# US 2017/0281146 A1 · Method and apparatus for distracting a joint

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- Number: US 2017/0281146 A1
- Document ID: US20170281146A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/352,007
- Filed: 2016-11-15
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2009-03-17
- Assignees: Pivot Medical, Inc.
- Applicants: Pivot Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: William Kaiser; Paritosh Ambekar; Ed Carcamo
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170281146A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/025: {Joint distractors}
- A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61F 2/30721: {Accessories}
- A61F 2/32: for the hip
- A61M 25/10: Balloon catheters ({A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02;} inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 {; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00})
- A61M 25/1011: {Multiple balloon catheters}
- A61M 25/10184: {Means for controlling or monitoring inflation or deflation}
- A61B 2017/00557: {inflatable (A61B2017/22051 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/0275: {for the hip}
- A61F 2002/30754: {Implants for interposition between two natural articular surfaces}
- A61M 25/0102: {Insertion or introduction using an inner stiffening member, e.g. stylet or push-rod}
- A61M 25/0147: {with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires}
- A61M 25/1002: {characterised by balloon shape (A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence)}
- A61M 25/1018: {Balloon inflating or inflation-control devices}
- A61M 25/10185: {Valves}
- A61M 2025/0063: {having means, e.g. stylets, mandrils, rods or wires to reinforce or adjust temporarily the stiffness, column strength or pushability of catheters which are already inserted into the human body}
- A61M 2025/1004: {Balloons with folds, e.g. folded or multifolded}
- A61M 2025/1013: {with concentrically mounted balloons, e.g. being independently inflatable}
- A61M 2025/1015: {having two or more independently movable balloons where the distance between the balloons can be adjusted, e.g. two balloon catheters concentric to each other forming an adjustable multiple balloon catheter system}
- A61M 2025/1072: {having balloons with two or more compartments}
- A61M 2025/1079: {having radio-opaque markers in the region of the balloon}
- A61M 2025/1081: {having sheaths or the like for covering the balloon but not forming a permanent part of the balloon, e.g. retractable, dissolvable or tearable sheaths}
- A61M 2025/1088: {having special surface characteristics depending on material properties or added substances, e.g. for reducing friction}
- A61M 2025/1093: {having particular tip characteristics}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- 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)
- 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 joint-spacing balloon catheter comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; first and second balloons mounted to the distal end of the shaft, the first balloon being disposed distal to, and spaced from, the second balloon, with the portion of the shaft between the first and second balloons being flexible; and a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

-30. (canceled)

### Claim 31

A method for creating space in a joint of a limb, the method comprising:
applying force to the limb at a location remote from the joint so as to fully distract the joint and create an intrajoint space;
while the joint is fully distracted by the force applied to the limb at a location remote from the joint so as to create the intrajoint space, inserting an expandable member into the intrajoint space, the expandable member being inserted into the intrajoint space while the expandable member is in a contracted condition;
while the joint is fully distracted by the force applied to the limb at a location remote from the joint so as to create the intrajoint space, expanding the expandable member within the intrajoint space; and
reducing the force applied to the limb at a location remote from the joint so that the joint is maintained in a distracted condition by the expandable member.

### Claim 32

A perineal post comprising a balloon.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

A perineal post according to claim 32 wherein the balloon is disposed over a substantially rigid core.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

A perineal post according to claim 33 wherein the substantially rigid core has a circular cross-section.