Elongated stabilization member and bone anchor useful in bone and especially spinal repair processes

Abstract

A bone interface anchor for use with an elongated stabilization member, the anchor having: a receptor having a retaining device for receiving the elongated stabilization member; a compression assembly for securing the elongated stabilization member within the receptor; bone fixation screws which secure the anchors relative to bone segments of the human spine, the receptor having a surface forming a mating cooperation with the screw such that the receptor can be variably positioned relative to the screw, a lock member to fix the screw relative to the receptor, and the retaining device having a retaining member between the elongated stabilization member and the interior of the receptor.

1 . A bone interface anchor for use with an elongated stabilization member said anchor comprising:
 a receptor having retaining means for receiving said elongated stabilization member,   a compression assembly for securing said elongated stabilization member within said receptor,   bone fixation screws which secure said anchors relative to bone segments of the human spine,   said receptor having a surface forming a mating cooperation with said screw such that said receptor can be variably positioned relative to said screw,   lock means to fix said screw relative to said receptor, and   said retaining means having a retaining member between said elongated stabilization member and the interior of said receptor.   
     
     
         2 . The bone interface anchor of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated stabilization member has a uniform cross-section throughout its length, and
 said elongated stabilization member having first and second segments each of which as a different modulus of elasticity.   
     
     
         3 . The bone interface anchor of  claim 2 , wherein said elongated stabilization member is comprised of plastic with carbon fibers disposed therein and said first and second segments have different direction or densities of fiber to provide said different moduli of elasticity. 
     
     
         4 . The bone interface anchor of  claim 2 , wherein the ratio density of fiber to plastic varies along the length of the elongated stabilization member. 
     
     
         5 . The bone interface anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining member is a crown member. 
     
     
         6 . An elongated stabilization member useful in bone and especially spinal repair processes comprising:
 a composite rod having a uniform cross-section essentially throughout its length and   said rod having at least first and second segments each of which has a different modulus of elasticity.   
     
     
         7 . The composite rod of  claim 6 , wherein said rod is comprised of plastic with carbon fibers disposed therein and said first and second segments have different orientation of fiber to provide said different moduli of elasticity. 
     
     
         8 . The composite rod of  claim 6 , wherein the ratio direction of fiber to plastic varies along the rod length. 
     
     
         9 . The composite rod of  claim 6 , wherein said plastic and fibers of said rod will not block imaging rays. 
     
     
         10 . The composite rod of  claim 6 , wherein said rod is comprised with carbon fibers disposed therein and said first and second segments have different densities of fibers to provide said different moduli of elasticity. 
     
     
         11 . The rod of  claim 6 , wherein said rod comprises carbon fibers disposed therein and said first and second segments have fibers of different lengths to provide said different moduli of elasticity. 
     
     
         12 . The rod of  claim 6 , wherein the plastic and fibers of said rod an said anchor will not block imaging rays. 
     
     
         13 . An elongate rod for location approximately parallel to and adjacent to a spine,
 said rod having a uniform cross-section throughout its length and is comprised of fiber reinforced plastic, and   said rod having moduli of elasticity along its length corresponding to, but less than, the moduli of elasticity of the spine segments closest to said rod segments.   
     
     
         14 . A device for treating a human spine having a series of bone segments comprising:
 an elongated stabilization member,   first and second anchors each according to  claim 1  adapted to be secured to said elongated stabilization member in spaced relationship to one another, and   each of said anchors including a screw which is adapted to secure said anchors to spaced spinal bone segments.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein each of said anchors has a bottom surface facing a spinal bone segment,
 means to slidably receive said screw in said anchors, and   lock means to affix said anchors to said elongated stabilization member.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said anchors, said screws and said lock means are made of a carbon reinforced plastic that will not block imaging rays and facilitate radiation treatment. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein first and second anchors of composite material are adapted to be secured to said elongated stabilization member in spaced relationship to one another and each of said anchors includes a screw adapted to secure said anchors to spaced bone segments of the spine. 
     
     
         18 . A device for treating a human spine having a series of bone segments comprising:
 an elongated stabilization member,   first and second anchors each according to  claim 2  adapted to be secured to said elongated stabilization member in spaced relationship to one another, and   each of said anchors including a screw which is adapted to secure said anchors to spaced spinal bone segments.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein each of said anchors has a bottom surface facing a spinal bone segment,
 means to slidably receive said screw in said anchors, and   lock means to affix said anchors to said elongated stabilization member.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said anchors, said screws and said lock means are made of a carbon reinforced plastic that will not block imaging rays and facilitate radiation treatment. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein first and second anchors of composite material are adapted to be secured to said elongated stabilization member in spaced relationship to one another and each of said anchors includes a screw adapted to secure said anchors to spaced bone segments of the spine. 
     
