Expandable orthopedic device
First Claim
1. A device for stabilizing bone, comprising:
- an elongate body having first and second end regions defining a longitudinal axis therebetween;
a plurality of splines extending from the first end region, the splines comprising first ends coupled to the first end region, and second ends disposed away from the first end region, the second ends of the splines being directable from a generally axial collapsed state to a substantially transverse expanded state;
a plurality of support arms coupled to the splines; and
an actuator coupled to the support arms, the actuator movable axially relative to the elongate body for causing the support arms to direct the second ends of the splines from the collapsed state to the expanded state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for stabilizing bone includes a tubular body having first and second end regions defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. A plurality of splines extend from the first end region, the splines including first ends coupled to the first end region, and second ends disposed away from the first end region, the second ends being directable from a generally axial collapsed state to a substantially transverse expanded state. A plurality of support arms are coupled to the splines, and an actuator is coupled to the support arms, the actuator movable axially relative to the elongate body for causing the support arms to direct the second ends of the splines from the collapsed state to the expanded state. Optionally, the device includes another set of splines extending from the second end region or located at an intermediate region of the tubular body.
562 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A device for stabilizing bone, comprising:
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an elongate body having first and second end regions defining a longitudinal axis therebetween;
a plurality of splines extending from the first end region, the splines comprising first ends coupled to the first end region, and second ends disposed away from the first end region, the second ends of the splines being directable from a generally axial collapsed state to a substantially transverse expanded state;
a plurality of support arms coupled to the splines; and
an actuator coupled to the support arms, the actuator movable axially relative to the elongate body for causing the support arms to direct the second ends of the splines from the collapsed state to the expanded state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for making a device for stabilizing bone, comprising:
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providing an elongate tubular body including first and second end regions defining a longitudinal axis therebetween;
forming splines in the first end region, the splines having first ends remaining attached to the first end region of the tubular body and second ends disposed axially relative to the first ends, the second ends being freely movable relative to the tubular body;
forming support arms in the splines, the support arms having first ends that are freely movable relative to the splines and second ends remaining attached to the splines; and
coupling the first ends of the support arms to an actuator, the actuator being movable axially relative to the tubular body for directing the second ends of the splines transversely outward relative to the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
inserting the elongate member into an axial lumen in the tubular body;
threading the first collar over the elongate member until the collar is proximate the first ends of the support arms; and
coupling the first ends of the support arms to the first collar.
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21. The method of claim 20, wherein the tubular body comprises a threaded portion within the lumen, and wherein the step of inserting the elongate member comprises threading a threaded region of the elongate member into the threaded portion of the tubular body.
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22. The method of claim 21, further comprising forming splines and support arms on at least one of the second end region of the tubular body and an intermediate region of the tubular body.
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23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
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threading a second collar over the elongate member until the second collar is proximate the support arms on the second end region of the tubular body; and
coupling the support arms on the second end region to the second collar.
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24. A device for stabilizing bone, comprising:
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an elongate body having proximal and distal end regions defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, and an intermediate region between the proximal and distal end regions;
a first plurality of splines extending from the proximal end region, the splines being directable from a generally axial collapsed state to a substantially transverse expanded state;
a second plurality of splines extending from a region of the elongate body distal to the proximal end region, the splines being directable from a generally axial collapsed state to a substantially transverse expanded state;
first and second pluralities of support arms coupled to the first and second plurality of splines, respectively; and
an actuator coupled to the support arms, the actuator movable axially relative to the elongate body for causing the first and second pluralities of support arms to direct the splines between the collapsed and expanded states. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
an elongate member received within the lumen; and
first and second collars coupled to the elongate member and to the first and second pluralities of support arms, respectively, wherein rotation of the elongate member relative to the tubular shaft causes the first and second collar to move axially, thereby causing the first and second pluralities of support arms to direct the splines between the collapsed and expanded states.
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26. The device of claim 25, wherein the second plurality of splines extend distally from the distal end region of the tubular shaft.
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27. The device of claim 26, wherein the elongate member comprises first and second threaded regions having threads patterns that are opposite hand relative to one another, and wherein the first and second collars are threadably coupled to the first and second threaded regions, respectively.
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28. The device of claim 24, wherein the second plurality of splines are located on the intermediate region of the elongate body.
Specification