Articulating spinal implant

• US 7,727,263 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2007
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mis Ip Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: TranS1 Incorporated (Baxano Surgical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cragg, Andrew H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene; Pedro
• Application Number:
  US11/762,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20070233099A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 606/86.A, 606/80, 606/247, 606/248, 606/261, 606/262, 606/192, 606/180, 606/279, 606/249, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/279
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1642 for producing a curved bore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1703 using imaging means, e.g. by X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/72 Intramedullary pins, nails or other devices A61B17/744 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7258 with laterally expanding parts, e.g. for gripping the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8811 characterised by the introducer tip, i.e. the part inserted into or onto the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8816 characterised by the conduit, e.g. tube, along which fluid flows into the body or by conduit connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8888 at its central region
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/441 made of inflatable pockets or chambers filled with fluid, e.g. with hydrogel
• 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 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30075 swellable, e.g. when wetted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4495 having a fabric structure, e.g. made from wires or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0061 swellable

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and devices for accessing and treating the spine, while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue. A device is introduced through tissue, to an access point on the spine. The device is thereafter advanced axially within the spine, from the access point across a treatment zone. In one embodiment, the device comprises an articulating spinal implant comprising a first elongate segment, a second elongate segment, and an articulating joint between the first and second segments.

Claims

1. A method of treating the spine, comprising the steps of:

forming a dermal entry point by cutting an incision in skin less than 4 cm across;

forming an anterior percutaneous pathway extending from the dermal entry point through a presacral space to an anterior site on the anterior surface of the spine, the anterior percutaneous pathway configured for the introduction of at least one instrument to the anterior site on the anterior surface of the spine;

forming a lumen assisted by visualization of the spine from the anterior site on the anterior surface of the spine through a first vertebra, through a disc and axially into at least one additional vertebra; and

performing a procedure using the lumen.

2. A method of treating the spine as in claim 1, wherein the visualization is fluoroscopic.

3. A method of treating the spine as in claim 1, wherein the lumen extends at least as far as the L4 vertebrae.

4. A method of treating the spine, comprising the steps of:

forming a dermal entry point by cutting an incision in skin less than 4 cm long;

forming an anterior percutaneous pathway extending from the dermal entry point through a presacral space to an anterior site on the anterior surface of the spine, the anterior percutaneous pathway configured for the introduction of at least one instrument to the anterior site on the anterior surface of the spine;

forming a lumen assisted by visualization of the spine from a site on the anterior surface of a sacrum, through the sacrum and at least partially through a disc; and

performing a procedure using the lumen.

5. A method of treating the spine as in claim 4, wherein the visualization is fluoroscopic.

6. A method of treating the spine as in claim 4, wherein the procedure is a diagnostic procedure.

7. A method of treating the spine as in claim 4, wherein the procedure is a therapeutic procedure.

8. A method of treating the spine as in claim 4, wherein the forming step comprises drilling.

9. A method of treating the spine as in claim 7, wherein the procedure comprises removing at least a part of a disc.

10. A method of treating the spine as in claim 7, wherein the procedure comprises removing an entire nucleus.

11. A method of treating the spine as in claim 7, wherein the procedure further comprises inserting a fusion device.

12. A method of treating the spine as in claim 7, wherein the procedure comprises introducing a material.

13. A method of treating a spine, comprising the steps of:

forming a lumen from an access site on an anterior surface of a lumbosacral vertebra, through the lumbosacral vertebra through at least one disc and into at least one vertebra beyond the lumbosacral vertebra; and

positioning an elongate fusion device within the lumen, the elongate fusion device comprising an outwardly extending thread.

14. A method of treating the spine as in claim 13, wherein the fusion device has an external thread.

15. A method of treating the spine as in claim 13, wherein the fusion device comprises a side wall with a plurality of apertures therethrough.

16. A method of treating the spine as in claim 15, wherein the lumen extends at least as far as the L4 vertebrae.

17. A method of treating the spine as in claim 16, wherein the lumen is linear.

18. A method of treating the spine as in claim 15, wherein the procedure additionally comprises the step of removing at least a part of a disc.

19. A method of treating the spine as in claim 15, wherein the procedure additionally comprises the step of removing an entire nucleus.

20. A method of treating the spine as in claim 15, wherein the procedure additionally comprises the step of introducing a material into the lumen.

21. A method of treating the spine, comprising the steps of:

dilating tissue;

forming an anterior percutaneous pathway extending from the dermal entry point through a presacral space to an anterior site on the anterior surface of the spine, the anterior percutaneous pathway configured for the introduction of at least one instrument to the anterior site on the anterior surface of the spine;

forming a lumen assisted by visualization of the spine from the anterior site on the anterior surface of the spine through a first vertebra, through a disc and axially into at least one additional vertebra; and

positioning an elongate fusion device within the lumen, the elongate fusion device comprising at least one outwardly extending thread.