Selectively expanding spine cage, hydraulically controllable in three dimensions for enhanced spinal fusion
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for providing spinal correction, comprising:
- a. providing an interbody implant havingi. a base comprising a cylinder block defining at least two cylinders and a first pressure applying, bone engaging surface;
ii. first and second hydraulically actuatable pistons, one each extendably disposed in one said cylinder;
iii. a pressure applying member having a second pressure applying, bone engaging surface coupled to at least one of the first and second pistons opposite the first bone engaging surface;
b. removing at least part of a spinal disc between two of the patient'"'"'s vertebral bodies;
c. inserting the interbody implant between the two vertebral bodies with the first pressure applying surface of the base engaging a surface of one of the two vertebral bodies;
d. hydraulically extending the pistons so that the pressure applying member coupled to at least one of the first and second extendable members engages a surface of the second vertebral body and supports the second engaged vertebral body in a desired position; and
e. further comprising locking the pistons in an extended configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. Hydraulic extension of extendable members permit the cage to conformably engage between vertebral bodies to effectively distract the disc space and rigidly fix the spine.
201 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for providing spinal correction, comprising:
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a. providing an interbody implant having i. a base comprising a cylinder block defining at least two cylinders and a first pressure applying, bone engaging surface; ii. first and second hydraulically actuatable pistons, one each extendably disposed in one said cylinder; iii. a pressure applying member having a second pressure applying, bone engaging surface coupled to at least one of the first and second pistons opposite the first bone engaging surface; b. removing at least part of a spinal disc between two of the patient'"'"'s vertebral bodies; c. inserting the interbody implant between the two vertebral bodies with the first pressure applying surface of the base engaging a surface of one of the two vertebral bodies; d. hydraulically extending the pistons so that the pressure applying member coupled to at least one of the first and second extendable members engages a surface of the second vertebral body and supports the second engaged vertebral body in a desired position; and e. further comprising locking the pistons in an extended configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, 25)
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15. A method for providing spinal correction, comprising:
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a. providing an interbody implant having i. a base including a first pressure applying, bone engaging surface; ii. first and second extendable members cooperating with the base; iii. a pressure applying member having a second pressure applying, bone engaging surface coupled to at least one of the first and second extendable members; b. removing at least part of a spinal disc between two of the patient'"'"'s vertebral bodies; c. inserting the interbody implant between the two vertebral bodies with the first pressure applying surface of the base engaging a surface of one of the two vertebral bodies; and d. extending the first and second extendable members so that the pressure applying member coupled to at least one of the first and second extendable members engages a surface of the second vertebral body and supports the second engaged vertebral body in a desired position; wherein the extendable members are locked in the extended configuration to maintain the desired spinal correction; and wherein the extendable members are locked in the extended configuration by hydraulic fluid employed to extend the extendable members. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for providing spinal correction, comprising:
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a. providing an interbody implant having i. a base including a first pressure applying, bone engaging surface; ii. first and second extendable members cooperating with the base; iii. a pressure applying member having a second pressure applying, bone engaging surface coupled to at least one of the first and second extendable members; b. removing at least part of a spinal disc between two of the patient'"'"'s vertebral bodies; c. inserting the interbody implant between the two vertebral bodies with the first pressure applying surface of the base engaging a surface of one of the two vertebral bodies; and d. extending the first and second extendable members so that the pressure applying member coupled to at least one of the first and second extendable members engages a surface of the second vertebral body and supports the second engaged vertebral body in a desired position; wherein bone graft material is provide through an aperture in the base member to facilitate infusion of bone graft material into an intervertebral space.
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18. A method for providing spinal correction, comprising:
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a. providing an interbody implant having i. a base including a first bone engaging surface; ii. first and second extendable members cooperating with the base and defining a cavity therebetween opening through the base; iii. a pressure applying member having a second bone engaging surface coupled to at least one of the first and second extendable members; b. removing at least part of a spinal disc between two of the patient'"'"'s vertebral bodies to form an intervertebral space; c. inserting the interbody implant into the intervertebral space with the first bone engaging surface of the base engaging a surface of one of the two vertebral bodies; and d. extending the first and second extendable members so that the second bone engaging engages a surface of the second vertebral body and supports the second engaged vertebral body in a desired position; e. disposing an osteoconductive material in said cavity between the two extendable members communicating with the intervertebral space. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method for rigid fixation of spinal vertebrae, comprising:
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hydraulically distracting two opposed vertebral bodies, including placing at least one hydraulically extendable member between the two vertebral bodies, to position said bodies in a distracted location with respect to each other; and rigidly fixing the vertebral body in the distracted location; wherein said placing at least one hydraulically extendable member comprises removing at least part of a spinal disc between the two vertebral bodies; and inserting an implant between the two vertebral bodies, the implant comprising a base comprising a cylinder block defining at least two cylinders and a first bone engaging surface, at least two hydraulically actuatable pistons, one each extendably disposed within one said cylinder, and a pressure applying member having a second bone engaging surface coupled to the pistons opposite the first bone engaging surface. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification