# US 2016/0256286 A1 · Tissue Positioning Device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0256286 A1 - Document ID: US20160256286A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/063,939 - Filed: 2016-03-08 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2007-08-13 - Assignees: MicroAire Surgical Instruments, Inc. - Applicants: MicroAire Surgical Instruments LLC - Inventors: Stephen Morris; Thomas Weisel; Roger Pisarnwongs - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160256286A1 ## CPC - A61F 2/40: for shoulders - A61B 17/56: Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor - A61F 2/30749: {Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body} - A61F 2/4657: {Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints (for surgical instruments A61B90/06)} - A61M 29/02: Dilators made of swellable material {(balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104)} - A61F 2002/30583: {filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ} - A61F 2002/4088: {Acromial components} - A61F 2210/0085: hardenable in situ, e.g. epoxy resins - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A tissue positioning device comprising a biocompatible member having a size and shape suitable for placement within a space adjacent to a tissue to be positioned and which acts to maintain the tissue in a desired position. The member may be a rigid or flexible spacer having a defined shape, or a bladder capable of receiving and being at least partially expanded by a filler material. The device can made from a variety of materials or a composite of materials as needed, and may include one or more attachment means by which it can be secured to nearby tissues such that it is maintained in a desired spatial location. The filler material can be any of a number of substances, including liquids, gases, a curable liquid such as bone cement or urethane foam, or a spring. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An implant for maintaining a space between a humerus and a corresponding acromion, the implant comprising: a biocompatible member for maintaining a relative position between the humerus and the acromion, the biocompatible member comprising: a generally rounded second surface; and one or more attachment features disposed on the biocompatible member, wherein: the first surface configured to abut a humeral head of the humerus; the second surface configured to abut an inferior surface of the acromion; and at least one of the attachment features disposed on the second surface, configured to affix the biocompatible member to a proximal anatomical architecture. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible member further comprises a cup-like recess defined by a first surface; ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the one or more fixation features comprise a tab having a suture hole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the one or more fixation features comprise a tab. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The implant of claim 4, wherein the tab comprises an embedded suture. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the one or more fixation features comprise a tab having a bone anchor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein material comprising the first surface is thicker than material comprising the second surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises a reinforcing material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The implant of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more attachment features comprises the reinforcing material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible member further comprises a secondary plate disposed on the first surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible member comprises a bladder type device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible member comprises a solid spacer type device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the fixation feature is proximal to an acromion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the fixation feature is proximal to a coracoid. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the fixation feature is proximal to a scapula. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the fixation feature is proximal to a humeral head. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the fixation feature is proximal to a glenoid. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the fixation feature is proximal to a coracoacromial (CA) ligament. ### Claim 19 A kit comprising: an implant for maintaining a space between a humerus and a corresponding acromion, the implant comprising: a biocompatible member for maintaining a relative position between the humerus and the acromion, the biocompatible member comprising: a generally rounded second surface; and one or more attachment features disposed on the biocompatible member, wherein: the first surface configured to abut a humeral head of the humerus; the second surface configured to abut an inferior surface of the acromion; and at least one of the attachment features disposed on the second surface, configured to affix the biocompatible member to a proximal anatomical architecture; and a plurality of trial devices. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The kit of claim 19, wherein the biocompatible member further comprises a cup-like recess defined by a first surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The kit of claim 19, further comprising a measuring device for measuring a size of a sub-acromial space defined by the humerus and acromion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The kit of claim 19, wherein the one or more fixation features comprise a tab. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The kit of claim 20, wherein the tab comprises an embedded suture. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The kit of claim 19, wherein the one or more fixation features comprise a tab having a bone anchor. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The kit of claim 19, wherein material comprising the first surface is thicker than material comprising the second surface. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The kit of claim 19, wherein the first surface comprises a reinforcing material. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The kit of claim 26, wherein at least one of the one or more attachment features comprises the reinforcing material. ### Claim 28 (depends on 19) The kit of claim 19, wherein the biocompatible member further comprises a secondary plate disposed on the first surface. ### Claim 29 An apparatus for maintaining a space between a humerus and a corresponding acromion, comprising: an inflatable bladder for maintaining a relative position between the humerus and the acromion, the inflatable bladder comprising: a generally rounded second surface; and one or more attachment features disposed on the inflatable bladder, wherein: the first surface is configured to abut a humeral head of the humerus; the second surface is configured to abut an inferior surface of the acromion; and at least one of the attachment features is disposed on the second surface, configured to affix the inflatable bladder to a proximal anatomical architecture. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the inflatable bladder further comprises a cup-like recess defined by a first surface. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the one or more fixation features comprise a tab having a suture hole. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the one or more fixation features comprise a tab having an embedded suture. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the one or more fixation features comprise a tab having a bone anchor. ### Claim 34 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the fixation feature is proximal to an acromion. ### Claim 35 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the fixation feature is proximal to a coracoid. ### Claim 36 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the fixation feature is proximal to a scapula. ### Claim 37 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the fixation feature is proximal to a humeral head. ### Claim 38 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the fixation feature is proximal to a glenoid. ### Claim 39 (depends on 29) The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the fixation feature is proximal to a coracoacromial (CA) ligament.