System and method for spine spacing
AssigneeSDGI Holdings, Inc.
InventorMichael C. Sherman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for positioning a spacer within a patient. The device has a first form having a reduced size to be inserted into the patient in a minimally invasive manner. The device than expands to a second form once inside the patient to an enlarged size. In one embodiment, the expansion results from biomaterial fed into the device. In another embodiment, the expansion results from the device being constructed of an expandable material that enlarges after being inserted into the patient. The method includes forming a minimally invasive opening within the patient for delivering the device to an application point. In one embodiment, a conduit is positioned within the patient for delivering the device. The conduit may also be used to deliver biomaterial to the interior of the device.
Claims26
A method of positioning adjacent spinous processes, comprising:
- inserting a conduit to a predetermined position between the adjacent spinous processes;
- inserting a spacer in a first form through the conduit to the predetermined position;
- and
- changing the spacer to a second form that maintains the adjacent spinous processes in a predetermined alignment, the second form having an expanded size relative to the first form.
A method of placing a spacer between adjacent spinous processes of a patient, comprising:
- inserting a conduit into the patient such that a first end is positioned at an application point between the adjacent spinous processes;
- attaching a delivery device to the conduit;
- and
- delivering biomaterial from the delivery device through the conduit and into a spacer positioned within the conduit, the spacer expanding beyond the end of the conduit and into the patient at the application point.
A minimally-invasive method of placing a spacer within a patient for spacing bodily tissue comprising:
- creating an opening within the patient that extends between the skin and an application point, the opening ranging in size from between about 3 mm to about 8 mm;
- delivering a spacer through the opening to the application point, the spacer having a first size to be delivered through the opening;
- and
- expanding the spacer at the application point to a second size, the second size being larger than the opening.
A method of inserting a spacer within a patient between adjacent spinous processes in a minimally invasive manner, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a conduit into the patient and positioning a first end of the conduit between the adjacent spinous processes with a second end of the conduit being outside of the patient, the conduit comprising a hollow interior;
- delivering a spacer through the hollow interior of the conduit to a position within the patient between the adjacent spinous processes;
- and
- delivering biomaterial through the conduit and into the spacer to expand the spacer.
A method of relieving pain due to spinal stenosis, said method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a spacer between adjacent spinous processes of the spinal column by forming an opening in the patient no larger than about 8 mm in diameter;
- and
- expanding the spacer to alter the position of each of the adjacent spinous processes to increase the volume of the spinal canal.
A method of placing a spacer within a patient for spacing apart bodily tissue without previously resecting tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a conduit into the patient with a conduit first end positioned at a point of injury;
- moving biomaterial into the conduit;
- forcing the biomaterial into a spacer located at a conduit first end and expanding the size of the spacer;
- and
- detaching the spacer from the conduit.
An apparatus for maintaining a predetermined spacing between adjacent spinous processes comprising a spacer changeable between a first form and a second form, the first form having a reduced size to be inserted between the adjacent spinous processes in a minimally invasive manner, the second form having an enlarged size that securely positions the spacer between the adjacent spinous processes to maintain the predetermined spacing.
A system for positioning adjacent spinous processes comprising:
- a conduit insertable to a predetermined position relative to the adjacent spinous processes;
- and
- a spacer having a body changeable from a first form to a second form, the first form sized to be delivered through the conduit, and the second form sized to maintain the adjacent spinous processes in a predetermined position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.