SPINE TREATMENT DEVICES AND METHODS

• US 20070288014A1
• Filed: 06/05/2007
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dfine Incorporated (Merit Medical Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dfine Incorporated (Merit Medical Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Truckai, Csaba, Shadduck, John
• Application Number:
  US11/758,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20070288014A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/279
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/707 Devices acting on, or attached to, a transverse process or rib; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates generally to implant systems and methods for treating spine disorders, and more particularly to least invasive implant systems configured for re-distributing loads on a spine segment while still allowing spine flexion, extension, lateral bending and torsion. The implant system can include implants configured for spanning bi-lateral intercostal locations that can be introduced and implanted via posterior access to the spine through small bilateral incisions.

Claims

1. An implant device for treating a spine segment including first and second vertebrae, the implant comprising:

a body insertable in an intercostal space between adjacent vertebrae, the body comprising opposite end portions configured to engage adjacent transverse processes on the spine segment and an intermediate portion extending between said end portions; and

at least one fixation portion extending from the body and configured to receive a fastener to fasten the body to the first and second vertebrae,

wherein the implant body is configured to apply a distraction force on the transverse processes to thereby space apart the adjacent vertebrae.

2. The implant device of claim 1, wherein each of the end portions comprises a concave portion configured to engage the transverse processes.

3. The implant device of claim 1, wherein each of the end portions comprises a textured surface configured to engage the transverse processes.

4. The implant device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least one metal core portion disposed within at least one polymeric portion.

5. The implant device of claim 4, wherein the at least one metal core portion comprises a spring configured to deflect to absorb load forces applied to the body.

6. The implant device of claim 1, further comprising a length-adjustment mechanism disposed in the body and configured to adjust the length of the body.

7. The implant device of claim 6, wherein the length-adjustment mechanism comprises a first and a second core metal portions moveable relative to each other to adjust a length of the body, the core metal portions fastenable to each other with a fastener to substantially maintain a selected length.

8. An implant device for treating a spine segment including first and second vertebrae, the implant comprising:

an expandable body insertable in an intercostal space between adjacent vertebrae, the body comprising a medial portion positionable at least partially in the intercostal space between costal necks attached to the first and second vertebrae, and end portions on opposite ends of the medial portion, the end portions positionable on opposite sides of the costal necks from the medial portion,

wherein the body is moveable from an unexpanded state configured to facilitate deployment of the implant in the intercostal space to an expanded state configured to off-load the spine segment.

9. The implant device of claim 8, further comprising tether portions that couple the end portions to the medial portion.

10. The implant device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the medial portion and end portions defines a chamber configured to receive a fluid to expand the body.

11. The implant device of claim 10, wherein the fluid is a hardenable material.

12. The implant device of claim 8, further comprising a heating element disposed in the body, the heating element removably coupleable to an energy source configured to deliver energy to an infill material deliverable into the body from a flowable infill source removably coupleable to the body to harden the infill material.

13. A system for treating a spine segment including first and second vertebrae, the system comprising:

a pair of implants configured for bi-lateral insertion in intercostal spaces between the costovertebral joints and costotransverse joints of the targeted spine segment to thereby off-load the spine segment.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the implants comprises an intermediate portion positionable in the intercostal space, and a pair of end portions on opposite sides of the intermediate portion, the end portions positionable on opposite sides of the costovertebral joints from the intermediate portion, the medial portion configured to engage the vertebrae.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the implants includes a helical configuration configured to allow for helical insertion of the implant into the intercostal space.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the end portions and intermediate portion of the implant are expandable from an unexpanded state configured to facilitate insertion of the implant into the intercostal space to an expanded configuration configured to engage the vertebrae to thereby off-load the spine segment.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the implants is mechanically expandable.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the implants is expandable via introduction of a fluid therein.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the fluid comprises a hardenable material.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the fluid comprises a curable polymer.

21. The system of claim 18, further comprising an energy source removably coupleable to the implant to deliver energy to the hardenable material to harden the material.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the implants comprises a substantially rigid intercostal portion.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the implants comprises a substantially resilient intercostal portion.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one the implants has a unitary body.

25. A method for treating a spine disorder, comprising:

advancing an implant device through costotransversal foramens of two vertebrae so that a medial portion of the implant is disposed in an intercostal space between the costotransversal foramens of the vertebrae; and

expanding the medial portion of the implant device to secure the implant device in the intercostal space.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein advancing the implant includes inserting the implant via a minimally invasive posterior approach through a small incision in a patient'"'"'s back.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein advancing the implant device includes positioning end portions of the implant device on opposite sides of the costotransversal foramens from the medial portion such that tether portions connecting the end portions to the medial portion extend through the costotransversal foramens of the vertebrae.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising expanding the end portions of the implant.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein expanding includes delivering a flowable material into the implant.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising delivering energy to the flowable material in the implant to harden said material.

31. A method for treating a spine segment including first and second vertebrae, the method comprising implanting at least one implant device configured to span an intercostal space between the costovertebral joint and the costotransverse joint of the spine segment to thereby off-load the spine segment.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein implanting the at least one implant device includes implanting first and second implant devices in intercostal spaces between the costovertebral joint and the costotransverse joint of the spine segment.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein implanting the first and second implant devices comprises implanting the devices bi-laterally on opposite sides of the spine segment.