Method and apparatus for spinal stabilization

• US 10,070,893 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2015
• Issued: 09/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Decima Spine, Inc
• Original Assignee: Decima Spine, Inc
• Inventors: Culbert, Brad S., Warren, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Ellen C
• Application Number:
  US14/957,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20160157893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1615 Drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1637 Hollow drills or saws producing a curved cut, e.g. cylindrical A61B10/025, A61B17/1695 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7082 for driving, i.e. rotating, screws or screw parts specially adapted for spinal fixation, e.g. for driving polyaxial or tulip-headed screws driving other bone screws A61B17/8875
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/862 at the periphery of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8883 the driver bit acting on the periphery of the screw head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8891 at its periphery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/867 with integral locking or clamping means

Abstract

A method and apparatus of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae of a patient includes advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebrae. A proximal portion of the stabilization device is positioned such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae by contacting a surface of the superior vertebrae.

Claims

1. A method of using a spinal stabilization device comprising:

coupling a distal anchor of an elongate body of the spinal stabilization device into a patient, the elongate body having a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end of the elongate body to a distal end of the distal anchor;

advancing a proximal anchor of the stabilization device from the proximal end of the elongate body and over the elongate body toward the distal end of the distal anchor, wherein the proximal anchor is advanced along the longitudinal axis of the elongate body, wherein the proximal anchor is advanced along a threaded surface of the elongate body; and

selectively inflating the proximal anchor after the proximal anchor is coupled to the elongate body.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively inflating the proximal anchor further comprises selectively inflating a cavity of the proximal anchor.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising sealing the cavity.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein selectively inflating the proximal anchor further comprises adding an inflation material to the cavity.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the inflation material comprises at least one material from a group consisting of a gas, liquid, gel and hardenable media.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively inflating the proximal anchor further comprises radially expanding the proximal anchor.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively inflating the proximal anchor further comprises adjusting the relationship between the spinal stabilization device and an adjacent vertebrae.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively inflating the proximal anchor further comprises expanding a wall formed of an elastic material.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively inflating the proximal anchor further comprises using one or more valve.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising increasing the distance between two vertebrae by increasing the diameter of the proximal anchor.

11. A method of using a spinal stabilization device comprising:

coupling a distal anchor of an elongate body of the spinal stabilization device into a patient, the elongate body comprising a longitudinal axis from a proximal end of the elongate body to a distal end of the distal anchor;

advancing a proximal anchor of the stabilization device over the elongate body from the proximal end of the elongate body and along the longitudinal axis toward the distal end the distal anchor, wherein the proximal anchor is advanced along a threaded surface of the elongate body; and

selectively deflating the proximal anchor after the proximal anchor is coupled to the elongate body.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein selectively deflating the proximal anchor further comprises selectively deflating a cavity of the proximal anchor.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising sealing the cavity.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein selectively deflating the proximal anchor further comprises removing an inflation material from the cavity.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the inflation material comprises at least one material from a group consisting of a gas, liquid, gel and hardenable media.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein selectively deflating the proximal anchor further comprises radially contracting the proximal anchor.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein selectively deflating the proximal anchor further comprises adjusting the relationship between the spinal stabilization device and an adjacent vertebrae.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein selectively deflating the proximal anchor further comprises contracting a wall formed of an elastic material.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein selectively deflating the proximal anchor further comprises using one or more valve.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising decreasing the distance between two vertebrae by decreasing the diameter of the proximal anchor.