Spinous process spacer

• US 20060293662A1
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Paul, David C., Boyer, Michael L. II, Millhouse, Paul W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,837,688 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/249
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• 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 17/7065 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 17/7068 Devices comprising separate rigid parts, assembled in situ, to bear on each side of spinous processes; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/707 Devices acting on, or attached to, a transverse process or rib; 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 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/00 Dilators with or without means for introducing media, e.g. remedies instruments for performing visual medical inspections of cavities or tubes of the body A61B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/914 Toolkit for installing or removing spinal positioner or stabilizer

Abstract

Interspinous process implants are disclosed. Also disclosed are systems and kits including such implants, methods of inserting such implants, and methods of alleviating pain or discomfort associated with the spinal column.

Claims

1. A prosthetic device for implantation in the vertebral column, comprising:

a body comprising a central support portion extending laterally along a lateral axis between first and second end portions,

the first end portion extending longitudinally along a first longitudinal axis and the second end portion extending longitudinally along a second longitudinal axis, and the first and second longitudinal axes are generally perpendicular to the lateral axis,

wherein the first end portion comprises an outer surface and the first end portion is configured and dimensioned to be inserted between adjacent spinous processes of the vertebral column such that when the first end portion is inserted at least a portion of the outer surface engages at least one of the adjacent spinous processes.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is generally H-shaped.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is made from a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first end portion comprises a generally cylindrical portion having a bullet shaped tip adjacent a proximal end.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the first end portion is curved adjacent a distal end.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the support portion is configured and dimensioned to fit between adjacent spinous processes and further comprises:

a proximal support surface spaced longitudinally from a distal support surface by a first distance, the support surfaces configured to contact adjacent spinous processes of the vertebral column, wherein the first distance is predetermined for spacing of two adjacent spinous processes when the device is implanted in the vertebral column.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the support portion has a generally circular cross-section.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the support portion has a generally rectangular cross-section.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of first and second end portions protrudes beyond a front and a back surface of the support portion in the anterior-posterior direction.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the end portions extend longitudinally beyond first and second support surfaces in the longitudinal direction.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are coplanar to the lateral axis.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the end portions are laterally spaced by a second distance, the second distance generally corresponding to a predetermined distance for accommodating the width of the spinous processes.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the end portions are configured and dimensioned to contact the lateral sides of the spinous process when the device is implanted in the vertebral column.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the end portions define at least one opening for accommodating a fastening device to fasten the device to the spinous process when the device is implanted.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is configured and dimensioned to be rotated in-situ to distract adjacent spinous processes.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second end portions comprise an anterior cutout to accommodate the lamina in an implanted position.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is maintained in an implanted position without additional fixation devices.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the support portion further comprises a ramp portion adjacent at least one end portion to center the adjacent spinous processes along the central portion.

19. A prosthetic device for implantation in a treated area of an intervertebral space between vertebral bodies of a spine, comprising:

a spacer body comprising a central support portion extending along a lateral axis between first and second end portions,

the central support portion comprising an anterior surface and a posterior surface, wherein the anterior and posterior surfaces each have a contact area capable of engaging with anatomy in the treated area and the anterior and posterior surfaces are spaced apart a first distraction distance in a first direction,

the central support portion comprising an inferior surface and a superior surface, wherein the inferior and superior surfaces each have a contact area capable of engaging with anatomy in the treated area and the inferior and superior surfaces are spaced apart a second distraction distance in a second direction,

wherein the first distraction distance is less than the second distraction distance,

wherein the central support portion is configured and dimensioned to be positioned between adjacent vertebral bodies,

wherein when the device is in a first implantation position the adjacent vertebral bodies are maintained substantially separated by at least the first distraction distance and when the device is in a second implantation position the adjacent vertebral bodies are maintained substantially separated by at least the second distraction distance, and

wherein the central support portion is rotatable from the first implantation position to the second implantation position.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the first end portion extends longitudinally along a first longitudinal axis and the second end portion extends longitudinally along a second longitudinal axis, and the first and second longitudinal axes are generally perpendicular to the lateral axis.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the first end portion is tapered along its longitudinal length.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein in the second implantation position the first and second end portions are located laterally adjacent opposite lateral sides of a portion of the vertebral bodies.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein at least one of the first and second end portions comprise an anterior cutout to accommodate a portion of the lamina in the second implantation position.

24. The device of claim 19, wherein the spacer body is maintained in the second implantation position without additional fixation devices.

25. The device of claim 19, wherein the support portion further comprises a ramp portion adjacent at least one end portion to center a portion of the adjacent vertebral bodies along the central portion.

26. A prosthetic device for implantation between adjacent spinous processes in the vertebral column, comprising:

a body comprising a first portion having a tapered width along a first axis and a second portion extending along a second axis wherein the second portion is configured and dimensioned to contact a portion of the spinous processes and is rotatable with respect to the spinous processes to act or function as a cam to distract or separate the adjacent spinous processes.