Percutaneous spinal implants and methods
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an elongate member having a proximal portion configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration and from the second configuration to the first configuration, at least a section of the proximal portion being collapsed in the first configuration and expanded in the second configuration;
a distal portion configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration and from the second configuration to the first configuration, at least a section of the distal portion being collapsed in the first configuration and expanded in the second configuration; and
a central portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the central portion configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes upon spinal extension, a material of the central portion being different than a material of the proximal portion and the distal portion.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for performing minimally-invasive medical procedures are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus includes an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion are each configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration and from the second configuration to the first configuration. At least a section of each of the proximal portion and the distal portion is collapsed in the first configuration and is expanded in the second configuration. A central portion is positioned between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The non-expanding central portion is configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes upon spinal extension. A material of the non-expanding central portion is different than a material of the proximal portion and the distal portion.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
an elongate member having a proximal portion configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration and from the second configuration to the first configuration, at least a section of the proximal portion being collapsed in the first configuration and expanded in the second configuration;
a distal portion configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration and from the second configuration to the first configuration, at least a section of the distal portion being collapsed in the first configuration and expanded in the second configuration; and
a central portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the central portion configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes upon spinal extension, a material of the central portion being different than a material of the proximal portion and the distal portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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inserting an expandable member into an elongate member, the elongate member including a proximal end portion having a section in an expanded configuration and a distal end portion having a section in an expanded configuration; and
expanding the expandable member in a longitudinal to cause the section of the distal end portion to move from its expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A kit, comprising:
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an elongate member having a proximal portion configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration and from the second configuration to the first configuration, at least a section of the proximal portion being collapsed in the first configuration and expanded in the second configuration;
a distal portion configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration and from the second configuration to the first configuration, at least a section of the distal portion being collapsed in the first configuration and expanded in the second configuration; and
a central portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the central portion configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes upon spinal extension, the central portion being a different material than a material of the proximal portion and the distal portion; and
an actuator configured to move the section of the proximal portion to its first configuration from its second configuration and move the section of the distal portion to its first configuration from its second configuration. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification