Flexible spine stabilization systems

Abstract

A spine stabilization system includes a flexible member attachable to a portion of the spinal column. The use of components resist loading applied by extension and rotation of the spine, while the flexibility of the member does not subject it to the compressive loading of the spinal column segment to which it is attached.

1 . A spinal stabilization device, comprising:
 a flexible member having opposite ends spaced from one another along an axis with a length along said axis sized for attachment between at least a first and a second vertebrae, said flexible member including a plurality of interwoven components, said flexible member further including at least one grommet positioned adjacent each of said opposite ends, said at least one grommet defining a hole for receiving a fastener to secure said flexible member to an underlying one of the first and second vertebrae.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said number of interwoven components are arranged so that no apertures are formed between said components. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said number of interwoven components of said flexible member include:
 a number of vertically oriented components generally paralleling said axis; and   a number of horizontally oriented components extending transversely to said vertically oriented components.   
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said number of interwoven components of said flexible member include:
 a number of first and second diagonal components extending transversely to one another, said first and second diagonal components extending in an oblique orientation to said axis and in an oblique orientation to said number of vertically oriented components and in an oblique orientation to said number of horizontally oriented components.   
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said vertically and horizontally oriented components are interwoven with one another and said diagonally oriented components are interwoven with one another. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said vertically, horizontally and diagonally oriented components are interwoven with one another. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible member comprises at least one layer including a number of square shaped apertures, said square shaped apertures extending through said first layer with a first pair of sides generally paralleling said axis and a second pair of side generally orthogonally oriented to said axis. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said flexible member further comprises a second layer including a number of diamond shaped apertures extending through said second layer with sides of said diamond shaped apertures obliquely oriented to said axis. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one grommet adjacent each of said opposite ends secure said layers to one another. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said components of said flexible member are comprised of a soft fiber material. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said opposite ends define horizontal edges of said flexible member and said flexible member further includes opposite vertical edges extending between said horizontal edges, said flexible member including a corner where each of said vertical edges joins a respective one of said horizontal edges, said flexible member including at least one grommet adjacent each of said corners, each of said at least one grommets defining a hole to receive a fastener through said flexible member to secure said flexible member to an underlying one of the first and second vertebrae. 
   
   
       12 . A spinal stabilization device, comprising:
 a flexible member including opposite ends spaced from one another along an axis with a length along said axis sized for attachment between at least a first and a second vertebrae, said flexible member comprising at least one layer of interwoven components, wherein said interwoven components are arranged to provide a substantially solid wall between said opposite ends.   
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said flexible member comprises a plurality of vertical components extending along said axis and a plurality of horizontal components that are generally orthogonally oriented to said axis and said vertical components. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said flexible member further comprises a plurality of diagonal components obliquely oriented to said axis and transversely oriented to each of said vertically and horizontally oriented components. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one grommet positioned adjacent each of said opposite ends, said grommets each defining a hole through said at least one layer for receiving a fastener to secure said flexible member to an underlying one of the first and second vertebrae. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said flexible member is comprised of a soft fiber material. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said opposite ends define horizontal edges of said flexible member and said flexible member further includes opposite vertical edges extending between said horizontal edges, said flexible member including a corner where each of said vertical edges joins a respective one of said horizontal edges, said flexible member including at least one grommet adjacent each of said corners, each of said at least one grommets defining a hole to receive a fastener through said flexible member to secure said flexible member to an underlying one of the first and second vertebrae. 
   
   
       18 . A spinal stabilization device, comprising:
 a flexible member having opposite ends spaced from one another along an axis with a length along said axis sized for attachment between at least a first and a second vertebrae, said flexible member including a number of interwoven components that form a substantially solid wall between said opposite ends, said flexible member further including at least one grommet positioned adjacent each of said opposite ends, said a least one grommet defining a hole for receiving a fastener to secure said flexible member to an underlying one of the first and second vertebrae.   
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said interwoven components are arranged so that said interwoven components form no apertures through said flexible member. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said flexible member comprises a plurality of vertical components extending along said axis and a plurality of horizontal components that are generally orthogonally oriented to said axis and to said vertical components.