US2702031A - Method and apparatus for treatment of scoliosis - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 15, 1955 'H. L. WENGER 2,702,031

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF SCOLIOSIS v FiledSept. 25, 1953 INVENTOR.

.HLaSZe Wercgen United States. PatentO METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF SCOLIOSIS I Herman Leslie Wenger, New York, N. Y. Application September 25, 1953, Serial No. 382,368

'2 Claims. (Cl. 128-78) Scoliosis is better known outside of the medical profession as curvature of the spine. At the present time the treatment for scoliosis is such that it is better to leave most of the mild cases untreated. 1n bad cases, where treatment is necessary, such treatment involves encasing the patient in a cast beginning at the head and neck and enclosing the body, but with the arms free, and extending down to one knee, leaving the other leg free. The patient is required to remain in this cast for a period averaging one year which requires hospitalization during the entire period. The cast is provided with hinges so that periodically it may be bent, after portions are cut therefrom at the joining edges, and reinforced. During this process mechanical force is applied to force the spine of the patient more nearly straight so that the cast will hold the patient in the new position. Later a window is cut in the plaster cast, exposing the patients back for the purpose of performing bone surgery of the spine. This surgery consists of some type of bone fusion. In addition to being long and expensive, this treatment is extremely uncomfortable.

I have invented a new apparatus for, and method of, treating scoliosis involving a single operation, with no cast, and in which the patient may leave the hospital in a few weeks with a permanent correction of the area involved in the treatment. I will first describe my apparatus and then the method of using it.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an outline of a human form to which my apparatus has been applied in acordance with my method;

Figure 2 is a cross-section of a portion of my apparatus;

Figure 3 is an elevation partly in section of my complete apparatus;

Figure 4 is a section along the lines 4--4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 5 is a section along the lines 55, Figure 2, lookingin the direction of the arrows.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the figures.

My apparatus comprises a tubular sleeve 1 threaded on the outside for engagement with similar threads on the inside of a second tubular sleeve 2. At the right end of the tubular sleeve 2, as seen in Figure 2, there is a swivel connection to a forked projecting member 3. The swivel member 3 has a head 4 which is fixed in the tube 2 so that the member 3 cannot be pushed in or out but is allowed to rotate freely. The swivel member 3 is U- shaped at its upper end (right end in Figure 2). This portion engages a screw 5 which is previously placed into the body of the vertebra. This U-shaped member 3 fits loosely around the shaft of the screw. Through holes 7 a wire 8 is twisted for the purpose of preventing this U- shaped member 3 from slipping out of position in maintaining its apposition to the shaft of the screw. The screw is placed into the body of the vertebra sufliciently to be firm and yet a sutficient portion is left protruding so that the member 3 can engage the shaft.

Just below head 4 of member 3 a disc 10 is placed within the sleeve 2. This disc is affixed to the shaft 2 by two steel pins 11. .In the center of disc 10 is a square hole so designated as to receive shaft 12 which serves as a key. When shaft 12 is inserted through the sleeve 1 the square end of the shaft fits into the square opening in disc 10. When the shaft 12 is rotated it causes sleeve 2 to rotate around the swivel member 3 and sleeve 1, which remain stationary.

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Sleeve 1 is fixed on a base 13 by pins 14. This has is attached to sleeve 1 so that the sleeve 1 remains stationary while the superimposed sleeve 2 rotates about the sleeve. The base 13 is so attached to sleeve 1 that it can swivel, but prevents sleeve 1 from rotating. The base 13 has three perforations 15 for screws to be inserted therethrough and into the pelvic bone. These two screws fix the base 13 so that it cannot rotate, and also prevent the shaft 1 from rotating.

A long pin 12, which is square in cross-section, may be inserted within the sleeves 1 and 2. This long pin 12 when inserted through the sleeves 1 and 2 fits into the square hole within disc 10. When shaft 12 is rotated, it will rotate sleeve 2 causing this sleeve either to rise or flazll depending upon the direction of the turning of shaft The long pin 12, which serves as a key to fit into the square hole in disc 10, is rotated by means of a key 16 which fits on the end of pin 12. This can be either a flanged key similar to a roller skating key, or any apparatus which will rotate pin 12.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that if sleeve 1 is held in fixed position at the brim of the pelvis, while the pin 12 is inserted through sleeves 1 and 2 into the disc 10, a torque will be exerted upon sleeve 2. The sleeve 2 will rotate with respect to sleeve 1, and the two sleeves will move together or apart depending upon the direction of rotation.

In the treatment of scoliosis, I make an incision on the side of the patient and drill a hole through the pelvic bone through which may be inserted the rod 12 of my apparatus. I also insert the screw 5 in the vertebra of the spine. I then place the base 13 against the pelvic bone in the position illustrated in Figure l, with the sleeves 1 and 2 in threaded engagement, to be as short as necessary. The U-shaped member 3 is then forced against the screw 5 by turning key 16 and sufficient pressure is exerted against the screw at the angle which it makes with the vertebra to force the vertebra into the erect position. The wire 8 is then inserted through the holes 7 to prevent member 3 from becoming dislodged from its point of force against the screw 5. After suificient force is used to correct the curvature of the spine, screws are placed into member 13 so that the flange is anchored firmly to the rim of the pelvis and the key 12 is withdrawn. The various layers of tissue are then closed and the treatment is complete.

In severe curves the pin 12 can be left in position and at some later date further correction can be made before the key 12 is removed. This process can be repeated as often as necessary.

This treatment will, of course, be accompanied by the use of X-rays to determine the position of the apparatus and correction of the curvature of the spine.

In a severe case, I have found that the desired correction may be completed within a week or ten days and the patient may be allowed to leave the hospital in a few weeks. All of the apparatus is left within the patients body when he leaves the hospital except the pin 12 and the key 16. This apparatus may remain permanently in the patients body, or may be removed therefrom in another operation after a year or two if necessary or desirable.

For many years metal has been inserted in human bodies by doctors for treatment as, for example, the use of metal plates over the skull, or the use of metal for improving the operation of joints or assisting in the healing of fractures. My apparatus may be made of any material which has been found suitable for perma- My patented apparatus; is available to any responsible manufacturer at a reasonable royalty, which royalty will be set at a figure only sufficient to'cove'r my expenses in insuring that the apparatus produced is of suitable quality for its purpose What is claimed is:

1. A device for treating scoliosis comprising a first sleeve. threaded on the inside, a second sleeve threaded on the outside interengaging the threads in the first sleeve, aflange on said second sleeve whereby said sleeve may be held in fixed position, means on the device for rotationing said sleeves with respect to one another, whereby they may b'e'moved toward and away from one another through the engagement of said threads, and means driven: by said first sleeve for engaging the spine of a patient to exert pressure thereon when the flange is attached to the pelvic bone and said sleeves are rotated with respect to one another.

2. A device for treating scoliosis comprising a forked member which exerts pressure against the vertebra at an angle through a screw inserted into the vertebra, a first References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Megill June 10, 1879 Sloan May 8, 1928

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