Spine distraction implant and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
- introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which is fillable with a material; and
includingfilling the device with a fluid after the device is introduced between said spinous process and said another spinous process.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a spinal extension stop while allowing freedom of spinal flexion.
353 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which is fillable with a material; and
includingfilling the device with a fluid after the device is introduced between said spinous process and said another spinous process.
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2. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which has flexible walls defining a cavity capable of receiving a material; and
includingfilling the cavity with a fluid after the device is introduced between said spinous process and said another spinous process.
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3. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which has a cavity that is adapted to be fillable with a fluid, and which conforms to the shape of at least one of said spinous process and said another spinous process; and
whereinthe introducing step includes introducing said device through a cannula; and filling the cavity with fluid.
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4. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which has a cavity that is adapted to be fillable with a fluid, and which is conformable in situ to the shape of at least one of said spinous process and said another spinous process; and
whereinthe introducing step includes introducing said device through a cannula; and filling the cavity with a fluid.
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5. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which is pre-formed to the shape of at least one of said spinous process and said another spinous process; and
whereinthe introducing step includes introducing said device through a cannula.
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6. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which is fillable with a material; and
whereinthe introducing step includes introducing said device through a cannula.
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7. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which has flexible walls defining a cavity capable of receiving a material; and
whereinthe introducing step includes introducing said device through a cannula.
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8. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which conforms to the shape of at least one of said spinous process and said another spinous process; and
whereinthe introducing step includes placing said device over an insertion tool in order to introduce the device between said spinous process and said another spinous process.
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9. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which is conformable in situ to the shape of at least one of said spinous process and said another spinous process; and
whereinthe introducing step includes placing said device over an insertion tool in order to introduce the device between said spinous process and said another spinous process.
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10. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which is pre-formed to the shape of at least one of said spinous process and said another spinous process; and
whereinthe introducing step includes placing said device over an insertion tool in order to introduce the device between said spinous process and said another spinous process.
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11. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which is fillable with a material; and
whereinthe introducing step includes placing said device over an insertion tool in order to introduce the device between said spinous process and said another spinous process.
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12. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which has flexible walls defining a cavity capable of receiving a material; and
whereinthe introducing step includes placing said device over an insertion tool in order to introduce the device between said spinous process and said another spinous process.
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13. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing a device encompassingly about one of said spinous process and said another spinous process; and wherein the introducing step includes one of (1) introducing said device through a cannula; and
(2) placing said device over an insertion tool in order to introduce the device between said spinous process and said another spinous process. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which is fillable with a material; and
includingfilling the device with a fluid in order to distract and/or maintain a distraction between said spinous process and said another spinous process.
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17. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which is fillable with a material; and
includingfilling the device with a material which is a fluid.
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18. An improved method for stabilizing a spinous process relative to another spinous process, said method being of the type wherein a device is implanted between said spinous process and said another spinous process, wherein said improvement comprises:
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introducing between said spinous process and said another spinous process a device which is fillable with a material; and filling the device with a material in order to distract and/or maintain a distraction between said spinous process and said another spinous process; and
includingsaid filling step including using a material which is a fluid.
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19. A method for relieving pain associated with the spine comprising the steps of:
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introducing a device between a spinous process and another spinous process, which device includes a flexible wall which defines a cavity; and filling the cavity with a material; and
whereinsaid filling step includes using a fluid. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for relieving pain associated with the spine comprising the steps of:
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introducing a device between a spinous process and another spinous process, which device includes a flexible wall which defines a cavity; and filling the cavity with a material; and
whereinsaid filling step causes the device to conform to at least one of the spinous process and the another spinous process.
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23. A method for relieving pain associated with the spine comprising the steps of:
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introducing a device between a spinous process and another spinous process, which device includes a flexible wall which defines a cavity; and filling the cavity with a material; and
whereinthe introducing step includes introducing a device with a pre-shaped configuration; and the filling step causes the device to expand to the pre-shaped configuration.
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24. A method for relieving pain associated with the spine comprising the steps of:
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introducing a device between a spinous process and another spinous process, which device includes a flexible wall which defines a cavity; and filling the cavity with a material; and
whereinat least one of said introducing step and said filling step is done through a cannula.
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25. A method for relieving pain associated with the spine comprising the steps of:
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introducing a device between a spinous process and another spinous process, which device includes a flexible wall which defines a cavity; and filling the cavity with a material; and
whereinthe introducing step uses an insertion tool and the introducing step includes placing the device over the insertion tool prior to introducing the device between the spinous process and the another spinous process.
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26. A method for relieving pain associated with the spine comprising the steps of:
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introducing a device relative to a spinous process and another spinous process which device is able to dampen relative motion between the spinous process and the another spinous process; and not connecting the device to either of the spinous process or the another spinous process; and
including the step offilling the device with a material after the introducing step.
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27. A method for relieving pain associated with the spine comprising the steps of:
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introducing a device relative to a spinous process and another spinous process which device is able to dampen relative motion between the spinous process and the another spinous process; and not connecting the device to either of the spinous process or the another spinous process; and
including the step offilling the device with a material after the introducing step in order to distract and/or maintain a distraction between the spinous process and the another spinous process.
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Specification