preferred embodiments , methods and aspects of surgical implantable devices to be used in dividing of the spinal lamina and elevation of the posterior wall of the spinal central canal are described in this section . this reshaping of the lamina , or laminoplasty results in the creation of more space for the neuronal elements in the spinal central canal . this method is of particular benefit since it can be performed through a small incision under ct , mri , or other image guidance . furthermore , the technique can be applied to the cervical , thoracic , and lumbar levels of the spine of any vertebrate . fig1 - 2 show lateral , posterior , and axial views of cervical and lumbar vertebrae respectively . thoracic vertebra are not drawn as they are similar in the anatomical region relevant to this description . the vertebral bodies 1 create the anterior wall of the central canal 2 . the spinous process 3 is a midline bony prominence where the lamina 4 meet . this process elevates the divided posterior elements of the vertebra , effectively expanding the central canal &# 39 ; s posterior margin or “ raising the roof ” of the vertebra . pedicles 5 extend anteriorly from the lamina and create the side wall of the central canal . the inter laminar space 6 is the space between adjacent lamina that is covered by a soft tissue structure called the ligamentum flavum . the facet joints 7 are joints that connect the vertebra posteriorly . the longitudinal 8 and perpendicular 9 axes of the spinal lamina are shown in fig1 and 2 . fig3 further demonstrates the longitudinal axes of the lamina for the different vertebra in the cervical , thoracic , and lumbar regions on patient 10 laying prone on a procedure table 11 . this longitudinal laminar axis determines the angle at which the lamina is approached and the location of the skin incision to reach the target lamina . the patient ( 10 ) is positioned prone , lateral , or semi ( sloppy ) lateral on the procedure table . if performed open , or with fluoroscopic techniques , the procedure may occur in the operating room . if performed using ct or mri guidance technologies , it may done in a scanning room or in an operating room specifically equipped with such scanning equipment . general anesthesia or sedation with local anesthesia may be used . a myelogram may be performed just prior to the procedure to allow for better visualization of the neuronal elements . this procedure may also be performed with neuronal monitoring . the procedures performed according to the invention benefit acquired pathologies such as disk herniation , compression fractures , facet joint or ligamentum flavum hypertrophy as well as congenital pathologies such as short pedicles or central canal stenosis . one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in fig4 . the laminar dividing mechanism 12 consists of a stand 13 that attaches to the procedure table 11 . this can be a single attachment to one side of the procedure table or an attachment to both sides of the table for added stability . the stand has an arm 14 fitted with a universal joint 15 that can position the instruments used to perform the procedure and hold them stable while imaging is being performed . control of the laminar dividing mechanism may occur robotically or otherwise with the aid of a computer or manually . alternatively these methods and instruments can be used without the instrument stabilizing apparatus , as a free hand technique . another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in fig5 . fig5 a demonstrates the patient in prone position , with the device lined up to perform the procedure on the patient &# 39 ; s cervical spine . in a preferred method according to one embodiment of the invention , a ct scanner 16 is shown , however mri or other imaging techniques can be used . fig5 b shows the patient in the prone position . here the device is lined up with the patient &# 39 ; s lumbar spine . the procedure can also be performed on the thoracic spine . the operator 17 is shown in position performing the procedure on the cervical spine in fig5 c . an axial view of the patient and ct scanner is shown in fig5 d . after achievement of a sterile field , the standard posterior surgical approach to the spine is made if an open technique is used . if image guidance is used , initial images are obtained . since both the open and image guided techniques are a variation of one another , further description will be focused on the use of the ct scanner for the described method . the level of spinal pathology is identified with the ct scanner . using a trajectory line through the longitudinal axis of the inferior laminar border , the site of the skin incision is identified . after making the skin incision , a blunt tip guide wire ( 18 ) is passed in line with the determined trajectory to the inferior ( caudal ) border of the lamina ( fig6 a ). although this procedure can be performed from both the caudal to cranial direction