EXPANDABLE SUPPORT DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20080319549A1
• Filed: 06/13/2008
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P. (Alphatec Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P. (Alphatec Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: ROMANO, John-Paul, GREENHALGH, E. Skott
• Application Number:
  US12/139,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20080319549A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.16
• 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 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine

Abstract

A device for separating a first bone from a second bone is disclosed. The device can be an expandable orthopedic jack. The device can be used to treat spinal stenosis. The device can be deployed between adjacent spinous processes and then increased in height to reduce pressure on nearby nerves. Methods for using the device are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for treating spinal stenosis, comprising:

positioning an expandable support device between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, wherein the first vertebra is adjacent to the second vertebra; and

compressing the expandable support device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein compressing comprises applying a compressive force in a first direction, and wherein compressing further comprises expanding the expandable support device in a second direction.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein compressing comprises applying a compressive force along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a line from an anatomical landmark on the first vertebra to the anatomical landmark on the second vertebra.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein compressing comprises expanding the height of the expandable support device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the height is measured along an axis that is substantially parallel with a line from an anatomical landmark on the first vertebra to the anatomical landmark on the second vertebra.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein compressing comprises applying a compressive force along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a line from an anatomical landmark on the first vertebra to the anatomical landmark on the second vertebra.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing the compressed expandable support device, then further compressing the compressed expandable support device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein sensing comprises visualizing.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing the compressed expandable support device, then further expanding the expandable support device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein sensing comprises visualizing.

12. An expandable support device for treating spinal stenosis by applying substantially oppositely directed forces on a first bone and a second bone, comprising:

an expandable frame comprising;

a first elongated element, a second elongated element, and a first connector;

wherein the first elongated element has a first elongated element first end and a first elongated element second end, and wherein the second elongated element has a second elongated element first end and a second elongated element second end, and wherein the first connector connects the first elongated element to the second elongated element, and wherein the expandable frame is configured to expand in a first direction when the expandable frame is compressed in a second direction.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the first elongated element and the second elongated element interdigitate.

14. The device of claim 12, further comprising a second connector connecting the first elongated element to the second elongated element.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the first connector is connected to the first elongated element at the first elongated element first end.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the second connector is connected to the first elongated element at the first elongated element second end.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the connection between the first elongated element and the first connector comprises the first connector being integral with the first elongated element.

18. The device of claim 12, wherein the first connector is configured to attach to a compression tool.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the second connector is configured to attach to the compression tool.

20. The device of claim 12, wherein the expandable frame is configured to bend about an axis substantially parallel with the first direction.

21. The device of claim 12, wherein the expandable frame is configured to bend about an axis substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

22. The device of claim 12, wherein the first elongated element comprises a seat configured to attach to the first bone, and wherein the seat is configured in a different shape than the adjacent portion of the first elongated element.