CERVICAL DISTRACTION/IMPLANT DELIVERY DEVICE

• US 20100069912A1
• Filed: 09/14/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Providence Medical Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: McCormack, Bruce M., Smith, Jeffrey D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,512,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/562 Implants for placement in joint gaps without restricting joint motion, e.g. to reduce arthritic pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7062 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs rib fixation devices A61B17/8076; Tools for such devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7064 Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor
• 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 17/8014 the extension or compression force being caused by interaction of the plate hole and the screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8085 with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8095 Wedge osteotomy devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8822 characterised by means facilitating expulsion of fluid from the introducer, e.g. a screw pump plunger, hydraulic force transmissions, application of vibrations or a vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8855 inflatable, e.g. kyphoplasty balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4405 for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062
• 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 2/4455 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 2/446 having a circular or elliptical cross-section substantially parallel to the axis of the spine, e.g. cylinders or frustocones
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30205 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30227 : arched, domed or vaulted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3023 : wedge-shaped cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30266 : wedge-shaped parallelepipeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30281 : wedge-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 : using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30579 : with mechanically expandable devices, e.g. fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30622 : Implant for fusing a joint or bone material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 : Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30878 : with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30879 : Ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 : Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30894 : inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4627 : with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 : using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws

Abstract

Systems for distracting a facet joint and positioning a permanent implant in the joint are disclosed. The implants serve to retain a distracted position of the facet joint which is achieved with positioning of the leading end of a distraction tool in the facet joint and then distracting or enlarging the joint a desired amount. The permanent implant could be part of the distraction mechanism which can be separated from the delivery tool once the joint has been distracted or an auxiliary implant may be positioned before the distraction mechanism is removed from the distracted joint. The permanent implants can be solid, mechanical devices that may have fixation means thereon to hold them in place or injected fluids such as hydrogels or fluids confined within balloons.

Claims

1. A distraction tool for distracting a facet joint, the tool comprising:

a handle;

a cannula extending from the handle; and

a distraction mechanism positioned on a distal end of the cannula and adapted to be placed in the facet joint,

wherein the handle is in communication with the distraction mechanism and actuation of the handle causes distraction thereof.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the distraction mechanism comprises:

a head in the form of an oblong band; and

an elongate member extending through the head and adapted to draw opposing ends of the head toward one another thereby expanding the head.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the distraction mechanism comprises:

a plurality of pairs of teeth in pivotal relation with a central core; and

an elongate member extending through the central core,

wherein, actuation of the elongate member causes distraction of at least one of the plurality of pairs of teeth.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the distraction mechanism comprises:

a hollow elongated body having facet engaging features; and

an elongated member adapted for insertion within the body,

wherein, insertion of the elongated member actuates the facet engaging features.

5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the facet engaging features include deployable keels.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the distraction mechanism comprises a plurality of leaf blades and the handle includes an indicating dial, wherein actuation of the indicating dial advances one or more of the plurality of leaf blades and provides an indication of the level of distraction.

7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the distraction mechanism comprises:

an expandable receiving portion having upper and lower generally planar elements connected at an end with a living hinge; and

an actuation device adapted to be placed between the planar elements,

wherein, the planar elements include malleable material that conforms to the facet surface upon implantation.

8. A distraction mechanism for distracting a facet joint, the mechanism comprising:

a head in the form of an oblong band; and

an elongate member extending through the head and adapted to draw opposing ends of the head toward one another thereby expanding the head.

9. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein the elongate member includes a flange at a first end and a female member on a second end, the oblong band being positioned therebetween, wherein advancing the female member toward the flange draws the opposing ends of the head toward one another.

10. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein the elongated member is a threaded member and the female member is a threaded nut adapted to threadably translate along the elongated member.

11. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein the elongated member is a toothed member and the female member is a female ratchet member adapted to slidably translate along the elongated member.

12. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein the head is a relatively rigid and malleable material adapted to expand when the opposing ends are drawn together and conform to a surface of the facet joint.

13. A distraction mechanism for distracting a facet joint, the mechanism comprising:

a plurality of pairs of teeth in pivotal relation with a central core; and

an elongate member extending through the central core,

wherein, actuation of the elongate member causes distraction of at least one of the plurality of pairs of teeth.

14. The mechanism of claim 13, wherein the elongate member is a threaded member adapted to threadably advance through the central core.

15. The mechanism of claim 13, wherein the elongate member is a plunger type member adapted to slidably advance through the central core.

16. The mechanism of claim 13, wherein the elongate member includes an engagement feature at a proximal end, the engagement feature adapted for actuation of the elongate member.

17. A distraction mechanism for a facet joint, the mechanism comprising:

a hollow elongated body having facet engaging features; and

an elongated member adapted for insertion within the body,

wherein, insertion of the elongated member actuates the facet engaging features.

18. The distraction mechanism of claim 17, wherein the facet engaging features include deployable keels.

19. The distraction mechanism of claim 17, wherein the facet engaging features include thread slots.

20. The distraction mechanism of claim 19, wherein the elongated member is a threaded member and the thread slots are adapted to receive threads from the elongated member and allow them to protrude there through.

21. The distraction mechanism of claim 17, further comprising an engagement feature at a proximal end, the engagement feature adapted for actuation of the elongate member.

22. A distraction mechanism for distracting a facet joint, the mechanism comprising:

an expandable receiving portion having upper and lower generally planar elements connected at an end with a living hinge; and

an actuation device adapted to be placed between the planar elements,

wherein, the planar elements include malleable material that conforms to the facet surface upon implantation.

23. The mechanism of claim 22, wherein the actuation device includes an elongated member.

24. The mechanism of claim 22, wherein the planar elements include tapered keels.

25. The mechanism of claim 22, wherein the planar elements include teeth.

26. The mechanism of claim 22, wherein the planar elements include threaded slots.

27. The mechanism of claim 26, wherein the actuation device includes an elongated threaded member, the threaded member including threads adapted to engage the threaded slots.

28. A delivery tool for positioning a distraction mechanism in a facet joint between confronting facets of adjacent vertebra, the tool comprising:

a distraction mechanism for distracting a facet joint,

a handle and a cannula connected to one another and carrying said distraction mechanism on a distal end thereof, said handle including means for delivering energy to said distraction mechanism,

said distraction mechanism being manipulatable to increase the spacing of said confronting facets thereby distracting said facet joint.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein said distraction mechanism is separable from said insertion tool to remain in a distracted facet joint as a permanent implant.