Systems and methods for posterior dynamic stabilization of the spine

• US 20060084985A1
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Inventors: Kim, Daniel H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,123,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/914
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7065 Devices with changeable shape, e.g. collapsible or having retractable arms to aid implantation; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer or member having an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the expandable member in an expanded configuration has a size, volume and/or shape configured for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae in order to distract the vertebrae relative to each other. The systems include one or more expandable members and a mechanical actuation means for expanding the expandable member or an expansion medium for injection within or for filling the interior of the expandable member via the port. The methods involve the implantation of one or more devices or expandable spacers.

Claims

1. An interspinous device for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment comprising a first vertebra having a first spinous process and a second vertebra having a second spinous process, the device comprising:

an expandable member having an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the expandable member in the unexpanded configuration has a size configured for positioning between the first and second spinous process and in the expanded configuration provides distraction of the first and second spinous processes, wherein the expandable member is mechanically actuatable from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the expandable member comprises a plurality of parallel struts.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of struts are affixed between two opposing hubs.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the expandable member comprises a coiled band.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the coiled band comprises inner and outer ends which are connectable to each other.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the expandable member comprises a plurality of nested portions.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the expandable member has a spherical configuration.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the expandable member has an elliptical configuration.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the expandable member has a disk configuration.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the expandable member is self-expanding.

20. A kit for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment comprising a first vertebra having a first spinous process and a second vertebra having a second spinous process, the kit comprising:

the interspinous device of claim 1;

and

a cannula configured for percutaneous delivery to a target site within the spinal motion segment wherein the expandable member is deliverable through the cannula when in an unexpanded configuration.

21. The kit of claim 20, further comprising instructions for implanting the expandable member between the first and second spinous processes.

22. A method for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment comprising a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, the method comprising:

providing the device of claim 1;

forming an opening in the spinous ligament;

positioning the expandable member within the opening wherein the expandable member is in the unexpanded configuration; and

expanding the expandable member to the expanded configuration wherein the first and second vertebrae are distracted a selected distance.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the expanding comprises mechanical actuation.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the steps of forming, positioning and expanding are performed through a percutaneous penetration in the patient'"'"'s skin.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the steps of forming, positioning and expanding are performed through a cannula positioned within the percutaneous penetration.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising anchoring the expandable member to one or both of the spinous processes.

11. A system for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment comprising a first vertebra having a first spinous process and a second vertebra having a second spinous process, the system comprising:

An expandable member having an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the expandable member in the unexpanded configuration has a size configured for positioning between the first and second spinous process and in the expanded configuration provides distraction of the first and second spinous processes, wherein the expandable member is mechanically actuatable from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration; and

means for mechanically actuating the expandable member.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said mechanical actuation means is a guide wire.

13. A method for stabilizing a vertebrae relative to another vertebrae, the method comprising:

introducing an expandable interspinous device to laterally of an interspinous space of the vertebrae;

expanding the interspinous device; and

inserting the interspinous device within the interspinous space.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

distracting the interspinous space prior to inserting the interspinous device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the distracting comprises introducing a device within the interspinous space and expanding the distracting device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the distracting device is a balloon.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the distracting device is a mechanical device.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the distracting device is introduced on one side of the interspinous space and the expandable interspinous device is introduced on the opposite side of the interspinous space.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the distracting device and the expandable interspinous device are introduced on the same side of the interspinous space.