Deformable tools and implants

• US 20060271061A1
• Filed: 06/17/2004
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Orthophoenix, LLC (Marathon Patent Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Disc-O-Tech Limited
• Inventors: Shasha, Uri, Beyar, Modechay, Globerman, Oren, Shavit, Ronen, Vachtenberg, Oz
• Application Number:
  US10/561,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20060271061A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/105
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00071 Insertion part of the endoscope body A61B1/0055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00133 Drive units for endoscopic tools inserted through or with the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7097 Stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant, e.g. balloon; devices for inserting or filling such implants disc prostheses made of inflatable chambers or pockets filled with fluid A61F2/441; replacing the nucleus pulposus A61F2002/444
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7098 wherein the implant is permeable or has openings, e.g. fenestrated screw hollow surgical screws A61B17/864
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7258 with laterally expanding parts, e.g. for gripping the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7266 with fingers moving radially outwardly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/742 having one or more longitudinal elements oriented along or parallel to the axis of the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8855 inflatable, e.g. kyphoplasty balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8858 laterally or radially expansible inflatable A61B17/8855
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0033 Expandable implants; Implants with extendable elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/004 inflatable

Abstract

A medical grade deformer, comprising: an axial member; and a pliable tube mounted on said axial member and adapted to be deformed from a first, narrower diameter, configuration to a second, greater diameter, configuration.

Claims

1. A medical grade deformer, comprising:

an axial member; and

a pliable tube mounted on said axial member and adapted to be deformed from a first, narrower diameter, configuration to a second, greater diameter, configuration.

2. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said tube is slotted through its thickness.

3. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said tube is not slotted.

4. A deformer according to claim 1, comprising at least one end engaging one end of said tube and adapted to apply compressive force to said tube for achieving said deformation.

5. A deformer according to claim 4, comprising at least a second end one end engaging a second end of said tube and adapted to cooperate with said first end to compress said tube.

6. A deformer according to claim 5, wherein said two engaging ends and said axial member lock to maintain said pliable tube in a greater diameter configuration.

7. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said tube changes configuration by axial compression thereof.

8. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said axial member is rigid.

9. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said axial member is flexible.

10. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said axial member extends out of said tube and is attached to a handle.

11. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said axial member comprises a release mechanism for release of said deformer from a delivery system.

12. A deformer according to claim 11, wherein said axial member comprises a locking mechanism for locking of said deformer in a greater diameter configuration in conjunction with release.

13. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer includes a channel adapted for bone filler flow.

14. A deformer according to claim 13, wherein said channel is formed in said axial member.

15. A deformer according to claim 13, wherein said channel is formed between said axial member and said tube.

16. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said axial member extends from said tube and is adapted to function as a hinge of a joint.

17. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer forms a bone attachment unit for a prosthesis.

18. A deformer according to claim 1, comprising an enclosing bag, which surrounds said tube in said second configuration.

19. A deformer according to claim 18, wherein said bag is bio-degradable in the body.

20. A deformer according to claim 18, wherein said bag is porous.

21. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer defines a general volume in the shape of a cylinder when in said second configuration.

22. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer defines a general volume in the shape of a truncated pyramid when in said second configuration.

23. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer defines an axially rotationally asymmetric general volume when in said second configuration.

24. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer defines a predetermined general volume when in said second configuration.

25. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer comprises a set of axially contiguous zones with different material properties.

26. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer has a non-smooth outer surface in said second configuration.

27. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer is stiff enough, when in said second configuration to resist a trans-axial force of at least 50 Kg.

28. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer, when in said second configuration has an axial applied force of at least 2 Kg.

29. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said pliable material has a shore hardness of between 50A and 90D.

30. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said pliable material is non-metallic.

31. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said pliable material is polymeric.

32. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer includes at least one axial thread.

33. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer includes at least one circumferential thread.

34. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer, in said second configuration, defines a general volume and wherein said deformer fills at least 30% of said volume.

35. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said deformer, in said second configuration, defines a general volume and wherein said deformer fills at least 50% of said volume.

36. A deformer according to claim 1, wherein said tube defines a plurality of slots, such that when deformed to the second configuration, a plurality of axially displaced leaves extend from said tube to define said second configuration.

37. A deformer according to claim 36, wherein said tube defines at least three axially displaced leaves.

38. A deformer according to claim 36, wherein adjacent leaves support each other, in said second configurations.

39. A deformer according to claim 36, wherein an end leaf is shorter than a non-end leaf.

40. A deformer according to claim 36, wherein an end leaf is supported, on one side thereof, by an end cap of said deformer.

41. A deformer according to claim 36, wherein adjacent leaves deform each other.

42. A deformer according to claim 36, wherein at least 50% of the leaves are deformed from a plane.

43. A deformer, comprising a non-inflatable substantially non-absorbent deformable non-metallic body having two configurations, a first configuration in which said body has a narrower diameter and a second configuration in which said narrower diameter is greater, wherein said deformer is adapted to remain substantially undeformed under a force of over 10 Kg and wherein said deformer is sized for positioning inside a human vertebra.

44. A deformer according to claim 43, wherein said deformer is adapted to remain substantially undeformed when in a human lumbar vertebra in standing condition.

45. A deformer according to claim 43, wherein said deformer is self-expanding.

46. A deformer according to claim 43, as part of kit including a spinal access tool.

47. A method of spinal surgery, comprising:

inserting a non-inflatable non-absorbent deformable deformer into a vertebra; and

deforming said deformer such that cortical bone of vertebral faces of said vertebra, move relative to each other.

48. A method of treating a bone, comprising:

inserting a unsealed pliable element into the bone; and

mechanically deforming the pliable element such that said pliable element applies deforming force on the bone.

49. A method according to claim 48, wherein said pliable element comprises at least one open aperture of cross-section greater than 0.5×

0.5 mm.

50. A method according to claim 48, wherein said bone comprises a vertebral bone.

51. A method according to claim 48, wherein said bone comprises a long bone.

52-61. -61. (canceled)