Interspinous process implant and method of implantation

• US 20060089718A1
• Filed: 09/23/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Europe SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: St. Francis Medical Technologies, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Flynn, John J., Klyce, Henry A., Zucherman, James F., Winslow, Charles J., Markwart, John A., Hsu, Ken Y., Yerby, Scott A., Mitchell, Steve T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,048,117 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 17/7068 Devices comprising separate rigid parts, assembled in situ, to bear on each side of spinous processes; Tools therefor

Abstract

Systems and method in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can includes an implant having a spacer with an expandable portion. An insert can be positioned within a groove of the spacer to distract the expandable portion away from the main portion of the spacer. The expandable portion can optionally include a grip that can at least partially deform to conform to a contour of a spinous process to provide a frictional grip to prevent the implant from shifting position. Implants in accordance with the present invention can also include a binder that can be arranged around the adjacent spinous processes to limit flexion movement.

Claims

1. An interspinous implant adapted to be inserted between spinous processes, the implant comprising:

a spacer, including;

a main portion; and

an expansion portion associated with the main portion, the expansion portion capable of being urged away from the main portion.

2. The implant of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one groove disposed within the spacer, so that when an insert is positioned within the at least one groove, the at least one groove is expanded, thereby urging the expansion portion away from the main portion.

3. The implant of claim 2, wherein when the implant is inserted between spinous processes the at least one groove is accessible from a generally posterior direction.

4. The implant of claim 2, wherein when the implant is inserted between spinous processes the at least one groove is accessible from a generally lateral direction.

5. The implant of claim 1, wherein the expansion portion comprises a compressible material.

6. The implant of claim 1, wherein the expansion portion comprises one or both of a biocompatible polymer and a surgical grade metal.

7. The implant of claim 1, further comprising a second wing, slidably receivable over a portion of the spacer.

8. The implant of claim 2, including at least one insert corresponding to the at least one groove to distract the expansion portion away from the main portion.

9. The implant of claim 1, wherein the main portion and the expansion portion are cojoined by a hinge.

28. The implant of claim 1 including:

a second expansion portion associated with the main portion, the second expansion portion capable of being urged away from the main portion.

10. An interspinous implant adapted to be inserted between spinous processes, the implant comprising:

a distraction guide;

a spacer, including;

a main portion connected with the distraction guide; and

an expansion portion associated with the main portion, the expansion portion capable of being urged away from the main portion; and

a first wing connected with the main portion.

11. The implant of claim 10, further comprising:

at least one groove disposed within the spacer, so that when an insert is positioned within the at least one groove, the at least one groove is expanded, thereby distracting the expansion portion away from the main portion.

12. The implant of claim 11, wherein when the implant is inserted between spinous processes the at least one groove is accessible from a generally posterior direction.

13. The implant of claim 11, wherein the at least one groove is accessible through the first wing.

14. The implant of claim 10, wherein the expansion portion comprises a compressible material.

15. The implant of claim 10, wherein the expansion portion comprises one or both of a biocompatible polymer and a surgical grade metal.

16. The implant of claim 10, further comprising a second wing, slidably receivable over a portion of the spacer.

17. The implant of claim 10, wherein the main portion and the expansion portion are cojoined by a hinge.

18. An implant adapted to be inserted between spinous processes, the implant comprising:

a spacer having a first height, including;

a main portion; and

an expansion portion associated with the main portion, the expansion portion capable of being distracted away from the main portion so that a portion of the spacer has a second height greater than the first height;

a first wing; and

a distraction guide.

19. The implant of claim 18, further comprising:

at least one groove disposed within the spacer, so that when an insert is positioned within the at least one groove, the at least one groove is expanded, thereby urging the expansion portion away from the main portion.

20. The implant of claim 19, wherein when the implant is inserted between spinous processes the at least one groove is accessible from a generally posterior direction.

21. The implant of claim 19, wherein the at least one groove is accessible through the first wing.

22. The implant of claim 18, wherein the expansion portion comprises a compressible material.

23. The implant of claim 18, wherein the expansion portion comprises one or both of a biocompatible polymer and a surgical grade metal.

24. The implant of claim 18, further comprising a second wing, slidably receivable over a portion of the spacer.

25. The implant of claim 18, wherein the main portion and the expansion portion are cojoined by a hinge.

26. An interspinous implant adapted to be inserted between spinous processes, the implant comprising:

a spacer, including;

a main portion connected with the distraction guide; and

an expansion portion associated with the main portion, the expansion portion capable of being urged away from the main portion;

a tether; and

an anchor associated with the spacer, the anchor including a first slot for receiving the tether.

27. The implant of claim 26, further comprising:

a second slot disposed within the spacer for receiving the tether.