Systems and methods for posterior dynamic stabilization of the spine

• US 20060085069A1
• Filed: 02/04/2005
• 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 University)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford University)
• Inventors: Kim, Daniel H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,317,864 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• 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 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 17/7071 Implants for expanding or repairing the vertebral arch or wedged between laminae or pedicles; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7083 Tools for guidance or insertion of tethers, rod-to-anchor connectors, rod-to-rod connectors, or longitudinal elements
• 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. 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:

a tubular member having a length and a diameter and being deployable from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein one of the length and the diameter of the tubular member in the first configuration is changed when the tubular member is in the second configuration.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the tubular member in the second configuration is greater than the diameter of the tubular member in the first configuration.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a retaining member circumferentially positioned about a portion of the length of the tubular member, wherein the diameter of the retained portion of the tubular member is less than the diameter of the unretained portion of the tubular member when the tubular member is in the second configuration.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the diameter of the retained portion of the tubular member in the second configuration is sufficient to distract the first and second vertebrae relative to each other when the device is operably implanted between the first and second spinous processes.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the retaining member is positioned about a central portion of the tubular member.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising

a core member positionable within the tubular member;

and

first and second hubs configured for coupling with a first end of the core member and a second end of the core member, respectively.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least one of the hubs is configured to translate axially over the core member.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the core member comprises segments of length which are removable from the core member.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the tubular member comprises a polymer material.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises a braided or mesh material.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein a luminal surface of the tubular member is contoured.

13. 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:

the interspinous device of claim 1;

and

a device for delivering the interspinous device when in the first configuration between the first and second spinous process and for deploying the interspinous device in the second configuration.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the delivery device comprises:

an elongated shaft having a detachable distal end configured for insertion into the tubular member of the interspinous device; and

a handle mechanism for moving the elongated shaft wherein the movement causes the tubular member to be deployed from the first configuration to the second configuration.

15. A method for stabilizing a vertebrae relative to another vertebrae wherein the vertebrae define an interspinous space, the method comprising:

introducing the interspinous device of claim 1 within the interspinous space when in the first configuration; and

deploying the interspinous device to the second configuration.

2. The device of claim I wherein the length of the tubular member in the first configuration is greater than the length of the tubular member in the second configuration.