Systems and methods for posterior dynamic stabilization of the spine
First Claim
1. A method for stabilizing at least one spinal segment of a subject, the method comprising:
- moving a delivery instrument into the subject, wherein the delivery instrument is configured to drive an expandable device from an unexpanded configuration for delivery through at least a portion of the delivery istrument to an expanded configuration for stabilizing the at least one spinal segment, wherein the expandable device is configured to push apart superior spinous process of a superior vertebra and an inferior spinous process of an inferior vertebra a distance determined by operation of the delivery instrument;
positioning the expandable device between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process, the expandable device including a pair of superior apex portions, a superior engagement portion between the superior apex portions, a pair of inferior apex portions, and an inferior engagement portion between the inferior apex portions;
deploying the superior apex portions and the superior engagement portion such that the superior apex portions receive the superior spinous process and the superior engagement portion moves towards the superior spinous process;
deploying the inferior apex portions and the inferior engagement portion such that the inferior apex portions receive the inferior spinous process and the inferior engagement portion moves towards the inferior spinous process; and
separating the delivery instrument from the expandable device in the expanded configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer or member having an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the expandable member in an expanded configuration has a size, volume and/or shape configured for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae in order to distract the vertebrae relative to each other. The systems include one or more expandable members and an expansion medium for injection within or for filling the interior of the expandable member via the port. The methods involve the implantation of one or more devices or expandable spacers.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for stabilizing at least one spinal segment of a subject, the method comprising:
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moving a delivery instrument into the subject, wherein the delivery instrument is configured to drive an expandable device from an unexpanded configuration for delivery through at least a portion of the delivery istrument to an expanded configuration for stabilizing the at least one spinal segment, wherein the expandable device is configured to push apart superior spinous process of a superior vertebra and an inferior spinous process of an inferior vertebra a distance determined by operation of the delivery instrument; positioning the expandable device between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process, the expandable device including a pair of superior apex portions, a superior engagement portion between the superior apex portions, a pair of inferior apex portions, and an inferior engagement portion between the inferior apex portions; deploying the superior apex portions and the superior engagement portion such that the superior apex portions receive the superior spinous process and the superior engagement portion moves towards the superior spinous process; deploying the inferior apex portions and the inferior engagement portion such that the inferior apex portions receive the inferior spinous process and the inferior engagement portion moves towards the inferior spinous process; and separating the delivery instrument from the expandable device in the expanded configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for stabilizing at least one spinal segment, the method comprising:
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moving an interspinous device between a superior spinous process of the superior vertebra and an inferior spinous process of an inferior vertebra; and moving the interspinous device from a delivery configuration to a deployed H-shaped configuration using a delivery instrument operatively coupled to the interspinous device such that the interspinous device distracts the superior and inferior spinous processes based on an amount of expansion of the interspinous device controlled by the delivery instrument coupled to the interspinous device while the interspinous device in the deployed H-shaped configuration receives the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment comprising a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, the method comprising:
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positioning an interspinous device generally between a superior spinous process of the superior vertebra and an inferior spinous process of the inferior vertebra such that a pair of superior end portions of the interspinous device and a pair of inferior end portions of the interspinous device are positioned between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process; moving the superior end portions along opposing sides of the superior spinous process using a delivery instrument while a main body of the interspinous device is positioned between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process; moving the inferior end portions along opposing sides of the inferior spinous process using the delivery instrument while the main body of the interspinous device is positioned between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process; and after moving the superior and inferior end portions along the opposing sides of the respective superior and inferior spinous processes, decoupling the delivery instrument from the interspinous device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for stabilizing at least one spinal segment of a subject, the method comprising:
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positioning a deployable device between a superior spinous process of a superior vertebra and an inferior spinous process of an inferior vertebra, wherein the deployable device is configured to be expanded by a delivery instrument from an unexpanded configuration for delivery through at least a portion of the delivery instrument to an expanded configuration for stabilizing the at least one spinal segment; moving a pair of superior apex portions of the deployable device from a delivery position to a deployed position such that the superior spinous process is received between the superior apex portions; moving a pair of inferior apex portions of the deployable device from a delivery position to a deployed position such that the inferior spinous process is received between the inferior apex portions; and moving a superior engagement portion of the deployable device away from an inferior engagement portion of the deployable device such that the superior engagement portion contacts an inferior region of the superior spinous process and the inferior engagement portion contacts a superior region of the inferior spinous process to distract the superior and inferior spinous processes an amount determined by operation of the delivery instrument while the delivery instrument is couple to the deployable device, wherein the superior engagement portion is positioned between the superior apex portions, and wherein the inferior engagement portion is positioned between the inferior apex portions. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification