Skeletal adjustment device

• US 8,641,723 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2011
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Orthonex, LLC
• Original Assignee: Orthonex, LLC
• Inventors: Connor, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MERENE, JAN CHRISTOP L
• Application Number:
  US13/134,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20110301645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 983 Days
• Field of Search: 606/57, 606/63, 606/105, 606/251, 606/252, 606/258, 606/58, 606/282, 606/90
• US Class Current: 606/105
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7016 electric or electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7017 pneumatic or hydraulic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00539 hydraulically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00553 using a turbine

Abstract

This invention is an implantable device that enables non-invasive post-operative adjustment of the motion dynamics between two members of the human skeletal system. It may be used for dynamic stabilization of the spine. This device includes: a flowable substance; a reservoir implanted into the human body that contains this flowable substance wherein movement of moving portions of this reservoir causes the flowable substance to flow; and an energy-transducing mechanism wherein this mechanism transduces energy from a flow of the flowable substance into changes in the motion dynamics between the two members of the human skeletal system. This device may be used for: (1) non-invasive post-implantation customization of the device to reduce back pain for a particular patient; (2) non-invasive gradual adjustment of the device to correct spinal deformities; and (3) real-time adjustment to optimize spinal motion dynamics as the patent engages in different activities.

Claims

1. A device to change the distance between a first member of the human skeletal system and a second member of the human skeletal system, comprising:

a flowable substance, wherein this substance is a liquid, gas, or gel;

reservoir, wherein this reservoir contains the flowable substance wherein this reservoir is configured to be implanted into the human body, and wherein movement of a moving portion of this reservoir causes the flowable substance to flow;

a turbine, wherein this turbine is configured to be implanted into the human body, and wherein this turbine is rotated by a flow of the flowable substance;

a pair of thread-engaged members, wherein this pair of thread-engaged members is configured to be implanted into the human body, wherein rotation of a first thread-engaged member relative to a second thread-engaged member changes the distance that these members span together, and wherein changes in the distance that these members span together change the distance between a first member of the human skeletal system and a second member of the human skeletal system; and

a gear sequence that transduces rotation of the turbine into rotation of a first thread-engaged member relative to a second thread-engaged member, wherein this gear sequence decreases the magnitude of rotational movement when transducing rotational movement from the turbine to the first thread-engaged member.

2. The device in claim 1 wherein the reservoir is selected from the group consisting of:

a bladder;

a sack;

a bulb;

a balloon;

a disk;

a tube;

a hollow mesh;

a layer with multiple bubbles or cells; and

a chamber with telescoping or pleated walls.

3. The device in claim 1 wherein the moving portions of the reservoir is moved by movement of an object external to the human body relative to the reservoir.

4. The device in claim 1 wherein the operation of the device is controlled by a control unit outside the human body, wherein this control unit controls the activation, degree, and/or direction of the transduction of energy from the flow of the flowable substance into changes in the distance between one member of the human skeletal system and a second member of the human skeletal system.

5. A device to change the distance between a first member of the human spine and a second member of the human spine, comprising:

a flowable substance, wherein this substance is a liquid, gas, or gel;

a reservoir, wherein this reservoir contains the flowable substance wherein this reservoir is configured to be implanted into the human body, and wherein movement of a moving portion of this reservoir causes the flowable substance to flow;

a turbine, wherein this turbine is configured to be implanted into the human body, and wherein this turbine is rotated by a flow of the flowable substance;

a pair of thread-engaged members, wherein this pair of thread-engaged members is configured to be implanted into the human body, wherein rotation of a first thread-engaged member relative to a second thread-engaged member changes the distance that these members span together, and wherein changes in the distance that these members span together change the distance between a first member of the human spine and a second member of the human spine; and

a gear sequence that transduces rotation of the turbine into rotation of the first thread-engaged member relative to the second thread-engaged member, wherein this gear sequence decreases the magnitude of rotational movement when transducing rotational movement from the turbine to the first thread-engaged member.

6. The device in claim 5 wherein the operation of the device is controlled by a control unit outside the human body, wherein this control unit controls the activation, degree, and/or direction of the transduction of energy from the flow of the flowable substance into changes in the distance between one member of the human spine and a second member of the human spine.