Method of spinal fixation using adhesive media
AssigneeHemodynamics, Inc.
InventorJulius G. Hammerslag
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Abstract
Disclosed are methods of spinal fixation involving application of a liquid medium which cures, hardens, polymerizes or otherwise serves to bind adjacent vertebrae together. The fixation which results from this binding may be temporary or essentially permanent in duration, and may be used to treat conditions or disease of the spine, such as inflammation, instability or fracture. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid medium comprises a low viscosity cyanoacrylate-based adhesive.
Claims29
A method of temporary spinal fixation, comprising the steps of:
- Identifying a first and a second adjacent surfaces in a spine, the first and second surfaces in sliding contact with each other at a joint;
- Introducing a medium between the first and second surfaces which undergoes a physical or chemical change to immobilize the joint.
A method of immobilizing a portion of the spine, comprising the steps of identifying a joint between a first vertebra and a second vertebra which is to be immobilized, and administering an adhesive medium to bond at least a first superior articular process on the first vertebra to a corresponding first inferior articular process on the second vertebra, wherein the adhesive comprises cyanoacrylate.
A method of treating inflammation in the spine, comprising the steps of identifying a joint between a first vertebra and a second vertebra which is in the vicinity of an inflammation, and administering an adhesive medium to bond at least a first superior articular process on the first vertebra to a corresponding first inferior articular process on the second vertebra to temporarily immobilize the joint for a sufficient time to treat the inflammation, wherein the administering step is accomplished without a surgical cut down.
A method of immobilizing a portion of the spine, comprising the steps of identifying a joint between a first vertebra and a second vertebra which is to be immobilized, and administering a thin film of adhesive medium within the joint to bond at least a first superior articular process on the first vertebra to a corresponding first inferior articular process on the second vertebra.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.