Spinal alignment system and related methods

Abstract

A spinal alignment system is disclosed and includes vertebral connectors, elongated elements that link the vertebral connectors, and fasteners that lock the elongated elements in position. An elongated element has at least one shaped end that is received by a coupling member of the connector. The shaped end permits the elongated element to be angularly moveable with respect to the coupling member until locked in place with a fastener received in the coupling member. The elongated element also preferably includes a length adjustment mechanism, such as a telescoping or threaded section to provide a desired length in conjunction with a desired degree of alignment. Various coupling mechanisms are disclosed to provide multiple degrees of freedom prior to fixation.

1 . A system for fixing relative to each other the position of a first spinal vertebra and a second spinal vertebra, comprising: 
 a rigid elongated element having a shaped end and a rod segment, said elongated element dimensioned to span between a first vertebra and a second vertebra and said rod segment including a first rod portion adjacent to said shaped end and a second rod portion located a distance from said shaped end;    a first connector anchorable to said first vertebra and having a receiver portion, said receiver portion including a peripheral body formed about a space for receiving said shaped end of said elongated element and a surface within said space, said surface being complementary to said shaped end, and said peripheral body having at least one trough for passage of said first rod portion when said shaped end is received within said space and inner threading for complementary engagement with external threading on a first fastener for locking said shaped end within said space;    a second connector anchorable to said second vertebra and having a receiver portion configured to receive said second rod portion and engage a second fastener for locking said second rod portion to said second connector.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said shaped end is at least partially spherical.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said surface of said receiver portion is at least partially spherical.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said surface of said receiver portion and said shaped end form a ball-and-socket.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one trough has a curved surface.  
   
   
       6 . The spinal alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second vertebrae are at adjacent vertebral levels within the spine.  
   
   
       7 . The spinal alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second vertebrae are not at adjacent vertebral levels within the spine.  
   
   
       8 . The spinal alignment system of  claim 7 , further including a third connector anchorable to a third vertebra located between said first vertebra and said second vertebra, said connector having a receiver portion configured to receive a third rod portion located between said first rod portion and said second rod portion and to engage a third fastener for locking said third rod portion to said third connector.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second elongated element dimensioned to span between said first vertebra and said second vertebra on the opposite side of said first and second vertebra from said first elongated element; and    a second pair of a connectors anchorable into said first and second vertebrae, and receiver portions configured to receive said second elongated element    
   
   
       10 . The spinal alignment system of  claim 9 , wherein said first elongated element and said second elongated element are connected by a transverse connector.  
   
   
       11 . The spinal alignment system of  claim 10 , wherein said second elongated element is one of generally parallel and not generally parallel to said first elongated element.