Lamina prosthesis for delivery of medical treatment

• US 20010000803A1
• Filed: 12/26/2000
• Published: 05/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Knuth, Henricus M.P., Gielen, Frans L.H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,481,440 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/23.49
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7071 Implants for expanding or repairing the vertebral arch or wedged between laminae or pedicles; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2821 Bone stimulation by electromagnetic fields or electric current for enhancing ossification
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

A prosthetic lamina that replaces a portion of the lamina bone structure is described. The prosthetic lamina may be configured with means for delivering a variety of medical treatments, such as electrodes for electrical stimulation, fluid channels, catheters for dispensing drugs and means for healing bone tissue.

Claims

1. A prosthetic lamina apparatus for delivering treatment to a spinal cord, comprising:

a prosthetic lamina; and

a delivery treatment system operatively attached to the prosthetic lamina, the prosthetic lamina being configured for insertion adjacent the spinal cord and for delivering the treatment therethrough or therefrom.

2. The prosthetic lamina apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein the prosthetic lamina comprises a body and support means.

3. The prosthetic lamina apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein the body and the support means are formed as one integral piece.

4. The prosthetic lamina apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein the delivery treatment system comprises a system of electrodes.

5. The prosthetic lamina apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein the delivery treatment system comprises a system of drug delivery channels.

6. The prosthetic lamina apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein the delivery treatment system comprises a combination of electrodes and drug delivery channels.

7. A method of delivering treatment to the spinal cord, comprising:

providing a lamina prosthesis comprising a prosthetic lamina and a delivery treatment system operatively attached to the prosthetic lamina;

inserting the prosthetic lamina adjacent the spinal cord; and

delivering treatment through the prosthetic lamina.

8. The method of

claim 7

, further comprising:

configuring the delivery treatment system as a system of electrodes; and

stimulating the spinal cord.

9. The method of

claim 7

, further comprising:

configuring the delivery treatment system as a system of drug delivery channels; and

dispensing drugs to the spinal cord.

10. The method of

claim 7

, further comprising:

configuring the delivery treatment system as a combination of electrodes and drug delivery channels.

11. A method of delivering treatment to the spinal cord, comprising:

configuring a prosthetic lamina with a delivery treatment system;

inserting the prosthetic lamina adjacent the spinal cord; and

delivering treatment through the prosthetic lamina.

12. A prosthetic lamina apparatus for delivering treatment to the spinal cord, comprising:

a prosthetic means for replacing a portion of the lamina;

operatively attached to a treatment means for delivering treatment.

13. The prosthetic lamina apparatus of

claim 12

, wherein the prosthetic lamina comprises a body and support means.

14. The prosthetic lamina apparatus of

claim 12

, wherein the body and the support means are formed as one integral piece.

15. The prosthetic lamina apparatus of

claim 12

, wherein the delivery treatment system comprises a system of electrodes.

16. The prosthetic lamina apparatus of

claim 12

, wherein the delivery treatment system comprises a system of drug delivery channels.

17. The prosthetic lamina apparatus of

claim 12

, wherein the delivery treatment system comprises a combination of electrodes and drug delivery channels.

18. A method of healing bone with a lamina prosthesis, comprising:

providing a lamina prosthesis;

configuring the lamina prosthesis with a treating electrode to create a germicidal environment;

configuring the lamina prosthesis with a healing electrode to create a biogalvanic couple with body fluid and tissue; and

stimulating healing in the bone.

19. A method of stimulating a spinal cord with a lamina prosthesis, comprising:

providing a lamina prosthesis;

configuring the lamina prosthesis with a system of electrodes;

coupling the electrode system to an implantable pulse generator; and

stimulating the spinal cord.

20. A method of preparing a lamina prosthesis for an individual patient;

comprising;

determining the medical treatment necessary for the patient, providing a lamina prosthesis;

configuring the lamina prosthesis with a system of components for delivering the medical treatment; and

delivering the treatment to the patient.

21. A system for delivering treatment to the spinal cord, comprising:

a prosthetic lamina; and

a delivery treatment system operatively attached to the prosthetic lamina, wherein the prosthetic lamina is configured for insertion adjacent the spinal cord and treatment is delivered through the prosthetic lamina.

22. The system of

claim 21

, wherein the delivery treatment system comprises a system of electrodes.

23. The system of

claim 21

, wherein the delivery treatment system comprises a system of drug delivery channels.

24. The system of

claim 21

, wherein the delivery treatment system comprises a combination of electrodes and drug delivery channels.