Implantable bone plate system and related method for spinal repair

Abstract

A system for performing surgical repair of the spine includes a distractor and a permanently implanted bone plate system. A surgical repair methodology is also disclosed that employs an implanted bone plate system with a substantially void internal volume which is attached to adjacent vertebrae subsequent to the distraction and/or adjustment of curvature of the vertebrae and prior to the excision of disc and/or end plate tissue through the bone plate. The device further facilitates the subsequent delivery of an interbody repair device for the purpose of either fusion or dynamic stabilization, such as by disc arthroplasty. The plate may be permanently implanted, such as when a fusion between the attached vertebral bodies is desired, but it need not be permanently implanted.

1 . A system for establishing and securing adjacent vertebrae in a defined spacial relationship prior to the excision and repair of damaged tissue, said system comprising:
 at least one distraction device configured for temporary placement between adjacent vertebrae and engaging upon opposing inferior and superior end plate surfaces of the adjacent vertebral bodies for achieving a desired spatial relationship between the vertebrae;   at least one implantable vertebral frame configured to span between the adjacent vertebrae, the frame being configured to attach to each of the adjacent vertebra while the distraction device is in place to postoperatively maintain the desired spatial relationship between the vertebrae after the distraction device is removed, the frame having at least one internal operating aperture there-through for providing access to at least one intervertebral disk space, the aperture sized to fit over the distraction device;   at least one interbody repair implant sized in relationship to the aperture of the frame to fit there-through and into the intervertebral space to compressively engage opposing inferior and superior surfaces of the adjacent vertebral bodies as the implant is being inserted; and   at least one retention member attachable to the frame to cover at least a portion of the aperture.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said frame is configured to span between and remain postoperatively attached to at least three adjacent vertebrae. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said frame comprises external walls having integrally manufactured retractor blade engaging features. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said frame has a plurality of through holes to facilitate attachment of said frame to adjacent vertebrae by means of bone screws. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said frame has a plurality of protrusions thereon to facilitate attachment of said frame to the adjacent vertebrae by means of impingement into the bone tissue of the adjacent vertebrae. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said frame has one or more receiving elements to accept a locking member for securing the retention member. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said locking member is a threaded screw device. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the locking member is a snap lock device. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the locking member is a cam lock device. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more receiving elements for the retention member accommodate the temporary location of at least one tissue retractor pin. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said retention member is configured to retain the interbody implant in its surgically established position. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the frame is configured to receive bone screws there-through to attach the frame to the vertebrae, the retention member adapted to cover the bone screws when the member is attached to the frame to prevent back-out of said screws. 
   
   
       13 . A method for applying the system in  claim 1 , wherein the adjacent vertebrae are distracted and spacially oriented with the distraction device, the vertebral frame is secured to the adjacent vertebrae, the damaged tissue is excised through the operating aperture in the vertebral frame, the vertebral interspace is prepared to receive the repair implant, said implant being placed through the operating aperture into said prepared interspace, and the retention member is then installed onto the vertebral frame. 
   
   
       14 . A method for applying the system in  claim 1 , wherein the vertebral frame is attached to one or more vertebrae, the vertebrae are then distracted and spacially oriented by operating through the operating aperture in the vertebral frame, the vertebral frame is secured to each adjacent vertebrae, the damaged tissue is excised through the operating aperture in the vertebral frame, the vertebral interspace is prepared through the operating aperture to receive the repair implant, said interbody implant is inserted through the operating aperture into the prepared interspace and the retention member is installed onto the vertebral frame. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the holes are a combination of elongated slots and circular holes to accommodate the insertion of bone screws there-through into vertebral bone tissue.