Methods and apparatus for treating spinal stenosis

• US 20070162005A1
• Filed: 12/06/2006
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuvasive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nuvasive Incorporated
• Inventors: Peterson, Mark, Spangler, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,862,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/279
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/562 Implants for placement in joint gaps without restricting joint motion, e.g. to reduce arthritic pain
• 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

Abstract

This invention relates generally to spine surgery and, in particular, to methods and apparatus for treating spinal stenosis.

Claims

1. A system for treating spinal stenosis, comprising:

an implant dimensioned to fit between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process, the implant being configured to promote fusion to the superior spinous process, the implant further being configured to discourage fusion to the inferior spinous process;

a coupling element configured to couple the implant to the superior spinous process; and

an overlay dimensioned to extend from at least a portion of the superior spinous process to at least a portion of the inferior spinous process.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the implant includes at least one aperture to allow bone to grow into the implant.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the implant includes an interior chamber in communication with the at least one aperture, the chamber dimensioned to receive fusion inducing material.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the fusion inducing material includes any of Bone Morphogenic Protein, demineralized bone matrix, allograft cancellous bone, autograft bone, hydroxyapatite and coral.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the implant includes at least one aperture dimensioned to receive the coupling element.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling element comprises tether.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the tether is one of a wire, cable, suture and allograft tissue.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the implant includes a notch dimensioned to receive a portion of the superior spinous process.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one aperture for allowing bone to grow into the implant is positioned within the notch.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein a second notch is positioned on a bottom of the implant and is dimensioned to engage the inferior spinous process.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the implant is made of a non-bone material.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the implant is made from one of polyetheretherketone and polyetherketoneketone.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the overlay comprises at least one of surgical mesh, textile and embroidery.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of anchors to secure the overlay to at least one of the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the anchors comprise at least one of pins, screws, nails, tacks and staples.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the overlay is formed as an integral part of the implant.

17. A method for treating spinal stenosis, comprising:

gaining access to an interspinous process space between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process;

abrading a portion of the superior spinous process;

inserting an implant in the interspinous process space;

coupling the implant to the superior spinous process;

securing an overlay to at least a portion of the superior spinous process and at least a portion of the inferior spinous process such that the overlay extends over the interspinous space.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the implant includes at least one aperture to allow bone to grow into the implant.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the implant includes an interior chamber in communication with the at least one aperture and comprising the additional step of packing the chamber with fusion inducing material one of before and after coupling the implant to the spinous process.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the fusion inducing material includes any of Bone Morphogenic Protein, demineralized bone matrix, allograft cancellous bone, autograft bone, hydroxyapatite and coral.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the implant is coupled to the superior spinous process with a tether.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the tether is one of a wire, cable, suture and allograft tissue.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the implant includes at least one aperture dimensioned to receive the tether and comprising the additional steps of:

introducing the tether through the at least one aperture dimensioned to receive the tether; and

tying the tether to the superior spinous process.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the implant includes a notch dimensioned to receive a portion of the superior spinous process and comprising the additional step of fitting the portion of the superior spinous process into the notch during insertion.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one aperture for allowing bone to grow into the implant is positioned within the notch.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein a second notch is positioned on a bottom of the implant and interacts with the inferior spinous process.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein the implant is made of a non-bone material.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the implant is made from one of polyetheretherketone and polyetherketoneketone.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the overlay comprises at least one of surgical mesh, textile and embroidery.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein securing the overlay comprises introducing at least one anchor into each of the superior and inferior spinous processes and through said overlay.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the anchors comprise at least one of pins, screws, nails, tacks and staples.