Implantable vertebral frame systems and related methods for spinal repair

Abstract

The invention relates generally to systems and methods for securing adjacent vertebrae in a fixed spacial relationship. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one interbody repair implant, at least one implantable vertebral frame and at least one retention member. In this embodiment, the interbody repair implant is sized to fit in an intervertebral space. The at least one implantable vertebral frame is configured to span between the adjacent vertebrae. The frame is also configured to attach to each of the adjacent vertebra to postoperatively maintain a desired spatial relationship between the vertebrae. The frame has at least one internal aperture there-through for providing visual access to at least a portion of the interbody repair implant, both intra-operatively and post-operatively. Methods of fusing two or more adjacent vertebral bodies in a portion of a spinal column are also disclosed. One such method includes the steps of inserting an interbody repair implant into a intervertebral space, securing an implantable vertebral fixation frame to the adjacent vertebral bodies over the implant, installing a retention member to the frame to cover at least a portion of the aperture, and moving a locking portion of the retention member from an unlocked position to a locked position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for securing adjacent vertebrae, the system comprising:
 at least one interbody repair implant sized to fit in an intervertebral space;   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 to postoperatively maintain a desired spatial relationship between the vertebrae, the frame having at least one internal aperture there-through for providing visual access to at least a portion of the interbody repair implant intra-operatively and post-operatively, the aperture sized to have a smaller medio-lateral width than that of the interbody repair implant; and   at least one retention member attachable to the frame to cover at least a portion of the aperture, the retention member having a locking portion movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the locking portion preventing the retention member from being separated from the frame when in the locked position.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the locking portion comprises at least one section that contacts a posterior side of the frame when the locking portion is in the locked position. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the locking portion comprises two sections that contact the posterior side of the frame on opposite sides of the aperture when the locking portion is in the locked position. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the retention member further comprises at least one screw cover portion, wherein the screw cover portion covers at least part of a screw securing the frame to one of the adjacent vertebrae, the screw cover portion preventing the screw from backing out of the vertebra. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the retention member further comprises two screw cover portions. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the retention member further comprises four screw cover portions. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the retention member further comprises a transitory locking portion having at least one resilient arm engageable with the frame for maintaining the retention member on the frame before the locking portion is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the retention member is radiolucent. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the frame is configured to span between and remain postoperatively attached to at least three adjacent vertebrae, the frame having at least two internal apertures there-through, each aperture configured to provide visual access to at least a portion of an interbody repair implant intra-operatively and post-operatively. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising two retention members attachable to the frame, each of the two retention members configured to cover at least a portion of one of the apertures, each retention member having a locking portion movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the locking portion preventing the retention member from being separated from the frame when in the locked position. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to span between and remain postoperatively attached to at least four adjacent vertebrae, the frame having at least three internal apertures there-through, each aperture configured to provide visual access to at least a portion of an interbody repair implant intra-operatively and post-operatively. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising three retention members attachable to the frame, each of the three retention members configured to cover at least a portion of one of the apertures, each retention member having a locking portion movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the locking portion preventing the retention member from being separated from the frame when in the locked position. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the retention member is configured to provide visual, tactile and audible feedback when the locking portion is moved between the unlocked position and the locked position.