Spine stabilization device

Abstract

Technologies are generally provided for devices, systems, and methods to provide spinal fixation, spinal stabilization, and/or spinal fusion. Example devices may include a first end and a second end with a middle portion extending between the first and second end. The first end may be configured to be in contact with a portion of a first or upper vertebra and the second end may be configured to be in contact with a portion of a second or lower vertebra in an adjacent vertebral pair. Portions of the vertebra which may be in contact with the device may include lamia, processes, vertebral bodies, and facet joints. The example devices may include bone engagement features, such as screws or similar fasteners, to enhance stabilization and fixation when in contact with the vertebrae. Additionally, the devices may include a bone integration feature to promote bone growth and to facilitate fusion between the vertebrae.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method to achieve spinal fusion of an individual, the method comprising:
 inserting a bone stabilization device between an adjacent vertebral pair of the individual, such that:
 a first end of the bone stabilization device rests on a portion of a first vertebra of the adjacent vertebral pair, 
 a second end of the bone stabilization device rests on a portion of a second vertebra of the adjacent vertebral pair, and 
 a channel contoured to at least substantially follow one or more bone surfaces of the individual and extending from the first end to the second end, contacts the one or more bone surfaces at a bone integration feature of the channel, for tissue integration through at least a portion of the bone stabilization device and for facilitating fusion of the bone stabilization device to the first vertebra and the second vertebra. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least the first end and the second end are comprised of a material selected from a group consisting of: metal, alloy, non-degradable polymer, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the material of the bone integration feature includes a plurality of perforations in the material to provide a metal and/or non-biodegradable polymer scaffold for tissue integration to be achieved through at least a portion of the bone stabilization device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 prior to insertion, decorticating the portion of the first vertebra and the second vertebra to receive respectively the first end and the second end.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the first vertebra is a first transverse process and the portion of the second vertebra is an adjacent second transverse process. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more bone surfaces at least substantially followed by the channel, includes a surface of the first vertebra, a surface of the second vertebra and a surface of an intervertebral disk between the first vertebra and the second vertebra. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 inserting a locking component of the bone stabilization device into a facet joint between the first vertebra and the second vertebra.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: after insertion, contouring the channel by modifying a shape of the channel to at least substantially follow the one or more bone surfaces. 
     
     
         9 . A method to achieve spinal fusion of an individual, the method comprising:
 inserting a first device on a first side of an adjacent vertebral pair of the individual, such that:
 a first end of the first device rests on a first portion of a first vertebra of the individual; 
 a second end of the first device rests on a first portion of a second vertebra of the individual; and 
 a middle portion of the first device having a first length, extends between the first end and the second end of the first device; and 
 a channel of the first device, contoured to at least substantially follow one or more bone surfaces of the individual, contacts the one or more bone surfaces at a bone integration feature of the channel of the first device for tissue integration through at least a portion of the first device and for facilitating fusion of the first device to the first vertebra and the second vertebra; and 
   inserting a second device on a second side of the adjacent vertebral pair, such that:
 a first end of the second device rests on a second portion of the first vertebra; 
 a second end of the second device rests on a second portion of the second vertebra; and 
 a middle portion of the second device having a second length different, extends between the first end and the second end of the first device, wherein the second length is different from the first length to compensate for a spacing misalignment of the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra; and 
 a channel of the second device, contoured to at least substantially follow one or more bone surfaces of the individual, contacts the one or more bone surfaces at a bone integration feature of the channel of the second device, for tissue integration through at least a portion of the second device and for facilitating fusion of the second device to the first vertebra and the second vertebra. 
   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first length and the second length are based on a scan of a vertebral anatomy of the individual. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least the first end and the second end of the first device and the second device are comprised of a material selected from a group consisting of: metal, alloy, non-degradable polymer, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the material of the bone integration feature of the first device and the second device includes a plurality of perforations in the material to provide a metal and/or non-biodegradable polymer scaffold for tissue integration to be achieved through at least a respective portion of the first device and the second device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first portion and the second portion of the first vertebra are opposing first transverse processes and the first portion and the second portion of the second vertebra are opposing, adjacent second transverse process. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more bone surfaces at least substantially followed by the channel of the first device and the channel of the second device, includes respective opposing surfaces of the first vertebra, respective opposing surfaces of the second vertebra and respective opposing surfaces of an intervertebral disk between the first vertebra and the second vertebra. 
     
     
         15 . A method to achieve spinal fusion of an individual, the method comprising:
 inserting an upper part of a device to rest a first end on an upper inter-transverse process of a first vertebra in an adjacent vertebral pair of the individual;
 inserting lower part of the device to rest a second end on a lower inter-transverse process of a second vertebra in the adjacent vertebral pair; and 
 coupling the upper part and the lower part of the device via a coupling mechanism such that a channel extends from the first end to the second end, the channel being contoured to at least substantially follow one or more bone surfaces of the individual and contacts the one or more bone surfaces at a bone integration feature of the channel, for tissue integration through at least a portion of the device, and for facilitating fusion of the device to the first vertebra and the second vertebra. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the coupling mechanism includes a snap fit, a Morse taper engagement, connecting tabs, a screw, or a biocompatible adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bone contacting surface contacts the one or more bone surfaces at an offset of less than about 2 to about 300 micrometers to enable the bone to attach to the device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least the first end and the second end are comprised of a material selected from a group consisting of: metal, alloy, non-degradable polymer, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the material of the bone integration feature includes a plurality of perforations in the material to provide a metal and/or non-biodegradable polymer scaffold for tissue integration to be achieved through at least a portion of the device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 prior to insertion, decorticating the upper inter-transverse process and the lower inter-transverse process to receive respectively the first end and the second end.