Devices and methods for vertebral bone realignment

A method of using a device assembly for treatment of a spinal segment, the spinal segment comprising at least a superior vertebral bone, an inferior vertebral bone, and an intervertebral disc space disposed between the superior vertebral bone and the inferior vertebral bone, the method comprising:

• approaching the intervertebral disc space via at least one side surface, the at least one side surface comprising at least one of an anterior side surface, a posterior side surface, a first lateral side surface, and an opposing second lateral side surface;
• advancing the device assembly through the at least one side surface, the device assembly comprising:
• at least one distraction module, the at least one distraction module comprising a first top side, a first bottom side opposing the first top side and movably coupled to the first top side, and a distraction mechanism;
• and
• a housing module, the housing module comprising a second top side, a second bottom side opposing the second top side and movably coupled to the second top side, a locking feature, and a coupler, the coupler coupled with at least a segment of the at least one distraction module;
• positioning the device assembly at least partially within the intervertebral disc space;
• utilizing a non-implantable tool to actuate the distraction mechanism of the at least one distraction module, the actuation of the distraction mechanism causing (i) movement the first top side away from the first bottom side, and (ii) movement of the second top side away from the second bottom side, thereby moving the housing module into a distracted configuration;
• and
• uncoupling the at least segment of the at least one distraction module from the coupler of the housing module and removing the at least one distraction module from the housing module, the locking feature retaining the housing module in the distracted configuration;
• wherein the locking feature comprises a separate structure from the distraction mechanism.

A method for use of an implantable device to treat a spinal segment of a subject, the spinal segment comprising at least a first functional spinal unit, the first functional spinal unit comprising a superior vertebral bone, an inferior vertebral bone, and a first intervertebral disc space disposed between the superior vertebral bone and the inferior vertebral bone, the method comprising:

• coupling at least a segment of at least one distraction unit with a housing module, the housing module comprising:
• (i) a first member and (ii) a second member coupled to the first member, the at least one distraction unit comprising:
• (i) a third member, (ii) a fourth member, (iii) a distraction mechanism and (iv) an actuator, the actuator configured to activate the distraction mechanism, the coupling comprising coupling at least a portion of the third member with a first coupler of the first member;
• entering at least one side surface of the intervertebral disc space and removing at least a portion of a natural disc material contained therein;
• advancing the housing module coupled with the at least one distraction unit at least partially into the intervertebral disc space;
• engaging the actuator using a non-implantable driver, the engaging causing movement of the at least one distraction unit, the movement of the at least one distraction unit comprises (i) movement of at least a segment of the third member relative to at least a segment of the fourth member, (ii) movement of one or more of the first member or the second member such that the housing module moves into a distracted position, and (iii) retainment of the housing module in the distracted position;
• and
• removing the non-implantable driver from the subject;
• wherein the coupling of the at least portion of the third member with the first coupler of the first member at least in part comprises immobilizing the third member of the at least one distraction unit relative to the first member of the housing module during at least said movement of the at least one distraction unit.

A method of utilizing a modular kit for treatment of a spinal segment, the spinal segment comprising at least a functional spinal unit, the functional spinal unit comprising at least a superior vertebral bone, an inferior vertebral bone, and an intervertebral disc space disposed between the inferior vertebral bone and the superior vertebral bone, the modular kit comprising one or more housing modules and one or more distraction modules, each of the one or more housing modules comprising a top member configured to abut bone, a bottom member coupled to and opposing the top member and configured to abut bone, and a first coupler, each of the one or more distraction modules comprising a top surface, a bottom surface opposing the top surface and movably associated therewith, a distraction mechanism, a first actuator, and a second coupler, the first actuator configured to activate the distraction mechanism, the second coupler configured to couple with the first coupler, the method comprising:

• evaluating the spinal segment to identify one or more of a condition of the functional spinal unit or a size of the intervertebral disc space in at least one dimension thereof;
• based at least on the evaluating of the spinal segment, determining a first distraction module of the one or more distraction modules without use of the one or more housing modules is appropriate for treatment of the functional spinal unit;
• based at least on the determining, preparing the first distraction module for implantation;
• positioning at least a portion of the first distraction module into the intervertebral disc space;
• using a driver to engage the first actuator of the first distraction module, thereby actuating the distraction mechanism of the first distraction module, the actuating causing (i) increase of a distance between the top surface and the bottom surface of the first distraction module, and (ii) movement of the first distraction module into a first distracted configuration;
• and
• removing the driver from the functional spinal unit;
• and
• retaining the first distraction module in the first distracted configuration after the removing of the driver from the functional spinal unit.

