Longitudinal member for use in spinal or trauma surgery and stabilization device with such a longitudinal member

Abstract

A longitudinal member for use in spinal or trauma surgery is provided which is sized to span a distance between at least two vertebrae or two bone parts, wherein the longitudinal member is made at least partially of a polymer material, such as an elastomer, which is extruded. The polymer chains of the longitudinal member are substantially aligned in the longitudinal direction of the member. The longitudinal member is included in a dynamic stabilization device having at least two bone anchoring elements and such a longitudinal member connecting the bone anchoring elements.

1 . A longitudinal member for use in spinal or trauma surgery which is sized to span a distance between at least two vertebrae or two bone parts, the longitudinal member exhibiting bending and axial elasticity, wherein the longitudinal member is made of an elastomer material having generally longitudinal extending fibers and uniform cross-section. 
     
     
         2 . The longitudinal member of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal member is manufactured by extrusion. 
     
     
         3 . The longitudinal member of  claim 1 , wherein polymer chains of the elastomer material are substantially aligned in a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal member. 
     
     
         4 . The longitudinal member of  claim 1 , wherein said elastomer material comprises a polymer on the basis of any one of polyurethane, polycarbonate-urethane and silicone. 
     
     
         5 . The longitudinal member of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal member is a rod. 
     
     
         6 . The longitudinal member of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-section is substantially circular. 
     
     
         7 . The longitudinal member of  claim 1 , wherein the whole length of the longitudinal member is made of said elastomer material. 
     
     
         8 . A stabilization device for stabilizing vertebrae or bone parts, comprising:
 a longitudinal member comprising generally longitudinal extending fibers and having a uniform cross-section, the longitudinal member having bending and axial elasticity; and   at least two bone anchoring elements, each anchoring element having a shaft for anchoring in the bone and a receiving part for connection with the longitudinal member.   
     
     
         9 . The stabilization device of  claim 8 , wherein the receiving part comprises a recess for receiving the longitudinal member, the cross-section of the part of the recess receiving the longitudinal member being different from the cross section of the longitudinal member. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a longitudinal member for use in spinal or trauma surgery, the method comprising:
 extruding at least one biocompatible polymer material to form an extruded member having a uniform cross-section;   wherein the extruded member comprises generally longitudinal extending fibers; and   wherein the extruded member comprises bending and axial elasticity.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the biocompatible polymer material is a polymer on the basis of any one of polyurethane, polycarbonateurethane and silicone. 
     
     
         12 . A method of using a stabilization device for vertebrae or bone parts, the method comprising:
 attaching a first bone anchoring element to a first bone part or vertebrae;   attaching a second bone anchoring element to a second bone part or vertebrae;   attaching a longitudinal member to the first bone anchoring element, the longitudinal member comprising generally longitudinal extending fibers and having a uniform cross-section, the longitudinal member having bending and axial elasticity; and   attaching the longitudinal member to the second bone anchoring element.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein any one of attaching the longitudinal member to the first bone anchoring element and attaching the longitudinal member to the second bone anchoring element comprises:
 inserting an end portion of the longitudinal member in a recess of a receiving part coupled to any one of the first bone anchoring element and the second bone anchoring element; and   securing the first end portion of the longitudinal member in the recess.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a cross-sectional shape of the recess is different from the cross-section of the longitudinal member.