SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POSTERIOR DYNAMIC STABILIZATION OF THE SPINE

• US 20170156763A1
• Filed: 09/19/2016
• Published: 06/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Inventors: Altarac, Moti, Flaherty, J. Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 10,058,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• 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 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer having an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the spacer has axial and radial dimensions for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The systems include one or more spacers and a mechanical actuation means for delivering and deploying the spacer. The methods involve the implantation of one or more spacers within the interspinous space.

Claims

1. A device for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment comprising a first vertebra having a first spinous process and a second vertebra having a second spinous process, the device comprising:

A helical body having a cross-sectional shape that varies along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis,

Such that the helical body has an undeployed configuration with an axial dimension and a radial dimension substantially transverse to the axial dimension, and a deployed configuration having an axial dimension and a radial dimension substantially transverse to the axial dimension;

wherein the radial dimension of at least a portion of the helical body in the undeployed configuration is less than the radial dimension of at least a portion of the helical body in the deployed configuration.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the axial dimension of the undeployed configuration is greater than the axial dimension in the deployed configuration.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the helical body is coupled to a tip.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device in the undeployed configuration has a cylindrical shape.

5. The device of claim 1. wherein the cross-sectional shape of the helical body varies smoothly.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the helical body varies continuously.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a tip disposed adjacent to and distal to a distal end of the helical body, and further comprising a shaft disposed adjacent to and proximal of a proximal end of the helical body, wherein each turn of the helical body has a distal edge and a proximal edge, and wherein the angle formed between the distal edge of a distal turn of the helical body and the tip is substantially zero, and wherein the angle formed between the proximal edge of a proximal turn of the helical body and the shaft is substantially zero.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein in the deployed configuration a turn of the helical body has a maximal radial dimension, and wherein the angle of each distal and proximal edge, on each side of the turn with the maximal radial dimension, excepting the proximal edge of the proximal turn and the distal edge of the distal turn, has the same sign.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the proximal edge and the distal edge of the turn with the maximal radial dimension in the deployed configuration have opposite signs.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a threaded shaft assembly coupled to the helical body, such that rotation of the threaded shaft assembly causes the deployment or undeployment of the helical body.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a ratchet assembly and catch coupled to the helical body, such that movement of the catch relative to the ratchet assembly causes the deployment of the helical body.

12. The device of claim 10, further comprising a release mechanism within the threaded shaft assembly, to allow removal of a portion of the threaded shaft assembly following deployment.

13. The device of claim 11, further comprising a release mechanism within the ratchet assembly, to allow removal of a portion of the ratchet assembly following deployment.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the helical body has a recess formed therein for engaging a spinal segment.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the helical body includes a plurality of helical segments, and wherein at least one helical segment has a projection for engaging an adjacent helical segment.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the helical body includes a covering.

17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a drive module coupled to the helical body, such that operation of the drive module causes the deployment of the helical body.

18. A system for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment comprising a first vertebra having a first spinous process and a second vertebra having a second spinous process and an interspinous space defined between the first and second spinous processes, the system comprising:

the device of claim 1; and

a device for delivering the device in the undeployed configuration within the interspinous processes and for radially expanding the device from the undeployed configuration to the deployed configuration.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the device s configured for delivery by the delivery device through a midline incision.

20. A method for stabilizing a vertebra relative o another vertebra wherein the vertebrae define an interspinous space therebetween, the method comprising:

introducing the device of claim 1 within the interspinous space when in the undeployed configuration; and

radially expanding the device to selectively distract the spinous processes.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising forming an incision along the midline above the interspinous space, wherein the introducing the interspinous device comprises inserting the device within the midline

22. A device for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment comprising a first vertebra having a first spinous process and a second vertebra having a second spinous process, the device comprising:

A body comprising at least two segments that engage each other along a surface, such that a force along an axis between the two segments causes one or both of the segments to move in a direction with a component perpendicular to the axis;

Such that the body has an undeployed configuration with an axial dimension and a radial dimension substantially transverse to the axial dimension, and a deployed configuration having an axial dimension and a radial dimension substantially transverse to the axial dimension;

wherein the radial dimension of at least a portion of the helical body in the undeployed configuration is less than the radial dimension of at least a portion of the body in the deployed configuration.