Spine distraction implant

• US 6,699,247 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2001
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: St. Francis Medical Technologies, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Klyce, Henry A., Zucherman, James F., Winslow, Charles J., Hsu, Ken Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): REIP, DAVID OWEN
• Application Number:
  US09/842,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 606/60, 606/61, 606/63, 606/68, 606/72, 606/76, 606/78, 623/17.11
• US Class Current: 606/86.00A
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
• 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 17/7068 Devices comprising separate rigid parts, assembled in situ, to bear on each side of spinous processes; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7071 Implants for expanding or repairing the vertebral arch or wedged between laminae or pedicles; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0256 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/37 Coumarins, e.g. psoralen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/91 Polymer

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.

Claims

1. An implant system for relieving pain associated with at least one of the spine, and associated tissues and structures, which implant is positionable between adjacent spinous processes of the spine, the implant system comprising:

a sleeve which is inwardly deflectable, which sleeve is adapted to be positionable between two adjacent spinous processes;

wherein said sleeve has first and second ends, a longitudinal axis, and at least one flexible wire which is positioned through the sleeve and said wire having portions which extends out both of said first end and said second end; and

wherein said portions of said flexible wire being non-parallel to said longitudinal axis.

2. An implant system for relieving pain associated with at least one of a spine, and associated tissues and structures, comprising:

a sleeve having a continuous surface and an inwardly deflectable cross-section, the sleeve being adapted to be positionable between two adjacent spinous processes.

3. The implant of claim 2, wherein the sleeve has a first end and a second end.

4. The implant of claim 3, further comprising:

at least one flexible wire positioned through the sleeve;

wherein the at least one flexible wire includes a portion which extends from at least one of the first end and the second end, such that the at least one flexible wire can prevent the sleeve from being displaced from between the two adjacent spinous processes.

5. The implant of claim 2, wherein the sleeve is comprised of a super-elastic alloy of nickel and titanium.

6. The implant of claim 2, wherein the sleeve is comprised of a material which can absorb about 8% recoverable elongation.