as well as the cranial to caudal direction , the herein described method will be from the caudal to cranial direction . a dilator ( 19 ) or series of dilators is used to increase the size of the access pathway . these dilators can be supported by the instrument stabilizing apparatus . the laminar guards are connected to a cylindrical shaft 20 , with a superior laminar guard 21 , and an inferior laminar guard 22 extending from it . these guards are positioned in the inter laminar space superior and inferior to the lamina being treated , as shown in fig6 b . the laminar guards are advanced through the dilator ( 19 ) under image guidance . the sub ( 22 ) and supra ( 21 ) laminar guard walls surround the lamina ( 4 ) creating a safety stop that prevents the laminar guards from entering the spinal central canal ( 2 ) or the inter laminar space between the vertebrae ( 6 ) ( fig6 c and 6e ). once the laminar guards are securely fastened around the lamina , a saw , drill , burr , or other bone dividing mechanism ( 26 ) is lowered through the cylindrical shaft ( 20 ) until it reaches the lamina ( 4 ). the dividing mechanism ( 26 ) is then used to divide the lamina ( 4 ) ( fig6 f ). based on the degree of stenosis or anatomy of the lamina , the laminar guard may need to be advanced stepwise under image guidance . in another aspect of the invention , the distance to completely divide the lamina ( 4 ) can be measured and the size of the lamina dividing mechanism ( 26 ) and laminar guards ( 22 and 21 ) can be adjusted to the exact length of the lamina ( 4 ) to ensure that the lamina dividing mechanism ( 26 ) does not enter the spinal central canal ( 2 ) or the inter laminar space ( 6 ) ( fig6 e - h ). the laminar guard can be advanced using imaging technology such as ct scan , mri , x - ray , fluoroscopy or other guidance . variable length laminar guards are available and the operator selects one based on measuring the longitudinal length of the lamina based on ct or other imaging study . the length of the sub - and supra - laminar guard walls matching the length of the lamina being worked on acts as a safety stop to prevent over advancement of the laminar guard into the spinal central canal ( fig6 c , 6 d ). the designs of two different variations of the laminar guard are shown in fig6 c and 6d , with and without a hinge 23 or some other comparable mechanism for the guard to account for variability of the lamina width , based on the thickness of the lamina , anatomical location , or elasticity of the material used to manufacture the laminar guard . in a most preferred embodiment , the laminar guard is made of titanium . a closer view of the lamina with the laminar guard fully advanced demonstrates the safety stop preventing the advancement of the laminar guard walls into the spinal canal ( fig6 e ). in this embodiment , the lamina dividing mechanism handle 24 with a security pin 25 is set to the appropriate length and is inserted into the cylindrical access shaft of the laminar guard . the lamina dividing mechanism can be seen positioned to divide the lamina along the lamina &# 39 ; s longitudinal axis . note in this embodiment that the saw blade or burr tip or other lamina dividing mechanism 26 length corresponds to the length of the lamina to act as an added safety . the blade &# 39 ; s holding mechanism is wider than the saw blade and cannot advance past the border of the lamina that was divided , thereby preventing the saw blade from entering the spinal central canal ( fig6 f ). use of an alternate dividing device such as a burr is demonstrated in fig6 g and 6h . the lamina dividing mechanism is advanced under image guidance dividing the lamina along its longitudinal axis . note the saw length corresponds to the length of the lamina to act as added safety . the blade holding mechanism may be wider than the saw blade or burr tip , and cannot advance into the lamina that was divided , further preventing the saw blade from entering the spinal central canal . an axial view of vertebra , showing the laminar guard in position on one lamina and the other lamina having been divided , is shown in fig6 i . if bilateral laminar osteotomies are to be performed , the same approach is made to the contralateral lamina . during the dividing of the contralateral lamina , the laminar guards of the initial side are kept in position . once both lamina have been divided , the laminar guards are rotated . the right guard may be rotated clockwise and the left guard may be rotated counter - clockwise . this process elevates the divided posterior elements of the vertebra , effectively expanding the central canal &# 39 ; s posterior margin or “ raising the roof ” of the vertebra . with the posterior wall elevated , a laminar clip 27 is placed on the divided edge of the lamina . the laminar clip can either be placed on the segment of the lamina that has been elevated posteriorly or on the segment still attached to the pedicle ( fig7 a ). alternatively , the clips may have teeth on the inner surface to help them achieve greater fixation to the laminar bone ( fig7 b ). fig8 illustrates a lateral view of the patient showing multiple approaches to more than one lamina through the same skin incision by adjusting the angle of approach to the longitudinal laminar axes ( fig8 ). the ability to treat multiple laminas through a single small incision is of obvious benefit to both the patient and surgeon . fig9 illustrates an axial view of a spinal vertebrae with a burst fracture 28 . fig9 illustrates displacement of the posterior wall within the canal with acute compression of the spinal cord , having been treated with bilateral laminar osteotomies as per the method contemplated by the invention . fig9 also illustrates elevation of the posterior wall of the central canal . once the clips 27 have been placed , the site is irrigated and suctioned . alternatively , an irrigation and suctioning system built into the procedure or device as contemplated by the present invention may be used during the entire process . in another aspect of the invention , osteo - inductive , osteo - conductive , or other bone healing material is placed on the divided laminar surface to aid in healing of the divided lamina . in another aspect of the invention , a repeat ct scan is obtained to demonstrate the passage of the myelogram dye to the previous areas of stenosis . the ct scan can further demonstrate the increase in canal size and ensure that there is no dural leak or bleeding that is readily visualized . this control ct scan demonstrates that the procedure accomplished decompression of the spinal canal due to the spinal stenosis . if the patient has spinal cord or thecal sac compression by the posterior aspects of the spinal canal , the above described procedure can be the performed as treatment . spinal decompression through a minimally invasive approach such as that contemplated by the present invention will shorten the length of time a patient spends in the hospital . there would be less blood loss and fewer wound healing complications . using a technique contemplated by the invention , decompression can be performed even in patients who are obese or otherwise have greater risk of complications with open surgery . the lamina dividing mechanism described herein cuts through the bone but not through soft tissue . this is a major benefit of this procedure . additionally , the safeguards in place with the technique contemplated by the invention address safety concerns of the neuronal elements , including the thecal sac or the spinal cord . injection of contrast material prior to the procedure ( myelography ) will allow a better visualization of the nerve roots . this is another method by which to assure that the dural sac is not perforated during the procedure . the above procedure can also be further performed in patients who are indicated for anterior spinal surgery either for discectomy and fusion , disc arthroplast , or other anterior procedure . there are added benefits of performing the above described procedure prior to anterior spinal surgery . for example , by increasing the spinal canal space allowing the neuronal elements to retract posteriorly , the surgeon would decrease the amount and possibility of pressure placed on the neuronal elements during anterior spinal surgery . this method significantly improves the safety margin for the patient . thus , a technique contemplated by the invention would decrease the possible amount of cord compression during anterior spinal surgeries , such as anterior discectomies ; fusions , or disk arthroplasty . it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention . thus , it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of any claims and their equivalents . although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity , it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example , and that numerous changes in the conditions and order of steps can be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . 1 vertebral body 2 central canal 3 spinous process 4 laminae 5 pedicule 6 interlaminar space 7 facet joint 8 longitudinal axis 9 perpendicular axis 10 patient 11 procedure table 12 laminar dividing device 13 stand 14 arm 15 universal joint 16 ct - scan 17 operator 18 guide wire 19 dilator 20 cylindrical shaft 21 superior laminar guard 22 inferior laminar guard 23 optional hing in laminer gaurd 24 lamina dividing mechanism handle 25 security pin 26 lamina dividing mechanism : saw blade , burr or other dividing device 27 clip 28 fracture or herniated disk fragments
this invention relates to a technique for performing laminar osteotomy . the term osteotomy is derived from os , tomy , and laminoplasty . this technique can be performed with or without visual assistance such as cameras used with endoscopy , or image guidance such as fluoroscopy , computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging .