Expandable spinal rods and methods of use
AssigneeSDGI Holdings, Inc.
InventorsJeff Justis, Hai Trieu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spinal rod includes an elongated tubular member that is inflatable from a first insertion profile to a second enlarged profile. An expandable tubular reinforcement sleeve is concentrically positioned adjacent to the balloon. The balloon may be bonded to the sleeve. The spinal rod may also have longitudinal reinforcement members. A joining member may join two or more of the longitudinal reinforcing members at a discrete point along each. The spinal rod may further include end portions on either side of an inflatable portion.
Claims34
A spinal rod comprising:
- an inflatable member defining an interior cavity being constructed to contain a substance and having a length defined along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the inflatable member being constructed of a deformable material;
- a plurality of elongated rails positioned within the interior cavity and oriented along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a joining member positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis and joining at least two of the plurality of elongated rails at a discrete point along each of the at least two elongated rails,
- the plurality of rails preventing the interior cavity from collapsing axially along the longitudinal axis during insertion of the spinal rod into a subject.
A spinal rod comprising:
- an inflatable member defining an interior cavity being constructed to contain a substance and having a length defined along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the inflatable member being constructed of a deformable material;
- a plurality of elongated rails adjacent to the inflatable member and oriented along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a joining member positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis and joining at least two of the plurality of elongated rails at a discrete point along each of the at least two elongated rails,
- the inflatable member expandable between a first orientation with the interior cavity having a first cross sectional size and a second orientation with the interior cavity having a larger second cross sectional size,
- the elongated rails being radially movable between the first and second orientations and having an axial stiffness to prevent the interior cavity from collapsing axially along the longitudinal axis during insertion of the spinal rod into a subject.
A spinal rod comprising:
- an inflatable member defining an interior cavity being constructed to contain a substance and having a length defined along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the inflatable member being constructed of a deformable material;
- and
- a tubular reinforcement sleeve concentrically positioned and adhered to a surface of the balloon;
- the inflatable member expandable between a first orientation with the interior cavity having a first cross sectional size and a second orientation with the interior cavity having a larger second cross sectional size,
- the reinforcement sleeve being radially expandable between the first and second orientations.
A spinal rod comprising:
- a first end member comprising a first width;
- a second end member comprising a second width;
- and
- an intermediate section connected to the first and second end members;
- and
- a port operatively connected to the intermediate section;
- the intermediate section being diametrically expandable upon the introduction of a substance through the port, the intermediate section being expandable to a third width that is greater than the first and second widths.
A method of supporting vertebral members of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a substance into an interior region of a spinal rod;
- exposing the substance to light and causing the substance to begin to cure;
- implanting the spinal rod into the patient while the substance is curing;
- and
- securing the spinal rod to anchors mounted to the vertebral members after the substance begins to cure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.