A method of utilizing a modular kit for treatment of a spinal segment, the spinal segment comprising at least a functional spinal unit, the functional spinal unit comprising at least a superior vertebral bone, an inferior vertebral bone, and an intervertebral disc space disposed between the inferior vertebral bone and the superior vertebral bone, the modular kit comprising one or more housing modules and one or more distraction modules, each of the one or more housing modules comprising a top bone abutment member, a bottom abutment member coupled to and opposing the top bone abutment member, and a first coupler, each of the one or more distraction modules comprising a top surface, a bottom surface opposing the top surface and movably associated therewith, a distraction mechanism, a first actuator, and a second coupler, the first actuator configured to activate the distraction mechanism, the second coupler configured to couple with the first coupler, the method comprising:

• evaluating the spinal segment to identify one or more of a condition of the functional spinal unit or a size of the intervertebral disc space in at least one dimension thereof;
• based at least on the evaluating of the spinal segment, determining that (i) an implant assembly is appropriate for treatment of the spinal segment, the implant assembly comprising a first housing module of the one or more housing modules coupled with a first distraction module of the one or more housing modules, and (ii) the one or more distraction modules without use of at least one of the one or more housing modules are insufficient for treatment of the functional spinal unit;
• based at least on the determining, preparing the implant assembly for implantation, the preparing comprising coupling the first coupler of the first housing module with the second coupler of the first distraction module;
• positioning at least a portion of the implant assembly into the intervertebral disc space;
• using a driver to engage the first actuator of the first distraction module, thereby actuating the distraction mechanism of the first distraction module, the actuating causing (i) increase of a first distance between the top surface and the bottom surface of the first distraction module, and (ii) increase of a second distance between the top bone abutment member and the bottom bone abutment member of the first housing module, thereby moving the first housing module into a first distracted configuration;
• removing the driver from the functional spinal unit;
• and
• retaining the first housing module in the first distracted configuration after the removing of the driver from the functional spinal unit.

A method for use of an implantable device assembly to treat a target spinal segment of a subject, the target spinal segment comprising at least a superior vertebral bone, an inferior vertebral bone, and an intervertebral disc space disposed between the superior vertebral bone and the inferior vertebral bone, the method comprising:

• evaluating the target spinal segment via at least one imaging modality;
• based at least in part on the evaluating, determining a configuration for a subject-specific housing module to be implanted at the spinal segment;
• utilizing at least the determined configuration to prepare the subject-specific housing module prior to an implantation of the implantable device, the subject-specific housing module comprising a first bone abutment member and a second bone abutment member coupled to the first bone abutment member, at least one of the first and second bone abutment members being movable relative to the other bone abutment member;
• and
• subsequently performing the implantation, the implantation comprising:
• configuring the implantable device assembly by at least coupling the subject-specific housing module with at least one distraction module, the at least one distraction module comprising:
• (i) a first member, (ii) a second member movable relative to the first member, (iii) a distraction mechanism, and (iv) an actuator, the actuator configured to activate the distraction mechanism;
• approaching at least one side surface of the intervertebral disc space of the target spinal segment, the at least one side surface comprising at least one of an anterior side surface, a posterior side surface, a first lateral side surface, or an opposing second lateral side surface;
• advancing at least a portion of the implantable device assembly at least partially into the intervertebral disc space;
• using a driver to engage the actuator of the distraction module and to activate the distraction mechanism, the activating the distraction mechanism (i) causing movement of the first member of the distraction module relative to the second member of the distraction module, and (ii) altering a distance between at least a portion of the first bone abutment member and at least a portion of the second bone abutment member such that the subject-specific housing module is moved into a distracted position;
• retaining the subject-specific housing module in the distracted position;
• and
• removing the non-implantable driver from the subject;
• wherein the distraction mechanism abuts each of the first member and the second member of the distraction module throughout said act of movement of the first member relative to the second members.