Dynamized interspinal implant

• US 9,402,654 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2015
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Serhan, Hassan
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Pedro
• Assistant Examiner(s): Comstock, David C
• Application Number:
  US14/845,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20160000476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 606246-249, 606/279, 606/102, 623/17.11, 623/17.13, 623/17.15, 623/17.16, 623/24
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/7065 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 2017/00075 Motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00964 composite
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/567 Joint mechanisms or joint supports in addition to the natural joints and outside the joint gaps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/681 Alignment, compression, or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4405 for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/482 Electrical means

Abstract

An interspinous process implant for insertion between adjacent spinous processes, the implant having a flexible body having i) an upper posterior portion having an upper surface adapted to bear upon an upper spinous process, ii) a lower posterior portion having a lower surface adapted to bear upon a lower spinous process, and iii) an arcuate, flexible anterior wall connecting the upper and lower portions, wherein the anterior wall has a narrowed portion.

Claims

1. A method for post-operatively adjusting an implant that has been surgically implanted with at least one portion posterior to a patient'"'"'s spinal cord, the implant including a sensor capable of determining a change in the physical surroundings of the implant, comprising:

post-operatively analyzing by the sensor of the physical surroundings of the implant, wherein analyzing the physical surroundings of the implant includes analyzing the patient'"'"'s motion;

post-operatively determining by the sensor of a significant change in the physical surroundings of the implant; and

post-operatively adjusting a characteristic of the implant in response to the determined significant change in the physical surroundings of the implant, wherein adjusting a characteristic of the implant results in an alleviation of the patient'"'"'s pain.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting a characteristic of the implant includes providing an electric stimulus.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is contained within the implant.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of reporting data analyzed by the sensor to an ex vivo source.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of reporting is performed by a reporter contained within the implant.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of implanting the implant proximate to the patient'"'"'s spinal cord so as to alleviate pain.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is a spinal implant.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is contained within the implant.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of reporting data analyzed by the sensor to an ex vivo source.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of reporting is performed by a reporter contained within the implant.

8. A method for post-operatively adjusting an implant that has been surgically implanted with at least one portion posterior to a patient'"'"'s spinal cord, the implant including a sensor capable of determining a change in the physical surroundings of the implant, comprising:

post-operatively analyzing by the sensor of the physical surroundings of the implant wherein analyzing the physical surroundings of the implant includes analyzing the patient'"'"'s motion;

post-operatively determining by the sensor of a significant change in the physical surroundings of the implant; and

post-operatively providing an electric stimulus in response to the significant change in the physical surroundings of the implant, wherein providing an electric stimulus results in an alleviation of the patient'"'"'s pain.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the implant is a spinal implant.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of implanting the implant proximate to the patient'"'"'s spinal cord so as to alleviate pain.