Spinous process implant with tethers

• US 20060235521A1
• Filed: 04/27/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: St. Francis Medical Technologies, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Klyce, Henry A., Zucherman, James F., Hsu, Ken Y.
• Granted Patent: US 7,828,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7062 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs rib fixation devices A61B17/8076; Tools for such devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7065 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
• 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 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/37 Coumarins, e.g. psoralen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/91 Polymer

Abstract

A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. In an embodiment of the invention, the implant provides a spinal extension stop while allowing freedom of spinal flexion. In an embodiment of the invention, the extension stop consists of conically shaped members that snap or are otherwise fastened together. In an embodiment of the invention, the cones are made of a flexible material and the surfaces are flattened to carry and spread the load applied to the spinal processes. In an embodiment of the invention, the extension stop pieces are inserted after the spinous processes are spread apart.

Claims

1. An implant adapted to be inserted between adjacent first and second spinous processes comprising:

a central body being made up of a first portion and a second portion secured by a fastener;

the first portion and the second portion combined defining a saddle, the saddle being adapted to retain the first spinous process; and

wherein the central body is flexible.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein the fastener adjusts the position of the first portion relative to the second portion.

3. The implant of claim 1, wherein the implant is compressible between the first portion and the second portion.

4. The implant of claim 1, wherein the central body is made of a flexible material such that the central body moulds around the spinal processes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion combined define an additional saddle, the additional saddle being adapted to retain the second spinous process.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a central fastener orientated coincident with the central axis of the implant.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the central fastener clamps the first and the second portions from opposite directions.

8. An implant adapted to be inserted between adjacent first and second spinous processes comprising:

a central body being made up of a first portion and a second portion secured by a fastener;

the first portion and the second portion combined defining a saddle, the saddle being adapted to retain the first spinous process;

wherein the central body is flexible; and

wherein the fastener adjusts the position of the first portion relative to the second portion.

9. The implant of claim 8, wherein the central body is compressible between the first portion and the second portion.

10. The implant of claim 8, wherein the fastener adjusts the flexibility of the first portion relative to the second portion.

11. The implant of claim 8, wherein the fastener adjusts the compressibility of the first portion relative to the second portion.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first portion and the second portion combined define an additional saddle, the additional saddle being adapted to retain the second spinous process.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the fastener is a central fastener orientated coincident with the central axis of the implant.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the central fastener clamps the first and the second portions from opposite directions.

15. An implant adapted to be inserted between adjacent first and second spinous processes comprising:

a central body being made up of a first portion and a second portion secured by a fastener;

the first portion and the second portion combined defining a saddle, the saddle being adapted to retain the first spinous process; and

wherein as the fastener is tightened to draw the first portion and second portion together the saddle moulds around the first spinal processes.

16. The implant of claim 15, wherein the central body is compressible between the first portion and the second portion.

17. The implant of claim 15, wherein the fastener adjusts the flexibility of the first portion relative to the second portion.

18. The implant of claim 15, wherein the fastener adjusts the compressibility of the first portion relative to the second portion.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the first portion and the second portion combined define an additional saddle, the additional saddle being adapted to retain the second spinous process.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the fastener is a central fastener orientated coincident with the central axis of the implant.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the central fastener clamps the first and the second portions from opposite directions.