Spinous process reinforcement device and method

• US 20060058790A1
• Filed: 08/03/2005
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Albany Medical College (Albany Medical Center), K2M, Inc (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: K Spine, Inc.
• Inventors: Carl, Allen L., Sachs, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 7,611,526 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/248
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7004 with a cross-section which varies along its length A61B17/7019 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7067 Devices bearing against one or more spinous processes and also attached to another part of the spine; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4405 for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30079 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30242 spherical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30563 having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30642 having a single rolling (or sliding) ball articulating between two cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0071 spherical
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing

Abstract

A method and device for reinforcing a spinous process is provided. Also provided are devices and method for attaching devices thereto.

Claims

1. A spine implant system comprising:

a spine implant device configured to be fixed to a spinous process; and

a spinous process reinforcement system configured to provide structural reinforcement to the spinous process to support said device coupled to the spinous process.

2. The spine implant system of claim 1 wherein the spine implant device comprises and elongate member, and

wherein a median plane intersects the first vertebra, and wherein the elongate portion is configured to extend across the median plane at an oblique angle with respect to the median plane.

3. The spine implant system of claim 2 wherein the spine implant device further comprises:

a first portion configured to couple the spine implant device to a spinous process of a first vertebra of a spine; and

a second portion configured to be coupled to a bony portion of a second vertebra, wherein the elongate portion is located between the first portion and the second portion; and

wherein the elongate portion configured to extend across the at least motion segment between the first vertebra and the second vertebra.

4. The spine implant system of claim 3 wherein the first portion comprises a first engaging surface and wherein the spinous process reinforcement system comprises a second engaging surface wherein when deployed, the first engaging surface engages the second engaging surface to thereby indirectly engage the spine implant device with the spinous process.

5. The spine implant system of claim 3 wherein the spine implant comprises a distraction element configured to exert a distraction force across the at least one motion segment.

6. The spine implant system of claim 1 wherein the spine implant device further comprises a dynamic element configured to permit limited movement of the spine implant device.

7. The spine implant system of claim 1 wherein the spinous process reinforcement system comprises a reinforcement structure inserted into cancellous bone of the spinous process.

8. The spine implant system of claim 7 wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a curable polymer.

9. The spine implant system of claim 7 wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a member having a first unexpanded position and a second expanded position wherein the reinforcement structure is configured to be inserted into a cavity in the bone in the first position and is configured to expand into the second expanded position when implanted in the cavity.

10. The spine implant system of claim 7 wherein the reinforcement structure comprises at least one strut.

11. The spine implant system of claim 7 wherein the reinforcement structure comprises an external hood configured to be positioned over a portion of the spinous process.

12. The spine implant system of claim 7 wherein the hood comprises a malleable material configured to be shaped about the portion of the spinous process.

13. The spine implant system of claim 7 wherein the hood further comprises wings configured to be positioned adjacent lamina of the vertebra.

14. The spine implant of claim 7 wherein the hood further comprises at least one opening configured to accurately locate a position of the spine implant device.

15. A spine stabilizing system comprising:

a stabilizing device configured to stabilize movement across at least one joint between vertebrae of the spine, the stabilizing device comprising;

a first portion configured to couple the stabilizing device to a spinous process of a first vertebra of a spine;

an elongate portion configured to extend across the at least one joint; and

a second portion configured to be coupled to a bony portion of a second vertebra, wherein the elongate portion is located between the first portion and the second portion; and

a spinous process reinforcement system configured to provide structural reinforcement to the spinous process to support the stabilization device.

16. The spine stabilizing system of claim 15 wherein a median plane intersects the first vertebra and a horizontal plan intersects the first vertebra, and wherein the elongate portion is configured to extend across the median plane at an oblique angle with respect to the median plane and across the horizontal plane at an oblique angle with respect to the horizontal plane.

17. The spine stabilizing system of claim 15 wherein a median plane intersects the first vertebra, and wherein the elongate portion is configured to extend across the median plane at an oblique angle with respect to the median plane.

18. The spine stabilizing system of claim 15 wherein the first portion comprises a first engaging surface and wherein the spinous process reinforcement system comprises a second engaging surface wherein when deployed, the first engaging surface engages the second engaging surface to thereby indirectly engage the stabilizing device with the spinous process.

19. The spine stabilizing system of claim 15 wherein the spinous process reinforcement system comprises a reinforcement structure inserted into cancellous bone of the spinous process.

20. The spine stabilizing system of claim 19 wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a curable polymer.

21. The spine stabilizing system of claim 19 wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a member having a first unexpanded position and a second expanded position wherein the reinforcement structure is configured to be inserted into a cavity in the bone in the first position and is configured to expand into the second expanded position when implanted in the cavity.

22. A spine distractor system comprising:

a distraction device configured to exert a distraction force across at least one joint between vertebrae of the spine, the distraction device comprising;

a first portion configured to couple the distraction device to a spinous process of a first vertebra of a spine;

an elongate portion configured to extend across the at least one joint; and

a second portion configured to be coupled to a bony portion of a second vertebra, wherein the elongate portion is located between the first portion and the second portion; and

a spinous process reinforcement system configured to provide structural reinforcement to the spinous process to support the distraction device.

23. The spine distractor of claim 22 wherein a median plane intersects the first vertebra, and a horizontal plan intersects the first vertebra, and wherein the elongate portion is configured to extend across the median plane at an oblique angle with respect to the median plane and across the horizontal plane at an oblique angle with respect to the horizontal plane.

24. The spine distractor of claim 22 wherein a median plane intersects the first vertebra, and wherein the elongate portion is configured to extend across the median plane at an oblique angle with respect to the median plane.

25. The spine distractor system of claim 22 wherein the first portion comprises a first engaging surface and wherein the spinous process reinforcement system comprises a second engaging surface wherein when deployed, the first engaging surface engages the second engaging surface to thereby indirectly engage the distraction device with the spinous process.

26. The spine distractor system of claim 22 wherein the spinous process reinforcement system comprises a reinforcement structure inserted into cancellous bone of the spinous process.

27. The spine distractor system of claim 26 wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a curable polymer.

28. The spine distractor system of claim 26 wherein the reinforcement structure comprises a spring member.

29. The spine distractor system of claim 26 wherein the reinforcement structure comprises at least one strut.

30. The spine distractor system of claim 26 wherein the reinforcement structure comprises an external hood configured to be positioned over a portion of the spinous process.

31. The spine implant of claim 30 wherein the hood further comprises at least one opening configured to accurately locate a position of the spine implant device.

32. The spine distractor system of claim 30 wherein the hood comprises a malleable material configured to be shaped about the portion of the spinous process.

33. The spine distractor system of claim 30 wherein the hood further comprises wings configured to be positioned adjacent lamina of the vertebra.