Articulating spinal implant

• US 7,744,599 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2007
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• 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:
  US11/762,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20070233260A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 606/279, 606/86.R, 606/86.A, 606/247, 604/500, 604/506, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/86.00R
• 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 augmenting the spine, comprising the steps of:

providing an elongate catheter, having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending at least partially therethrough;

advancing the distal end of the catheter in a cephalad direction substantially axially with respect to the spine at least partially through at least a portion of a previously created bore in the anterior surface of at least one vertebral body, the bore in fluid communication with at least one disc;

expressing at least a first media from the catheter into the spine; and

removing the catheter from the spine.

2. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 1, wherein the advancing step comprises advancing the distal end through at least one vertebral body.

3. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 1, wherein the first media comprises a nucleus augmentation material.

4. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 1, wherein the expressing step comprises delivering electricity.

5. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 1, further comprising the step of introducing a spinal fusion cage axially into the spine.

6. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 1, wherein the advancing step comprises advancing the catheter through an artificial lumen created axially through the spine.

7. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 6, further comprising the step of forming the lumen prior to the advancing step.

8. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 6, further comprising the step of forming the lumen simultaneously with the advancing step.

9. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 8, wherein the providing step comprises providing a catheter having a cutting tip on the distal end.

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

advancing a distal end of a device through an access site on the anterior surface of the spine and into the spine;

further advancing the device in a cephalad direction substantially axially with respect to the spine and at least partially across a treatment zone;

expressing a material from the device within the treatment zone; and

releasing at least a portion of the device within the spine.

11. A method of treating the spine as in claim 10, wherein the access site is on the sacrum.

12. A method of treating the spine as in claim 10, wherein the access site is on the lumbar spine.

13. A method of treating the spine as in claim 10, wherein the access site is on the thoracic spine.

14. A method of treating the spine as in claim 10, wherein the further advancing step comprises advancing the device along a linear path through the spine.

15. A method of treating the spine as in claim 10, wherein the expressing step comprises expressing the material into a nucleus of a disk.

16. A method of treating the spine as in claim 10, wherein the material is a bone growth material.

17. A method of treating the spine as in claim 10, wherein the material is a bone cement.