Device for Realignment, Stabilization, and Prevention of Progression of Abnormal Spine Curvature

Abstract

A magnetic screw device of a bone screw and one or more magnets that are attached to the bone screw. The bone screw may have a stem, which comprises a connector and at least one thread, and a housing assembly. The connector of the stem may be configured to articulate with the housing assembly such that the stem can rotate and angulate relative to the housing assembly. The magnetic screw device may be used to treat or stabilize spines with abnormal curvature, prevent further curvature progression, and relieve pain associated with abnormal curvature.

1 . A magnetic screw device comprising a bone screw and one or more magnets attached thereto, wherein:
 the bone screw comprises a stem and a housing assembly, the stem comprising a connector and at least one thread, wherein the connector of the stem is configured to articulate with the housing assembly such that the stem can rotate and angulate relative to the housing assembly; and   the one or more magnets are attached to the housing assembly of the bone screw.   
     
     
         2 . The magnetic screw device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing assembly comprises an outer shell and an inner shell, and the inner shell is fit within the outer shell. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetic screw device of  claim 2 , wherein the inner shell comprises a hollow cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . The magnetic screw device of  claim 3 , wherein the connector of the stem is configured to articulate with the inner shell of the housing assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The magnetic screw device of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is generally spherical. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetic screw device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing assembly further comprises a locking mechanism that can lock the stem at a set rotation and angulation relative to the housing assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The magnetic screw device of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a set screw. 
     
     
         8 . The magnetic screw device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more magnets are enclosed in a casing. 
     
     
         9 . The magnetic screw device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more magnets comprise a material that is iron-based, nickel-based, cobalt-based, or an alloy of rare-earth metals. 
     
     
         10 . The magnetic screw device of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more magnets comprise an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a spine with an abnormal curvature in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising implanting one or more magnetic screw devices into two or more vertebrae at the curvature, wherein the magnetic screw devices are according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A method of stabilizing a spine with an abnormal curvature in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising implanting one or more magnetic screw devices into two or more vertebrae at the curvature, wherein the magnetic screw devices are according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of preventing curve progression of a spine with an abnormal curvature in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising implanting one or more magnetic screw devices into two or more vertebrae at the curvature, wherein the magnetic screw devices are according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A method of reducing the risk of curve progression of a spine with an abnormal curvature in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising implanting one or more magnetic screw devices into two or more vertebrae at the curvature, wherein the magnetic screw devices are according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A method of aligning vertebrae in a spine with an abnormal curvature in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising implanting one or more magnetic screw devices into two or more vertebrae at the curvature, wherein the magnetic screw devices are according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic screw device is implanted into one of the pedicles of each of the two or more vertebrae. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the magnetic screw device is implanted into both pedicles of each of the two or more vertebrae. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the magnet on each magnetic screw device is oriented to have the same magnetic pole alignment. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising implanting one or more magnetic screw devices into two or more vertebrae that are adjacent to the vertebrae at the curvature. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the subject wearing an external brace that comprises one or more magnets, wherein the one or more magnets in the external brace are oriented to have the same magnetic pole alignment as the one or more magnets of the implanted magnetic screw devices.