Bone Implant Having Tether Band

Abstract

Devices and methods useful in surgical processes that require structural attachment to bone such as spinal vertebrae. More specifically, an improved bone implant having a band there through for the purpose of correcting and/or preventing curvature of the spine.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A bone implant for treatment of skeletal abnormalities in an individual, the bone implant comprised of:
 staple;   a one screw; and   a locking screw.   
     
     
         2 . The bone implant of  claim 1 , wherein the staple includes a domed upper surface and a domed lower surface, the domed upper surface and domed lower surface having rounded edges for reduction of irritation of soft tissue surrounding the bone associated with the implant. 
     
     
         3 . Tile bone implant of  claim 2 , wherein the staple further includes a plurality of spikes protruding from the domed lower surface such that the spikes facilitate stable attachment to and dispersion of forces on the bone associated with the implant. 
     
     
         4 . The bone implant of  claim 1 , wherein the hone screw is comprised of a first tapered end and second flat end, the first tapered end and a second flat end, the first tapered end and the second flat end defining the body and length of the bone screw therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . The bone implant of  claim 1 , wherein the bone screw includes threads disposed along the outer circumference of the length of said bone screw, the threads being of varying patterns or pitches. 
     
     
         6 . The bone implant of  claim 4 , wherein the staple has at least an inner, lower set of threads corresponding to the threads adjacent to the second flat end of the bone screw such that the staple and bone screw lock together once tightened into place within the associated bone. 
     
     
         7 . The bone implant of  claim 1 , there the staple and the bone screw are integrated in a single unit, the single unit having a first tapered end and a second flat end. 
     
     
         8 . The bone implant of  claim 1 , wherein the locking screw is comprised of a domed upper surface and a domed lower surface, the domed upper surface and domed lower surface defining the body of the locking screw. 
     
     
         9 . The bone implant of  claim 1 , wherein the staple and the bone screw each possess a corresponding cut our, the cut out accommodating the placement of a tether cord. 
     
     
         10 . The bone implant of  claim 1 , wherein the complete inserted implant creates a smooth margin with the associate bone, 
     
     
         11 . A method of installing the hone implant of  claim 1  for the treatment of skeletal abnormalities in an individual, the method comprising:
 attaching a staple to a vertebrae of the spine of a patient; 
 inserting a bone screw through the staple and into the vertebrae; 
 tightening the hone screw using a screwdriver tool; 
 aligning a tether cord perpendicular to the vertebrae and along a cut-out in the top of the staple; 
 inserting the locking screw into an exposed flat end of the bone screw; and 
 tightening the locking screw using a screwdriver tool; 
 
       wherein the tightening of the locking screw secures the bone implant into the vertebrae to which it is attached. 
     
     
         12 . The bone implant of  claim 11 , wherein the staple includes a domed upper surface and a domed lower surface, the domed upper surface and domed lower surface having rounded edges for reduction of irritation of soft tissue surrounding the bone associated with the implant. 
     
     
         13 . The bone implant of claim  22 , wherein the staple further includes a plurality of spikes protruding from the domed lower surface such that the spikes facilitate stable attachment to and dispersion of forces on the bone associated with the implant. 
     
     
         14 . The bone implant of  claim 13 , wherein the bone screw is comprised of a first tapered end and second flat end, the first tapered end and a second flat end, the first tapered end and the second flat end defining the body and length of the bone screw therebetween. 
     
     
         15 . The bone implant of  claim 11 , wherein the bone screw includes threads disposed along the outer circumference of the length of said bone screw, the threads being of varying patterns or pitches. 
     
     
         16 . The bone implant of  claim 14 , wherein the staple has at least an inner, lower set of threads corresponding to the threads adjacent to the second flat end of the bone screw such that the staple and bone screw lock together once tightened into place within the associated bone. 
     
     
         17 . The bone implant of  claim 17 , there the staple and the bone screw are integrated in a single unit, the single unit having a first tapered end and a second flat end. 
     
     
         18 . The bone implant of  claim 11 , wherein the locking screw is comprised of a domed upper surface and a domed lower surface, the domed upper surface and domed lower surface defining the body of the locking screw. 
     
     
         19 . The bone implant of  claim 11 , wherein the staple possesses a corresponding cut out, the cut out accommodating the placement of a tether cord. 
     
     
         20 . The bone implant of  claim 11 , wherein the complete inserted implant creates a smooth margin with the associate bone.