Expandable device for insertion between anatomical structures and a procedure utilizing same

• US 8,118,844 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2006
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Anderson, Kent M., Lange, Eric C., Trieu, Hai H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): MERENE, JAN CHRISTOP L
• Application Number:
  US11/409,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20070250060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,129 Days
• Field of Search: 623/17.12, 623/17.16, 623/17.11, 623/17.13, 623/17.14, 623/17.15, 606/61, 606/246, 606/248, 606/249, 606/279, 606/192, 604/103.03, 604/103.05
• US Class Current: 606/279
• 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 2017/00535 pneumatically or hydraulically operated A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence

Abstract

A surgical implantation procedure and device according to which an expandable member is inserted between anatomical structures, and is expanded into engagement with the structures. The expansion is terminated when the member is in engagement with the structures.

Claims

1. A surgical implantation procedure comprising:

applying a sleeve to an expandable member such that the sleeve overlaps a longitudinally-center portion of the expandable member to releasably retain the expandable member in a non-expanded condition with the expandable member having an arcuate collapsed shape inside the sleeve;

thereafter, inserting the expandable member, in the non-expanded condition, between first and second adjacent spinous processes;

expanding the expandable member subsequent to performing the inserting step by introducing fluid into the member via a fill tube associated with the expandable member while the expandable member is disposed within the sleeve;

releasing the sleeve from the inserted expandable member so that the expandable member expands between the first and second adjacent spinous processes;

terminating the step of expanding when the expandable member is in engagement with at least one of the first and second adjacent spinous processes.

2. The procedure of claim 1 wherein the step of expanding comprises inflating the expandable member.

3. The procedure of claim 1 wherein the expandable member is of a generally rectangular shape having two saddles disposed at each end to receive the first and second adjacent spinous processes.

4. The procedure of claim 1 wherein the step of releasing comprises manually removing the sleeve from the expandable member.

5. The procedure of claim 1 wherein the step of releasing comprises allowing the expandable member to break the sleeve during the expansion of the expandable member.

6. The procedure of claim 1 wherein the step of terminating occurs when the spinous processes are stabilized.

7. The procedure of claim 1 wherein the step of expanding causes movement of at least one of the spinous processes, and the step of terminating occurs when the spinous processes are stabilized in a predetermined spatial relationship.

8. The procedure of claim 1 wherein the fluid is taken from a group consisting of air, water, and a curable polymer.

9. The procedure of claim 1 wherein the step of inserting includes inserting the expandable member in the non-expanded condition between first and second spinous processes such that the expandable member in the non-expanded condition is approximately bilaterally centered across the first spinous process.

10. The procedure of claim 5 wherein the step of releasing the sleeve includes breaking the sleeve along at least one perforation extending along the sleeve.

11. A surgical implantation procedure comprising:

inserting a sleeve and an expandable member between first and second adjacent spinous processes, wherein, during the inserting step, the sleeve overlaps a longitudinally-center portion of the expandable member and releasably retains the expandable member in a non-expanded condition with the expandable member having an arcuate collapsed shape inside the sleeve;

expanding the expandable member to an expanded condition subsequent to performing the inserting step by introducing fluid into the member via a fill tube associated with the expandable member while the expandable member is disposed within the sleeve;

releasing the sleeve from the inserted expandable member so that the expandable member expands between the first and second adjacent spinous processes;

terminating the step of expanding when the expandable member is in engagement with at least one of the first and second adjacent spinous processes.