Expandable device for insertion between anatomical structures and a procedure utilizing same
First Claim
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1. A surgical implantation procedure comprising:
- while a spacer having an expandable member is disposed external to a patient, introducing a first fluid into the expandable member until the expandable member expands to a predetermined size corresponding to a predetermined spatial relation between adjacent spinous processes;
removing at least a portion of the first fluid from the expandable member to cause the expandable member to retract;
after removing the at least a portion of the first fluid, inserting the expandable member between the spinous processes;
thereafter, introducing a curable second fluid into the expandable member while the expandable member is disposed between the spinous processes;
wherein the curable second fluid is introduced in an amount that causes the expandable member to re-expand to the predetermined size;
allowing the curable second fluid to cure while the expandable member is disposed between the spinous processes.
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Abstract
A surgical implantation procedure and a device for performing same according to which an expandable member is inserted between anatomical structures and expanded in one plane to cause relative movement between the structures. The expansion is terminated when the structures are in a predetermined spatial relationship.
257 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A surgical implantation procedure comprising:
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while a spacer having an expandable member is disposed external to a patient, introducing a first fluid into the expandable member until the expandable member expands to a predetermined size corresponding to a predetermined spatial relation between adjacent spinous processes; removing at least a portion of the first fluid from the expandable member to cause the expandable member to retract; after removing the at least a portion of the first fluid, inserting the expandable member between the spinous processes; thereafter, introducing a curable second fluid into the expandable member while the expandable member is disposed between the spinous processes;
wherein the curable second fluid is introduced in an amount that causes the expandable member to re-expand to the predetermined size;allowing the curable second fluid to cure while the expandable member is disposed between the spinous processes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A surgical implantation procedure comprising:
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inserting an expandable member between two adjacent spinous processes; introducing a first fluid into the expandable member such that the expandable member expands while being disposed between the adjacent spinous processes; removing at least a portion of the first fluid from the expandable member to cause the expandable member to retract; thereafter, introducing a curable second fluid into the expandable member to thereby cause the expandable member to re-expand while the expandable member is disposed between the spinous processes; and allowing the curable second fluid to cure while the expandable member is disposed between the spinous processes. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification