Methods of Distracting Tissue Layers of the Human Spine
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of treating the human spine, comprising:
- inserting at least a distal end portion of a guide member between layers of tissue in the human spine, said distal end portion defining a predetermined shape; and
advancing an elongated member over at least the distal end portion of the guide member so that the elongated member substantially assumes the predetermined shape of the distal end portion of the guide member to form a support structure between the tissue layers that separates, supports or both separates and supports the tissue layers.
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Abstract
Methods of separating and/or supporting layers of tissue in the human spine. Such methods generally comprise inserting at least a distal end portion of a guide member between layers of tissue in the human spine wherein the distal end portion defines a predetermined shape. A distraction device is advanced over at least the distal end portion of the guide member so that the distraction device substantially assumes the predetermined shape of the distal end portion of the guide member to form a support structure between the tissue layers that separates and/or supports the tissue layers.
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Citations
65 Claims
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1. A method of treating the human spine, comprising:
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inserting at least a distal end portion of a guide member between layers of tissue in the human spine, said distal end portion defining a predetermined shape; and
advancing an elongated member over at least the distal end portion of the guide member so that the elongated member substantially assumes the predetermined shape of the distal end portion of the guide member to form a support structure between the tissue layers that separates, supports or both separates and supports the tissue layers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of treating the human spine, comprising:
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inserting at least a distal end portion of a guide member between layers of tissue in the human spine, said distal end portion defining a multi-tiered shape; and
advancing a distraction device over at least the distal end portion of the guide member so that the distraction device substantially assumes the multi-tiered shape and forms a multi-tiered support structure that separates, supports or both separates and supports the tissue layers. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of treating a vertebral body, comprising:
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inserting at least a distal end portion of a guide member into the vertebral body, said distal end portion having a pre-determined shape; and
advancing a distraction device over at least the distal end portion of the guide member so that the distraction device substantially assumes the pre-determined shape of the distal end portion of the guide member to form a support structure that separates, supports or both separates and supports the superior endplate and inferior endplate. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of treating a vertebra, comprising:
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inserting at least a distal end portion of a guide member between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, said distal end portion having a multi-tiered shape; and
advancing a distraction device over at least the distal end portion of the guide member so that the distraction device substantially assumes the multi-tiered shape of the distal end portion of the guide member and forms a multi-tiered support structure that separates, supports or both separates and supports the superior vertebra and inferior vertebra. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A method of treating a vertebral body, comprising:
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inserting a distal end portion of a guide member into a vertebral body;
changing the configuration of the distal end portion of the guide member into a coil-shape having a plurality of stacked windings; and
advancing a distraction device over at least the distal end portion of the guide member so that the distraction device substantially forms a coil-shaped support structure that separates, supports or both separates and supports the opposed endplates of the vertebral body. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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Specification