Interspinous distraction devices and associated methods of insertion

• US 20060106397A1
• Filed: 12/02/2005
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc. (Zimvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lanx Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Lins, Robert E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,918,875 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/90
• 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 2017/0256 for the spine

Abstract

In various embodiments, the present invention provides a plurality of novel interspinous distraction devices and associated methods of insertion. The interspinous distraction devices of the present invention are designed and configured to effectively treat such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. Advantageously, the interspinous distraction devices of the present invention may be inserted through conventional open procedures, typically requiring a relatively large incision and a general anesthetic, or through novel minimally-invasive procedures, typically requiring only a local anesthetic. These novel minimally-invasive procedures and related enabling devices are also disclosed and described herein.

Claims

1. An interspinous distraction device for treating such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, the interspinous distraction device comprising:

a body assembly of either solid material or cured polymer configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of a patient, wherein the body assembly is sized such that the body assembly distracts the adjacent spinous processes apart; and

a band configured to be disposed about the adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of the patient and engage the body assembly, wherein the band is sized such that the adjacent spinous processes are stabilized with respect to one another.

2. The interspinous distraction device of claim 1, wherein the band has a circumferential length of between about 60 mm and about 150 mm.

3. A dilation tube system for providing minimally-invasive surgical access to a portion of the spinal column or the like, the dilation tube system comprising:

a hollow dilation tube having a first end, a second end, a given cross-sectional shape, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end of the dilation tube comprises a cut-away portion for providing access from an interior portion of the dilation tube to an exterior portion of the dilation tube in a plurality of directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dilation tube.

4. The dilation tube system of claim 3, further comprising a hollow guide tube having a first end, a second end, a given cross-sectional shape, and a longitudinal axis disposed concentrically within the dilation tube, wherein the first end of the guide tube comprises an elbow portion for providing access from an interior portion of the guide tube to an exterior portion of the guide tube in a plurality of directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide tube through the cut-away portion of the dilation tube.

5. The dilation tube system of claim 4, wherein the dilation tube and the guide tube each have a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of substantially circular, substantially oval, substantially square, substantially rectangular, substantially triangular, and a combination thereof.

6. The dilation tube system of claim 4, wherein the dilation tube and the guide tube each have a diameter of between about 18 mm and about 22 mm.

7. The dilation tube system of claim 4, wherein the dilation tube and the guide tube each comprise a material selected from the group consisting of a medically-implantable, corrosion-resistant metal;

a medically-implantable, corrosion-resistant metal alloy;

a medically-implantable plastic;

a medically-implantable ceramic; and

a combination thereof.

8. The dilation tube system of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of sequentially-sized dilation rods for creating an access channel for the placement of the dilation tube.

9. The dilation tube system of claim 3, further comprising a “

shoehorn”

-type device for guiding the placement of the dilation tube.

10. An interspinous distraction device for treating such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, the interspinous distraction device comprising:

an extensible body assembly configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of a patient, wherein the body assembly is sized such that the body assembly distracts the adjacent spinous processes apart; and

a plurality of attachment arms extending outwardly from the body assembly, the plurality of attachment arms configured to be disposed about a portion of each of the adjacent spinous processes and securely hold the body assembly in place relative to each of the adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of the patient.

11. An interspinous distraction device for treating such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, the interspinous distraction device comprising:

a body assembly of either solid material or cured polymer configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of a patient, wherein the body assembly is sized and shaped such that the body assembly distracts the adjacent spinous processes apart.

12. An interspinous distraction device for treating such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, the interspinous distraction device comprising:

a body assembly of either solid material or cured polymer configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of a patient, wherein the body assembly is sized and shaped such that the body assembly distracts the adjacent spinous processes apart; and

one or more bands configured to be disposed about at least one of the spinous processes of the spinal column of the patient and engage the body assembly, wherein the one or more bands are sized such that the adjacent spinous processes are stabilized with respect to one another.

13. A method for inserting an interspinous distraction device for treating such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, the method for inserting the interspinous distraction device comprising:

disposing a body assembly between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of a patient using one or more lines and one or more line guides, wherein the body assembly is sized and shaped such that the body assembly distracts the adjacent spinous processes apart.

14. A minimally-invasive method for inserting an interspinous distraction device or the like into the interspinous space of a patient, the minimally-invasive method for inserting the interspinous distraction device or the like comprising:

passing the device through a first opening associated with a first end of a retractor system; and

passing the device through a second opening associated with a second end of the retractor system;

wherein the retractor system is one of tubular and non-tubular.

15. A method for inserting an interspinous distraction device for treating such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and the like, the method for inserting the interspinous distraction device comprising:

disposing a body assembly between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of a patient, wherein the body assembly is sized such that the body assembly distracts the adjacent spinous processes apart; and

extending a plurality of attachment arms outwardly from the body assembly, the plurality of attachment arms disposed about a portion of each of the adjacent spinous processes and securely holding the body assembly in place relative to each of the adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of the patient.

16. An interspinous distraction device for treating such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, the interspinous distraction device comprising:

a body assembly configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of a patient, wherein the body assembly is sized such that the body assembly distracts the adjacent spinous processes apart; and

a plurality of attachment arms extending outwardly from the body assembly, the plurality of attachment arms configured to be disposed about a portion of each of the adjacent spinous processes and securely hold the body assembly in place relative to each of the adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of the patient;

wherein at least a portion of at least one of the body assembly and the plurality of attachment arms comprises a friction surface for engaging the adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of the patient.

17. An interspinous distraction method for treating such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, the interspinous distraction method comprising:

providing a body assembly configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of a patient, wherein the body assembly is sized such that the body assembly distracts the adjacent spinous processes apart; and

extending a plurality of attachment arms outwardly from the body assembly, the plurality of attachment arms configured to be disposed about a portion of each of the adjacent spinous processes and securely hold the body assembly in place relative to each of the adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of the patient;

wherein at least a portion of at least one of the body assembly and the plurality of attachment arms comprises a friction surface for engaging the adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of the patient.

18. An interspinous distraction device for treating such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, the interspinous distraction device comprising:

a body assembly configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of a patient, wherein the body assembly is sized such that the body assembly distracts the adjacent spinous processes apart; and

a plurality of attachment arms extending outwardly from the body assembly, the plurality of attachment arms configured to be disposed about a portion of each of the adjacent spinous processes and securely hold the body assembly in place relative to each of the adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of the patient;

wherein the plurality of attachment arms are held in a fixed relationship to one another via a spacer selectively disposed between the plurality of attachment arms within a space defined by the body assembly.

19. An interspinous distraction method for treating such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, the interspinous distraction method comprising:

providing a body assembly configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of a patient, wherein the body assembly is sized such that the body assembly distracts the adjacent spinous processes apart; and

extending a plurality of attachment arms outwardly from the body assembly, the plurality of attachment arms configured to be disposed about a portion of each of the adjacent spinous processes and securely hold the body assembly in place relative to each of the adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of the patient;

wherein the plurality of attachment arms are held in a fixed relationship to one another via a spacer selectively disposed between the plurality of attachment arms within a space defined by the body assembly.

20. An interspinous distraction device for treating such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, the interspinous distraction device comprising:

a body assembly configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of a patient, wherein the body assembly is sized and shaped such that the body assembly distracts the adjacent spinous processes apart, and wherein the body assembly comprises a plurality of components that are at least one of overlapped, screwed together, cold welded, interdigitated, and expandingly interdigitated.

21. An interspinous distraction method for treating such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, the interspinous distraction method comprising:

providing a body assembly configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column of a patient, wherein the body assembly is sized and shaped such that the body assembly distracts the adjacent spinous processes apart, and wherein the body assembly comprises a plurality of components that are at least one of overlapped, screwed together, cold welded, interdigitated, and expandingly interdigitated.