Spine distraction implant and method

• US 8,216,277 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2009
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Zucherman, James F., Hsu, Ken Y., Fallin, T. Wade, Klyce, Henry A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Kevin T
• Assistant Examiner(s): SEVILLA, CHRISTIAN ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US12/632,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20100082108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 606/248, 606/249
• US Class Current: 606/249
• 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 for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• 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 for maintaining a space between adjacent spinous processes, the implant comprising:

a body comprising a first wing and a spacer, the spacer sized to define a minimum distance between adjacent spinous processes of a human spine when implanted therein;

the spacer having a longitudinal axis and a groove therein extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis;

the first wing extending from a first end of the spacer and disposed generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

a second wing detachably securable to the spacer proximate a second end of the spacer;

the second wing comprising a bore, a cutout, and a tab;

wherein, when the second wing is secured to the spacer;

the bore extends generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spacer;

the cutout receives the spacer;

the tab engages the groove of the spacer;

the second wing extends transverse to the longitudinal axis;

a screw positioned in the bore of the second wing to secure the second wing to the spacer;

wherein the first wing, the spacer, and the second wing cooperate to form first and second generally oppositely facing saddles for receiving adjacent spinous processes when the second wing is secured to the spacer; and

wherein a width of first saddle and a width of the second saddle are variable based on the position of the second wing relative to the first wing.

2. The implant of claim 1 wherein the tab is formed in the cutout.