EXPANDABLE SUPPORT DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE
First Claim
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1. A method of performing surgery comprising:
- accessing a bone structure;
forming an opening into the bone structure;
inserting an expandable implant having a body having a length, width and height defining a substantially hollow interior, the implant comprising sliding wedges, the implant further comprising at least one set of first struts defining one of said height or width, said first set of struts being substantially deformable under expansion force to alter a dimension of the implant, the first struts having a first, unexpanded configuration and a second expanded configuration, the implant increasing in dimension in the direction of expansion of said first struts;
expanding the implant to deform the first set of struts, thereby expanding the implant within bone, wherein expanding the implant comprises sliding the wedges relative to each other, and wherein expanding the implant comprises exerting a longitudinal compression force on the wedges; and
filling the interior of the implant with a filler, wherein the filler comprises bone cement.
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Abstract
An expandable support device for tissue repair is disclosed. The device can be used to repair hard or soft tissue, such as bone or vertebral discs. A method of repairing tissue is also disclosed. The device and method can be used to treat compression fractures. The compression fractures can be in the spine. The device can be deployed by compressing the device longitudinally resulting in radial expansion.
26 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method of performing surgery comprising:
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accessing a bone structure; forming an opening into the bone structure; inserting an expandable implant having a body having a length, width and height defining a substantially hollow interior, the implant comprising sliding wedges, the implant further comprising at least one set of first struts defining one of said height or width, said first set of struts being substantially deformable under expansion force to alter a dimension of the implant, the first struts having a first, unexpanded configuration and a second expanded configuration, the implant increasing in dimension in the direction of expansion of said first struts; expanding the implant to deform the first set of struts, thereby expanding the implant within bone, wherein expanding the implant comprises sliding the wedges relative to each other, and wherein expanding the implant comprises exerting a longitudinal compression force on the wedges; and filling the interior of the implant with a filler, wherein the filler comprises bone cement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for deploying in an intervertebral placement between a first vertebra and a second adjacent vertebra, comprising:
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accessing the space between two vertebrae; positioning the expandable device between the two vertebrae, wherein positioning comprises positioning the expandable implant in the disc space; inserting an expandable implant having a body having a length, width and height defining a substantially hollow interior, the implant further including at least one set of first struts defining one of said height or width, said first set of struts being substantially deformable under expansion force to alter a dimension of the implant, the first struts having a first, unexpanded configuration and a second expanded configuration, the implant increasing in dimension in the direction of expansion of said first struts; expanding the implant to deform the first set of struts, thereby expanding the implant between the two vertebrae; and filling with expandable implant with a bone growth promoting material.
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Specification