EXPANDABLE SUPPORT DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20080071356A1
• Filed: 10/23/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P. (Alphatec Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P. (Alphatec Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Igoe, Michael, Romano, John-Paul, Greenhalgh, E.
• Application Number:
  US11/877,610
• Publication Number:
  US 20080071356A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8858 laterally or radially expansible inflatable A61B17/8855
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/915 with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/302 toroidal, e.g. rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30594 slotted, e.g. radial or meridian slot ending in a polar aperture, non-polar slots, horizontal or arcuate slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30624 Hinged joint, e.g. with transverse axle restricting the movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/448 comprising multiple adjacent spinal implants within the same intervertebral space or within the same vertebra, e.g. comprising two adjacent spinal implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4495 having a fabric structure, e.g. made from wires or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9155 Adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys

Abstract

An expandable support device and methods of using the same are disclosed herein. The expandable support device can expand radially when compressed longitudinally. The expandable support device can be deployed in a bone, such as a vertebra, for example to repair a compression fraction. The expandable support device can be deployed into or in place of all or part of an intervertebral disc. The expandable support device can be deployed in a vessel, in an aneurysm, across a valve, or combinations thereof. The expandable support device can be deployed permanently and/or used as a removable tool to expand or clear a lumen and/or repair valve leaflets.

Claims

1. A method of deploying a stent in a biological lumen, the stent having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

positioning the stent in the lumen; and

longitudinally compressing the stent to radially expand the stent.

2. A method of deploying an implantable device at biological valve, the device having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

positioning the device at the valve; and

longitudinally compressing the device to radially expand the device.

3. A method of repairing damaged valve leaflets, comprising:

positioning the device at the valve; and

expanding the device wherein the device deploys a radially expansive force on the leaflets, but the device does not substantially impede flow through the valve.

4. A leaflet repair device comprising:

a plurality of links, wherein each links is attached to at least one other link at a joint, and wherein the links and joints form cells;

and wherein the device has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the device has a first configuration and a second configuration, and wherein the first configuration is radially contracted about the longitudinal axis and the second configuration is radially expanded about the longitudinal axis.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the links comprise a metal.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the links comprise a polymer

7. The device of claim 4, wherein at least one cell is diamond shaped

8. The device of claim 4, wherein at least one cell is elongated compared to at least one other cell.

9. An expandable support device for orthopedic treatment comprising:

a plurality of links, wherein each links is attached to at least one other link at a joint, and wherein the links and joints form cells;

and wherein the device has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the device has a first configuration and a second configuration, and wherein the first configuration is radially contracted about the longitudinal axis and the second configuration is radially expanded about the longitudinal axis.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the links comprise a metal.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein (lie links comprise a polymer

12. The device of claim 9, wherein at least one cell is diamond shaped

13. The device of claim 9, wherein at least one cell is elongated compared to at least one other cell.