Multi-chamber expandable interspinous process spacer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An expandable interspinous process spacer comprising:
- an outer chamber formed of an expandable material, the outer chamber having a generally H-shape in both a relatively smaller deflated configuration and a relatively larger inflated configuration, wherein the H-shape includes first and second spinous process-receiving notches;
a theoretical axis extending from the first spinous process-receiving notch to the second spinous process-receiving notch;
an inner expandable chamber disposed within and generally surrounded by the outer chamber, the inner expandable chamber disposed entirely on a first lateral side of the theoretical axis;
the outer chamber being changeable from the relatively smaller deflated configuration to the relatively larger inflated configuration via injection of a first biocompatible material;
the inner chamber changeable from a relatively smaller deflated configuration to a relatively larger inflated configuration via injection of a second biocompatible material;
the inner chamber changeable from the deflated configuration to the inflated configuration independently of the outer chamber;
wherein the spacer is configured to be disposed between adjacent first and second spinous processes such that the first spinous process-receiving notch receives the first spinous process and the second spinous process-receiving notch receives the second spinous process, and wherein when the spacer is disposed between the spinous processes the theoretical axis extends along a sagittal plane defined by the spinous processes.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An expandable interspinous process spacer is disclosed that includes at least two chambers, one disposed within the other. Each of the at least two chambers can receive an injectable biocompatible material, which advantageously may have different material properties such as hardness. Further, the expandable interspinous process spacer can be changed from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration. In the inflated configuration, the expandable interspinous process spacer can engage and support a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process.
251 Citations
6 Claims
-
1. An expandable interspinous process spacer comprising:
-
an outer chamber formed of an expandable material, the outer chamber having a generally H-shape in both a relatively smaller deflated configuration and a relatively larger inflated configuration, wherein the H-shape includes first and second spinous process-receiving notches; a theoretical axis extending from the first spinous process-receiving notch to the second spinous process-receiving notch; an inner expandable chamber disposed within and generally surrounded by the outer chamber, the inner expandable chamber disposed entirely on a first lateral side of the theoretical axis; the outer chamber being changeable from the relatively smaller deflated configuration to the relatively larger inflated configuration via injection of a first biocompatible material; the inner chamber changeable from a relatively smaller deflated configuration to a relatively larger inflated configuration via injection of a second biocompatible material;
the inner chamber changeable from the deflated configuration to the inflated configuration independently of the outer chamber;wherein the spacer is configured to be disposed between adjacent first and second spinous processes such that the first spinous process-receiving notch receives the first spinous process and the second spinous process-receiving notch receives the second spinous process, and wherein when the spacer is disposed between the spinous processes the theoretical axis extends along a sagittal plane defined by the spinous processes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
Specification