     
         22 . A device for treating a human spine having a series of bone segments comprising:
 an elongated stabilization member,   first and second anchors each according to  claim 3  adapted to be secured to said elongated stabilization member in spaced relationship to one another, and   each of said anchors including a screw which is adapted to secure said anchors to spaced spinal bone segments.   
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein each of said anchors has a bottom surface facing a spinal bone segment,
 means to slidably receive said screw in said anchors, and   lock means to affix said anchors to said elongated stabilization member.   
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein said anchors, said screws and said lock means are made of a carbon reinforced plastic that will not block imaging rays and facilitate radiation treatment. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein first and second anchors of composite material are adapted to be secured to said elongated stabilization member in spaced relationship to one another and each of said anchors includes a screw adapted to secure said anchors to spaced bone segments of the spine. 
     
     
         26 . A device for treating a human spine having a series of bone segments comprising:
 an elongated stabilization member,   first and second anchors each according to  claim 4  adapted to be secured to said elongated stabilization member in spaced relationship to one another, and   each of said anchors including a screw which is adapted to secure said anchors to spaced spinal bone segments.   
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein each of said anchors has a bottom surface facing a spinal bone segment,
 means to slidably receive said screw in said anchors, and   lock means to affix said anchors to said elongated stabilization member.   
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein said anchors, said screws and said lock means are made of a carbon reinforced plastic that will not block imaging rays and facilitate radiation treatment. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein first and second anchors of composite material are adapted to be secured to said elongated stabilization member in spaced relationship to one another and each of said anchors includes a screw adapted to secure said anchors to spaced bone segments of the spine. 
     
     
         30 . A device for treating a human spine having a series of bone segments comprising:
 an elongated stabilization member;   first and second anchors each according to  claim 1  adapted to be secured to said elongated stabilization member in spaced relationship to one another,   each of said anchors including a screw which is adapted to secure said anchors to spaced spinal bone segments,   each of said anchors having a bottom surface facing a spinal bone segment,   means securing said screws to said anchors such that said screws can be variably positioned relative to said anchors, and   lock means to fix said anchors to said elongated stabilization members after positioning.   
     
     
         31 . A device for treating a human spine having a series of bone segments comprising:
 an elongated stabilization member;   first and second anchors each according to  claim 2  adapted to be secured to said elongated stabilization member in spaced relationship to one another,   each of said anchors including a screw which is adapted to secure said anchors to spaced spinal bone segments,   each of said anchors having a bottom surface facing a spinal bone segment,   means securing said screws to said anchors such that said screws can be variably positioned relative to said anchors, and   lock means to fix said anchors to said elongated stabilization members after positioning.   
     
     
         32 . A device for treating a human spine having a series of bone segments comprising:
 an elongated stabilization member;   first and second anchors each according to  claim 3  adapted to be secured to said elongated stabilization member in spaced relationship to one another,   each of said anchors including a screw which is adapted to secure said anchors to spaced spinal bone segments,   each of said anchors having a bottom surface facing a spinal bone segment,   means securing said screws to said anchors such that said screws can be variably positioned relative to said anchors, and   lock means to fix said anchors to said elongated stabilization members after positioning.   
     
     
         33 . A device for treating a human spine having a series of bone segments comprising:
 an elongated stabilization member;   first and second anchors each according to  claim 4  adapted to be secured to said elongated stabilization member in spaced relationship to one another,   each of said anchors including a screw which is adapted to secure said anchors to spaced spinal bone segments,   each of said anchors having a bottom surface facing a spinal bone segment,   means securing said screws to said anchors such that said screws can be variably positioned relative to said anchors, and   lock means to fix said anchors to said elongated stabilization members after positioning.   
     
     
         34 . An assembly for the stabilization of one or more spinal bone segments, comprising:
 first and second anchors,   an elongated stabilization member,   first and second screws each having enlarged heads received respectively by said first and second screws and said anchors and which secure said anchors to a spinal bone segment,   said anchors having cylindrical side walls with a reduced bottom opening of lesser diameter than said heads which retain said heads in a manner providing limited universal movement of said screws with respect to said anchors,   said anchors each having a reception channel to receive said elongated stabilization member,   a retaining member disposed between said heads and said elongated stabilization member,   said retaining members each having a grove formed therein to receive said elongated stabilization member and space said elongated stabilization member from said heads, and   means to compress said elongated stabilization member against said retaining members and said retaining members against said heads to fix their relationship to one another after the angular disposition of said screws have been selected.   
     
     
         35 . The assembly of  claim 34 , wherein said elongated stabilization member is comprised of plastic with carbon reinforcing fibers disposed therein, the density of said fibers providing selected moduli of elasticity throughout the length by varying fiber density. 
     
     
         36 . The assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the components of said anchors are of reinforced plastic that will not block imaging rays. 
     
     
         37 . The assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the elongated stabilization member contains fibers directed to prevent deformation of the elongated stabilization member due to the pressure of the anchor. 
     
     
         38 . A rod useful in bone and especially spinal repair processes, made of plastic with fibers disposed therein, wherein at least a part of the fibers are directed to prevent expansion of the rod with respect to its cross-section.