Vertebral fixation devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

Described herein is an orthopedic fixation device for use in spinal surgery. Said orthopedic device is a pivoting device that comprises one or more hinges. Fixation of multiple vertebrae is accomplished by fixation at the vertebral facet joints. Multiple device may be further fixed at multiple vertebral levels with the use of a multi-level rod.

1 . A vertebral fixation method, comprising
 coupling a first vertebral fixation device with a first superior facet of a first facet joint, wherein said first vertebral fixation device comprises a recess enclosed by a first superior wall, a first posterior wall, a first inferior wall, wherein at least a portion of said first superior facet is positioned within said recess, and wherein said first inferior wall is positioned between said first superior facet and a first inferior facet of said first facet joint.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coupling a second vertebral fixation device with a second superior facet of a second facet joint, wherein said second vertebral fixation device comprises a recess enclosed by a first superior wall, a second posterior wall, a second inferior wall, wherein at least a portion of said second superior facet is positioned within said recess, and wherein said second inferior wall is positioned between said second superior facet and a second inferior facet of said second facet joint, and fixing a horizontal rod to said first and said second vertebral fixation devices. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said horizontal rod is fixed to said first and said second vertebral fixation devices so that a compressive force is applied to a first and second vertebral facet joint by said first and said second vertebral fixation devices. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said first vertebral fixation device further comprises a right lateral wall and said second vertebral fixation device further comprises a left lateral wall, wherein said first facet joint is a right facet joint, and said second facet joint is a left facet joint, wherein said right lateral wall contacts said right facet joint and said left lateral wall contacts said left facet joint, and wherein said compressive force applied to said first and said second vertebral facet joints comprises application of said compressive force to said right and left lateral walls. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said horizontal rod fixes to said first and said second vertebral fixation devices by coupling with a first articulating coupler of said first vertebral fixation device and a second articulating coupler of a said second vertebral fixation device. 
     
     
         6 . A vertebral fixation device, comprising
 a body comprising   a superior, an inferior, a lateral, and a posterior wall, wherein said superior, said inferior, and said posterior walls join to form a recess within said body that is configured to receive a vertebral facet within said recess of said body, and wherein said lateral wall is positioned over a lateral side of said body and is configured to enclose said recess within said body on only a single lateral side of said body;
 a first opening through said superior wall of said body; and 
 a second opening through said inferior wall of said body, wherein said second opening is positioned on said inferior wall of said body to receive a screw passed through said first opening at a first angle. 
   
     
     
         7 . The vertebral fixation device of  claim 6 , wherein said posterior wall of said body is coupled to a pin configured to couple to an articulating coupler configured to couple to a rod. 
     
     
         8 . The vertebral fixation device of  claim 7 , wherein said pin comprises a spherical shape. 
     
     
         9 . The vertebral fixation device of  claim 7 , wherein said articulating coupler comprises a tulip. 
     
     
         10 . The vertebral fixation device of  claim 6 , further comprising a third opening through said inferior wall of said body, wherein said third opening is positioned on said inferior wall of said body to receive a rod or a screw passed through said first opening at a second angle. 
     
     
         11 . The vertebral fixation device of  claim 6 , comprising a coupler on said superior wall configured to couple with a drill guide, and wherein said coupler comprises an indentation in said superior wall of said body configured to receive a protrusion on said drill guide. 
     
     
         12 . The vertebral fixation device of  claim 6 , wherein said inferior wall is configured to be positioned between a superior and inferior facet. 
     
     
         13 . The vertebral fixation device of  claim 11 , A vertebral fixation system, comprising
 a first body comprising
 a first superior, a first inferior, a first lateral, and a first posterior wall, wherein said first superior, said first inferior, and said first posterior walls join to form a recess within said first body that is configured to receive a first vertebral facet within said recess of said first body, and wherein said first lateral wall is positioned over a right lateral side of said first body and is configured to enclose said recess within said first body on only a single lateral side of said first body; 
 a first opening through said first superior wall of said first body; 
 a second opening through said first inferior wall of said first body, 
   wherein said second opening is positioned on said first inferior wall of said first body to receive a first screw passed through said first opening at a first angle;   a second body comprising
 a second superior, a second inferior, a second lateral, and a second posterior wall, wherein said second superior, said second inferior, and said second posterior walls join to form a second recess within said second body that is configured to receive a second vertebral facet within said second recess of said second body, and wherein said second lateral wall is positioned over a left lateral side of said second body and is configured to enclose said second recess within said second body on only a single lateral side of said second body; 
 a third opening through said second superior wall of said second body; 
 a fourth opening through said second inferior wall of said second body, 
   wherein said fourth opening is positioned on said second inferior wall of said second body to receive a second screw passed through said first opening at a second angle; and   a rod configured to couple to said first and said second bodies.   
     
     
         14 . The vertebral fixation system of  claim 13 , wherein said first or said second posterior wall of said first or said second body is coupled to a first or second pin configured to couple to a first or second articulating coupler configured to couple to a rod. 
     
     
         15 . The vertebral fixation system of  claim 14 , wherein said pin a spherical shape. 
     
     
         16 . The vertebral fixation system of  claim 15 , wherein said articulating coupler comprises a tulip. 
     
     
         17 . The vertebral fixation system of  claim 13 , further comprising a coupler on said first and second superior wall configured to couple with a drill guide. 
     
     
         18 . The vertebral fixation system of  claim 17 , wherein said coupler comprises an indentation in said first and second superior wall of said first and second body configured to receive a protrusion on said drill guide. 
     
     
         19 . The vertebral fixation system of  claim 13 , wherein said first angle was the same as said second angle. 
     
     
         20 . A method for vertebral fixation, comprising
 engaging a first vertebral facet within a recess of a first vertebral fixation device, wherein said first vertebral fixation device is configured to receive a first vertebral facet within said recess, and further comprises a first and a second opening and a first articulating coupler;   engaging a second vertebral facet within a recess of a second vertebral fixation device, wherein said second vertebral fixation device is configured to receive a second vertebral facet within said recess, and further comprises a third and a fourth opening and a second articulating coupler;   passing a screw through said first opening in said first vertebral fixation device, through said first vertebral facet, and through said second opening in said first vertebral fixation device while said first vertebral fixation device is engaged with said first vertebral facet;   passing a screw through said third opening in said first vertebral fixation device, through said second vertebral facet joint, and through said fourth opening in said second vertebral fixation device while said second vertebral fixation device is engaged with said second vertebral facet; and   coupling said first and said second vertebral fixation devices with a rod coupled to said first and said second articulating couplers.   
     
     
         21 .- 85 . (canceled)