebrae. Discectomies and / or vertebroblasty can be performed through the TASIF axial bore or bores or pilot holes prior to insertion of the spinal implants. Vertebroblasty is a procedure for augmentation of collapsed vertebral bodies by pumped-in materials, e.g., bone cement or bone growth materials. Materials or devices can also be delivered into the disc space to separate the adjoining vertebrae and / or into damaged vertebral bodies or to strengthen them.

An orthopedic anchoring system for attaching a spinal stabilization system and concomitantly fusing a sacroiliac joint is disclosed that includes a delivery tool and an implant assembly for insertion into a joint space of a sacroiliac joint. The implant assembly may be secured using anchors inserted through bores within the implant body and into the underlying sacrum and / or ilium. The implant body may also include an attachment fitting reversibly attached to a guide to provide attachment fittings for elements of the spinal stabilization system. The implant assembly may be releasably coupled to an implant arm of the delivery tool such that the implant arm is substantially aligned with the insertion element of the implant assembly. An anchor arm used to insert the anchor may be coupled to the implant arm in a fixed and nonadjustable arrangement such that the anchor is generally aligned with a bore within the implant assembly.

Reduced pressure wound therapy is performed on a sacral region of a patient using an adhesive dressing comprising a flexible planar layer and a non-planar fold-sealing region configured to seal to the intergluteal cleft of a patient. The fold-sealing region is located on an outer edge of the adhesive dressing and comprises a tapered configuration.

Devices and methods for performing a procedure within a sacrum are disclosed herein. In one variation, a method includes imaging a spine with a fluoroscopy device to provide a view of the sacrum. An anatomical landmark is identified based on the imaging, and a breach zone is defined based on the imaging. The anatomical landmark is used to identify an entry point and guide a medical device in a medial-to-lateral approach into a sacral ala region of the sacrum to perform a medical procedure within the sacral ala. In some embodiments, the anatomical landmark can be, for example, a pedicle, and in some embodiments, the anatomical landmark can be, for example, a V notch. In some embodiments, an entry point is identified using two anatomical landmarks. For example, the anatomical landmarks can be an S1 foramen of the side being accessed and a sacroiliac joint.

The present invention relates to a wound dressing and in particular a wound dressing for application to the sacrum of a patient. The wound dressing is an absorbent pad having one or more lines about which the dressing can fold.

The present invention relates generally to tools, tool kits and methods useful for treating an SI joint. In one embodiment, the present invention is a. In one embodiment, the present invention is a method including the steps of: implanting a graft into a SI joint of a patient, wherein the implanting comprises: creating an incision in the patient's skin proximal to the patient's SI joint; dilating the incision; creating a void in the SI joint, wherein the creating comprises displacing a portion of the patient's ilium and a portion of the patient's sacrum; and inserting a graft into the void in the SI joint, wherein the graft contacts the patient's iluim and the patient's sacrum and wherein the graft is configured to substantially fuse the patient's ilium to the patient's sacrum, thereby substantially immobilizing the patient's SI joint.

Pedicle and non-pedicle based interspinous and lateral spacers have an upper surface configured for engagement with an inferior surface of a fifth lumbar vertebral body, and a lower surface configured for engagement with an outer surface of a sacrum. One configuration includes a component having two opposing upper arms and two opposing lower arms. The spacer component has two ends and a central section, each end of the spacer component being configured for attachment to a respective one of the two opposing upper arms, and the central section of the spacer has a height configured for placement between a spinous process of a fifth lumbar vertebral body and a superior surface of an uppermost spinous process of a sacrum. The ends of the spacer component may be attached to the upper arms using pedicle screws, or may use snap-and-lock or other connectors. The two lower arms may either engage directly with the outer surface of a sacrum on either side of a medial ridge, or may interconnect with a separate component also having two lower arms that engage with the outer surface of a sacrum on either side of a medial ridge. Such arms are preferably bent outwardly and include inward serrations to engage with the outer surface of a sacrum on either side of a medial ridge. Other configurations include a spacer component that engages with a sacral notch.

A garment comprising a stretch fabric wherein the garment covers at least a part of the lower body of a wearer, has a crotch part, and is worn by being fitted to the wearer's body, wherein the garment in part has a first portion with a strong straining force; first portion with a strong straining force is a strong straining portion (A); right and left parts of the portion (A) are connected at a second position on the back side of the garment corresponding to any region from os sacrum to vertebrae lumbalis of the wearer's body; and the portion (A) covers a region extending from second position through tops of bulges of the buttocks or vicinities thereof approximately in the direction of muscle fibers of musculus gluteus maximus at right and left to at least the vicinity of trochanter major.

Systems for and methods of fusing a sacroiliac joint are provided which include an implant assembly adapted to be inserted into the joint space defined by the bones of a sacrum and an ilium, a delivery tool and means for inserting the implant assembly into the joint. The implant assembly includes a body disposed intermediate distal and proximate end portions thereof and having oppositely disposed side members adapted to expandably engage the sacroiliac joint following insertion of the assembly into the joint space. A tool is provided and provides a means for placing the implant assembly adjacent the sacroiliac joint, inserting it into the joint space and expanding means are thereafter applied to expand the oppositely disposed side members into operative engagement with the joint.

Disclosed are embodiments of a dynamic stabilizer system for dynamically stabilizing the sacrum and at least lumbar vertebra L5. The dynamic stabilizer system may comprise two anchoring members that can be implanted at distinct locations in the sacrum, a mechanical fastener element having two ends and a flexible portion that can be securely fastened on the spinous process of a lumbar vertebra, and two distinct rods, each securing onto the anchoring members and the mechanical fastener element. In some embodiments, the dynamic stabilizer system may further comprise one or more spacers, each interposed between two spinous processes. The mechanical fastener element further comprises features for securing the one or more spacers.

A sacro-iliac implant includes a body extending from a first portion having an outer surface configured for fixation with a sacrum to a second portion having an outer surface being spaced apart and non-continuous with the outer surface of the first portion. A sleeve is disposed about the body and configured for implantation within at least an ilium. The sleeve extends from a first portion to a second portion having an inner surface and a flange disposed to engage an outer non-articular surface of the ilium. The inner surface of the second portion of the sleeve is engageable with the outer surface of the second portion of the body to cause axial translation of the body relative to the sleeve such that naturally separated articular surfaces of the sacrum and ilium are drawn into fixation to immobilize the SI joint. Methods of use are disclosed.