EXTENSION LIMITING DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE FOR THE SPINE

• US 20100114166A1
• Filed: 11/05/2008
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Europe SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kohm, Andrew, Malandain, Hugues F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,114,131 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7065 Devices with changeable shape, e.g. collapsible or having retractable arms to aid implantation; Tools therefor

Abstract

Medical devices and related methods for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a support member configured to be implanted at least partially in a space between adjacent spinous processes and an actuator coupled to the support member. The apparatus also includes an elongate retention member having a first end coupled to the actuator and a second end coupled to either the support member or the actuator. The actuator is configured to be rotated such that the first end moves from a first location at a first distance from the second end, to a second location at a second distance from the second end. At least a portion of the elongate retention member is disposed at a non-zero distance from an outer surface of the support member when the first end of the elongate retention member is at its second location.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a support member defining a longitudinal axis and configured to be implanted at least partially into a space between adjacent spinous processes;

an actuator coupled to the support member; and

an elongate retention member having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the actuator, the second end being coupled to one of the support member or the actuator,

the actuator configured to be rotated relative to the support member such that the second end of the elongate retention member maintains a longitudinal position and the first end of the elongate retention member moves from a first location in which the first end of the elongate retention member is at a first distance from the second end of the elongate retention member to a second location in which the first end of the elongate retention member is at a second distance from the second end of the elongate retention member, at least a portion of the elongate retention member being disposed at a non-zero distance from an outer surface of the support member when the first end of the elongate retention member is at its second location.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end of the elongate retention member is configured to move substantially parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the support member when moved between its first location and its second location.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end of the elongate retention member is configured to rotate substantially about a longitudinal centerline of the support member when moved between its first location and its second location.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end of the elongate retention member is configured to move along curved path when moved between its first location and its second location.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portion of the elongate retention member is disposed within an interior of the support member when the first end of the elongate retention member is in its first location.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate retention member is a first elongate retention member, the apparatus further comprising:

a second elongate retention member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second elongate retention member coupled to the actuator and configured to be moved from a first location in which the first end of the second elongate retention member is at a first distance from the second end of the second elongate retention member to a second location in which the first end of the second elongate retention member is at a second distance from the second end of the second elongate retention member, the first distance being non-zero and greater than the second distance and at least a portion of the second elongate retention member being disposed at a non-zero distance from an outer surface of the support member.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first distance is substantially equal to the second distance.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

9. A method, comprising:

disposing at least a portion of an implant in a space between adjacent spinous processes, the implant having a support member, an actuator coupled to the support member, and an elongate retention member having a first end and a second end, the second end of the elongate retention member being fixed to one of the support member or the actuator; and

rotating the actuator in a first direction relative to the support member such that the first end of the elongate retention member moves relative to the second end of the elongate retention member and the elongate retention member is moved to an expanded configuration.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein during the rotating, the first end of the elongate retention member is moved from a first location in which the first end of the elongate retention member is at a first distance from the second end of the elongate retention member to a second location in which the first end of the elongate retention member is at a second distance from the second end of the elongate retention member, the first distance being non-zero and greater than the second distance.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein when the elongate retention member is moved to the expanded configuration, at least a portion of the elongate retention member is moved through an opening in the support member and is disposed at a non-zero distance from an outer surface of the support member.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein when the elongate retention member is moved to the expanded configuration, at least a portion of the elongate retention member is moved through a curved path.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein during the rotating, the first end of the elongate retention member moves in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the support member.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the elongate retention member is a first elongate retention member, the implant including a second elongate retention member having a first end and a second end, the second end of the second elongate retention member being fixed to one of the support member or the actuator,

during the rotating the first end of the second elongate retention member moves relative to the second end of the second elongate retention member and the second elongate retention member is moved to an expanded configuration.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a support member configured to be disposed at least partially in a space between adjacent spinous processes; and

an actuator assembly including a first portion, a second portion and an elongate member,

the elongate member being moveably disposed at least partially within an interior region defined by the support member,

the second portion being disposed at a non-zero distance from the first portion,

the elongate member configured to be rotated relative to the support member such that the first portion moves substantially parallel to a centerline of the support member in a first direction, and the second portion moves substantially parallel to the centerline of the support member in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a retention portion of the apparatus is moved to an expanded configuration.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the retention portion is coupled to the support member.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the retention portion is formed monolithically with the support member.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the retention portion is a first retention portion, the apparatus further comprising:

a second retention portion,

the first portion of the actuator assembly being configured to engage the first retention portion to move the first retention portion to its expanded configuration when the elongate member is rotated,

the second portion of the actuator assembly being configured to engage the second retention portion to move the second retention portion to an expanded configuration when the elongate member is rotated.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the elongate member has first threaded portion including threads angled in a first direction and a second threaded portion including threads angled in a second direction opposite the first direction of the first threaded portion,

the first portion of the actuator assembly being configured to threadedly engage the first threaded portion and move relative to the elongate member in the first longitudinal direction as the elongate member is rotated,

the second portion of the actuator assembly being configured to threadedly engage the second threaded portion and move relative to the elongate member in the second longitudinal direction as the elongate member is rotated.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the retention portion includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the retention portion being fixedly coupled to the elongate member, the second end of the retention portion coupled to the first portion of the actuator assembly such that the second end of the retention portion moves with the first portion of the actuator assembly member relative to the elongate actuator as the elongate actuator is rotated.