EXPANDABLE SUPPORT DEVICE

• US 20080281346A1
• Filed: 06/13/2008
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P. (Alphatec Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P. (Alphatec Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Greenhalgh, E. Skott, Romano, John-Paul
• Application Number:
  US12/139,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20080281346A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/191
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8858 laterally or radially expansible inflatable A61B17/8855
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2817 Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30471 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4435 Support means or repair of the natural disc wall, i.e. annulus, e.g. using plates, membranes or meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0091 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium

Abstract

A device for providing support for biological tissue is disclosed. The device can expand and be implanted in lieu of removed or otherwise missing bone, such as a vertebra, and/or soft tissue, such as a intervertebral disc. The device can be configured to radially expand in a single plane when the device is longitudinally contracted. Methods for using the device are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An expandable device for orthopedic support comprising:

an expandable frame comprising a first strut and a second strut, wherein the expandable frame has a first and a second configuration;

wherein the first configuration is substantially linear; and

wherein the second configuration is substantially rectangular.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the rectangular configuration is substantially square.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first strut and the second strut join at a joint and form a strut angle at the joint, and wherein the joint angle is approximately a right angle in the second configuration.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a longitudinal channel.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a device width, and wherein when the device is in the first configuration the device width is substantially less than the device width when the device is in the second configuration.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a device length, and wherein when the device is in the first configuration the device length is substantially more than the device width when the device is in the second configuration.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises joints.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the joint comprises a hinge.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the hinge comprise a weakened portion of the strut.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the hinge comprises a thinned portion of the strut.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the first strut is in a first position when the device is in the first configuration, and wherein the first strut is in a second position when the device is in the second configuration, and wherein the first position is rotated with respect to the second position in a first rotation.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the second strut is in a third position when the device is in the first configuration, and wherein the second strut is in a fourth position when the device is in the second configuration, and wherein the third position is rotated with respect to the fourth position in a second rotation, and wherein the second rotation is substantially opposite to the first rotation.

13. A method of treatment for an orthopedic damage site with an expandable support device having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:

inserting the expandable support device through a soft tissue, wherein the expandable support device cuts the soft tissue;

deploying the expandable support device in the damage site, wherein deploying comprises converting the expandable support device from a first configuration to a second configuration; and

wherein deploying comprises compressing the expandable support device along the longitudinal axis.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the inserting comprises inserting along a linear path.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the inserting comprises inserting along a radial path.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein deploying comprises applying tension along an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the expandable support device in the second configuration is widened relative to the expandable support device in the first configuration.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the expandable support device in the first configuration is longitudinally expanded relative to the expandable support device in the second configuration.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the expandable support device in the second configuration is not substantially deepened relative to the expandable support device in the first configuration.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the expandable support device widens along a plane substantially co-planar to a near surface of the bone.