EXPANDABLE ATTACHMENT DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20100016905A1
• Filed: 09/10/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P. (Alphatec Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P. (Alphatec Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: KIEFER, Robert A., IGOE, Michael Paul, TREXLER, Wade Kevin, ROMANO, John-Paul, GREENHALGH, E. Skott
• Application Number:
  US12/556,820
• Publication Number:
  US 20100016905A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/313
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7098 wherein the implant is permeable or has openings, e.g. fenestrated screw hollow surgical screws A61B17/864
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7258 with laterally expanding parts, e.g. for gripping the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7291 for small bones, e.g. in the foot, ankle, hand or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/744 the longitudinal elements coupled to an intramedullary nail
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/861 specially shaped for gripping driver
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/863 with thread interrupted or changing its form along shank, other than constant taper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/866 Material or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8685 comprising multiple separate parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8858 laterally or radially expansible inflatable A61B17/8855
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8872 Instruments for putting said fixation devices against or away from the bone A61B17/7074, A61B17/808 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8875 Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/8655 with special features for locking in the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0033 Expandable implants; Implants with extendable elements

Abstract

An attachment device with a radially expandable section is disclosed. The attachment device can have helical threads, for example, to facilitate screwing the attachment device into a bone. Methods of using the same are also disclosed. The attachment device can be positioned to radially expand the expandable section in cancellous bone substantially surrounded by cortical bone.

Claims

1. An attachment device having a longitudinal axis comprising:

a radially expandable length comprising a deformable frame, and wherein the frame comprises a plurality of struts, and wherein the plurality of struts defines a plurality of open cells, and

a length configured to attach to a separate device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the radially expandable length is configured to radially expand when the radially expandable length is longitudinally contracted.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the radially expandable length is configured to radially expand when the radially expandable length is rotated.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the radially expandable length is configured to radially expand when a wedge is translated into the radially expandable length.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment device further comprises a radially unexpandable length.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the radially expandable length comprises a cam.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the radially expandable length comprises a ramp configuration.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprises a threaded length.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the threaded length is on the opposite side of the radially expandable length from the length configured to attach to a separate device.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the threaded length is radially unexpandable.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the length configured to attach to a separate device has a substantially spherical configuration.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the length configured to attach to a separate device has an interface configured to attach to a removable deployment tool.

13. A method for deploying an attachment device having a longitudinal axis in a bone comprising:

inserting the attachment device of claim 1 into the bone,

radially expanding a radially expandable length of the attachment device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein radially expanding comprises radially expanding a radially expandable length of the attachment device in a cancellous portion of the bone.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein inserting comprises inserting into a vertebral body.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein radially expanding comprises longitudinal compressing the attachment device.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein radially expanding comprises rotating the attachment device.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein radially expanding comprises inserting a leverage element into the attachment device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the leverage element comprises a wedge.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the attachment device comprises a resilient section, and wherein radially expanding comprises releasing a mechanical constraint from the resilient section.