Integral Spring Junction

Abstract

Spinal stabilization devices, systems and methods are provided that include a spring junction wherein a structural member is mountable to a spine attachment fastener and a resilient element is affixed to the structural member along an attachment region of the resilient element. The attachment region is disposed physically separately with respect to an active region of the resilient element. The attachment region can include a weld region produced via an E-beam welding process involving temperatures of 1000° F. or greater, wherein a heat-affected zone adjacent the weld region is disposed physically separately with respect to the active region. The resilient element may be a coil spring including bend regions adjacent its outermost (i.e., last) coils wherein the material of the coil spring initially bends away from the last coil, then bends back toward the last coil before terminating near the last coil.

1 . A spinal stabilization element, comprising:
 (a) a spring cap;   (b) an attachment member that is structurally associated with the spring cap, said attachment member being substantially transversely oriented relative to the spring cap and adapted to be mounted with respect to a first pedicle screw; and   (c) a resilient element that includes a bend termination at an end thereof,   wherein said bend termination of said resilient element and said spring cap are integrally formed.   
     
     
         2 . The spinal stabilization element according to  claim 1 , wherein said resilient element defines a central axis and wherein said attachment member is offset from said central axis. 
     
     
         3 . The spinal stabilization element according to  claim 1 , wherein said spring cap defines an interior end and an exterior end, and wherein said resilient element is flush relative to the exterior end of the spring cap. 
     
     
         4 . The spinal stabilization element according to  claim 1 , wherein said resilient element is selected from the group consisting of a coil spring, a leaf spring, a torsion spring and a torsion bar. 
     
     
         5 . The spinal stabilization element according to  claim 1 , wherein said resilient element defines a second end opposite said bend termination and a central axis, and wherein said bend termination and said second end of said resilient element are spaced from one another along said axis. 
     
     
         6 . The spinal stabilization element according to  claim 5 , wherein said resilient element is compressible and extendable along said axis. 
     
     
         7 . In combination:
 (a) a first element including:
 (i) a first spring cap; 
 (ii) an attachment member that is structurally associated with the first spring cap, said attachment member being substantially transversely oriented relative to the first spring cap and adapted to be mounted with respect to a pedicle screw; and 
 (iii) a resilient element that includes a bend termination at an end thereof, wherein said bend termination of said resilient element and said first spring cap are integrally formed; and 
   (b) a second element including a second spring cap in spaced relation relative to the bend termination of said resilient element and configured to be mounted with respect to a second pedicle screw.   
     
     
         8 . The combination according to  claim 7 , wherein said resilient element defines a central axis and wherein said attachment member of said first spring cap is offset from said central axis. 
     
     
         9 . The combination according to  claim 7 , wherein said resilient element defines a second end and said second end of said resilient element is operatively coupled to said second spring cap. 
     
     
         10 . The combination according to  claim 7 , wherein said resilient element defines an axis, said first and second ends of said resilient element are spaced from one another along said axis, and said resilient element is compressible and extendable along said axis. 
     
     
         11 . The combination according to  claim 7 , wherein said resilient element is selected from the group consisting of a coil spring, a leaf spring, a torsion spring and a torsion bar. 
     
     
         12 . A spinal stabilization system comprising:
 (a) first and second pedicle screw;   (b) a first element including:
 (i) a first spring cap; 
 (ii) an attachment member that is structurally associated with the first spring cap, said attachment member being substantially transversely oriented relative to the first spring cap and adapted to be mounted with respect to a pedicle screw; and 
 (iii) a resilient element that includes a bend termination at an end thereof, wherein said bend termination of said resilient element and said first spring cap are integrally formed; and 
   (c) a second element including a second spring cap in spaced relation relative to the bend termination of said resilient element and configured to be mounted with respect to a second pedicle screw.   
     
     
         13 . The spinal stabilization system according to  claim 12 , wherein said resilient element is selected from the group consisting of a coil spring, a leaf spring, a torsion spring and a torsion bar.