Percutaneous spinal implants and methods

• US 20070073292A1
• Filed: 02/17/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Europe SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kohm, Andrew, Slater, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,057,513 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/249
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• 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 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine

Abstract

Spinal implants and methods for performing surgical procedures on the spine are describe herein. In one embodiment, for example, a method includes percutaneously inserting into a body an expandable member having a first configuration, a second configuration and a third configuration. The expandable member includes a support portion and a retention portion. The support portion has a longitudinal axis and is configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes. The retention portion is configured to limit movement of the support portion along the longitudinal axis. When the expandable member is in the first configuration, it is disposed in a first location between the adjacent spinous processes. The expandable member is then expanded from the first configuration to the second configuration. The expandable member is then contracted from the second configuration to the third configuration and disposed in a second location, the second location being different from the first location.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

percutaneously inserting into a body an expandable member having a support portion and a retention portion, the support portion having a longitudinal axis and being configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes, the retention portion being configured to limit movement of the support portion along the longitudinal axis, the expandable member having a first configuration, a second configuration and a third configuration;

disposing the expandable member in a first location between the adjacent spinous processes when the expandable member is in the first configuration;

expanding the expandable member from the first configuration to the second configuration;

contracting the expandable member from the second configuration to the third configuration; and

disposing the expandable member in a second location, the second location being different from the first location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second location is a location outside of the body.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second location is a location between the adjacent spinous processes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second location is a location between the adjacent spinous processes, the method further comprising expanding the expandable member from the third configuration to the second configuration after the expandable member has been disposed in the second location.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the expandable member has a first volume when the expandable member is in the first configuration;

the expandable member has a second volume when the expandable member is in the second configuration, the second volume being greater than the first volume; and

the expandable member has a third volume when the expandable member is in the third configuration, the third volume being between the first volume and the second volume.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the expandable member has a first volume when the expandable member is in the first configuration;

the expandable member has a second volume when the expandable member is in the second configuration, the second volume being greater than the first volume; and

the expandable member has a third volume when the expandable member is in the third configuration, the third volume being the same as the first volume.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable member is configured to distract the adjacent spinous processes when the expandable member is in the second configuration.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the expandable member is expanded from the first configuration to the second configuration by conveying a fluid into an inner area defined by the expandable member, the fluid being configured to retain fluidic properties; and

the expandable member is contracted from the second configuration to the third configuration by removing the fluid from the inner area.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the expandable member is expanded from the first configuration to the second configuration by conveying a fluid into an inner area defined by the expandable member, the fluid being at least one of a liquid or a gas; and

the expandable member is contracted from the second configuration to the third configuration by removing the fluid from the inner area.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable member is a low compliant expandable member.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring at least one of a pressure or a force on the expandable member via a sensor disposed within the expandable member.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

an expandable member having

a support portion configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes, the support portion having a longitudinal axis;

a retention portion disposed adjacent to the support portion, the retention portion being configured to limit movement of the support portion along the longitudinal axis;

a first configuration in which the expandable member has a first volume; and

a second configuration in which the expandable member has a second volume, the second volume being greater than the first volume, the expandable member configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration and to move from the second configuration to the first configuration.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support portion is configured to distract the adjacent spinous processes.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein retention portion is a first retention portion, the expandable member further including a second retention portion disposed opposite the first retention portion and adjacent to the support portion, the second retention portion configured to limit movement of the support portion along the longitudinal axis.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a sensor coupled to the expandable member, the sensor being configured to measure at least one of a pressure or a force.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the expandable member defines an inner area, the apparatus further comprising a valve defining a conduit in fluid communication with the inner area and an area outside of the expandable member.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the expandable member includes a radiopaque material.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the expandable member is configured to be inserted percutaneously between the adjacent spinous processes when in the first configuration.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one of the support portion or the retention portion include a low-compliant material.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

a support member configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes, the support member being substantially rigid;

a first expandable member coupled to a proximal portion of the support member, the first expandable member having a first configuration in which the first expandable member has a first volume and a second configuration in which the first expandable member has a second volume, the second volume being greater than the first volume; and

a second expandable member coupled to a distal portion of the support member, the second expandable member having a first configuration in which the in second expandable member has a first volume and a second configuration in which the second expandable member has a second volume, the second volume of the second expandable member being greater than the first volume of the second expandable member.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the support member is configured to distract the adjacent spinous processes.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the support member is configured to contact the adjacent spinous processes upon spinal extension.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of the first expandable member and the second expandable member are configured to be repeatedly transitioned between their respective first configuration and second configuration.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein

the first expandable member defines an inner area;

and

the second expandable member defines an inner area, the inner area of the second expandable member being in fluid communication with the inner area of the first expandable member.

25. An apparatus, comprising:

an expandable member configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes; and

a valve coupled to the expandable member.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the valve is configured to convey a fluid from an area outside of the expandable member to an inner area defined by the expandable member and to convey the fluid from the inner area to the area outside of the expandable member.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the valve includes a radiopaque material.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the valve is configured to be removably coupled to a tool configured to convey a fluid to the valve.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the valve is configured to be removably coupled to and recoupleable to a tool configured to convey a fluid to the valve.

30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein:

the expandable member has a first configuration in which the expandable member has a first volume and a second configuration in which the expandable member has a second volume, the second volume being greater than the first volume; and

the expandable member is configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration and to move from the second configuration to the first configuration.

31. the apparatus of claim 25, wherein the expandable member has a support portion configured to be disposed between the adjacent spinous processes, the support portion having a longitudinal axis and a retention portion disposed adjacent to the support portion, the retention portion being configured to limit movement of the support portion along the longitudinal axis.

32. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the expandable member include a low-compliant material.

33. A kit, comprising:

an expandable member configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes, the expandable member including a valve; and

a catheter defining a lumen configured to convey a fluid, the catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being coupleable to the valve.