Expandable rod system to treat scoliosis and method of using the same
First Claim
1. A method for treating scoliosis comprising:
- implanting an expandable telescoping rod subcutaneously within a subject, the expandable telescoping rod disposed on a posterior of the spine of the subject, wherein the expandable telescoping rod is in a curved state when it is secured to the spine, and configured to be implanted by securing a first end of the expandable telescoping rod at a first location on the subject'"'"'s spine and securing a second, opposing end of the expandable telescoping rod at a second location on the subject'"'"'s spine, the expandable telescoping rod comprising a hollow outer sleeve and an inner sleeve coaxially disposed in the outer sleeve along a common longitudinal axis and wherein the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve are configured to limit rotational movement between the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve, the expandable telescoping rod further comprising an energy receiving element disposed on or in one of the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve, wherein the energy receiving element is configured to convert energy received by the energy receiving element from an external hand-held device located near the subject to telescopic movement of the expandable telescoping rod, and wherein the external hand-held device is configured to convey energy to the energy receiving element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Correction of a scoliotic curve in a spine comprises the steps of implanting an expanding rod isolated completely under the skin and attached to selected portions of the scoliotic curve of the spine at opposing ends of the rod; and producing a controlled force by means of expansion of the rod over at an extended time period under external control until a desire spinal curve is obtained. An incremental force is generated to stretch the scoliotic curve of the spine between the selected portions where attachment of the rod is defined. The controlled force is provided steadily for at least one month or alternatively 1-3 months. Multiple rods may be employed each associated with a different scoliotic curve of the spine or a different portion of the scoliotic curve.
170 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for treating scoliosis comprising:
implanting an expandable telescoping rod subcutaneously within a subject, the expandable telescoping rod disposed on a posterior of the spine of the subject, wherein the expandable telescoping rod is in a curved state when it is secured to the spine, and configured to be implanted by securing a first end of the expandable telescoping rod at a first location on the subject'"'"'s spine and securing a second, opposing end of the expandable telescoping rod at a second location on the subject'"'"'s spine, the expandable telescoping rod comprising a hollow outer sleeve and an inner sleeve coaxially disposed in the outer sleeve along a common longitudinal axis and wherein the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve are configured to limit rotational movement between the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve, the expandable telescoping rod further comprising an energy receiving element disposed on or in one of the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve, wherein the energy receiving element is configured to convert energy received by the energy receiving element from an external hand-held device located near the subject to telescopic movement of the expandable telescoping rod, and wherein the external hand-held device is configured to convey energy to the energy receiving element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for treating scoliosis comprising:
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positioning an external hand-held device near a subject within which an expandable telescoping rod has been implanted subcutaneously, the expandable telescoping rod disposed on a posterior of the spine of the subject, wherein the expandable telescoping rod is in a curved state when it is secured to the spine, and configured to be implanted by securing a first end of the expandable telescoping rod at a first location on the subject'"'"'s spine and securing a second, opposing end of the expandable telescoping rod at a second location on the subject'"'"'s spine, the expandable telescoping rod comprising a hollow outer sleeve and an inner sleeve coaxially disposed in the outer sleeve along a common longitudinal axis and wherein the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve are configured to limit rotational movement between the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve; and conveying energy from the external hand-held device to an energy receiving element disposed on or in one of the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve such that the conveyed energy received by the energy receiving element causes telescopic movement of the expandable telescoping rod. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for treating scoliosis comprising:
supplying an expandable telescoping rod configured to be implanted subcutaneously within a subject, the expandable telescoping rod disposed on a posterior of the spine of the subject, wherein the expandable telescoping rod is in a curved state when it is secured to the spine, and configured to be implanted by securing a first end of the expandable telescoping rod at a first location on the subject'"'"'s spine and securing a second, opposing end of the expandable telescoping rod at a second location on the subject'"'"'s spine, the expandable telescoping rod comprising a hollow outer sleeve and an inner sleeve coaxially disposed in the outer sleeve along a common longitudinal axis and wherein the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve are configured to limit rotational movement between the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve, the expandable telescoping rod further comprising an energy receiving element disposed on or in one of the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve, wherein the energy receiving element is configured to convert energy received by the energy receiving element from an external hand-held device located near the subject to telescopic movement of the expandable telescoping rod, and wherein the external hand-held device is configured to convey energy to the energy receiving element. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for treating scoliosis comprising:
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supplying an expandable telescoping rod configured to be implanted subcutaneously within a subject, the expandable telescoping rod disposed on a posterior of the spine of the subject, wherein the expandable telescoping rod is in a curved state when it is secured to the spine, and configured to be implanted by securing a first end of the expandable telescoping rod at a first location on the subject'"'"'s spine and securing a second, opposing end of the expandable telescoping rod at a second location on the subject'"'"'s spine, the expandable telescoping rod comprising a hollow outer sleeve and an inner sleeve coaxially disposed in the outer sleeve along a common longitudinal axis and wherein the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve are configured to limit rotational movement between the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve, the expandable telescoping rod further comprising an energy receiving element disposed on or in one of the hollow outer sleeve and inner sleeve, wherein the energy receiving element is configured to convert energy received by the energy receiving element from an external hand-held device to telescopic movement of the expandable telescoping rod; and supplying the external hand-held device configured to be located near the subject and convey energy from the external hand-held device to the energy receiving element. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification