Spinal curvature correction device
OwnerMichael S. Kitcheninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spinal curvature correction device has a flexible tube having one or multiple lumens extending longitudinally through substantially the entire length of the flexible member. The lumens are a plurality of channels formed to receive multiple longitudinal members, or rods. Each rod is shaped to a desired curvature of a healthy spine or a curvature that will affect a correction of a diseased spine. The hollow, flexible tube is surgically placed along the axis of the spine and fixed. After fixation to the spinal elements is structurally stable, a plurality of curved semi-rigid rods is placed within the channels of the flexible tube. As additional rods are placed within the hollow flexible member, increased force is applied to the spine by the device, thereby moving the spine towards the desired curvature.
Claims23
An implantable, dynamic spinal curvature correction device adapted to correcting the curvature of the spine of a mammalian in need thereof capable of being placed along a longitudinal axis of a mammalian spine, comprising:
- a) a preformed flexible tube of biocompatible material comprising a lumen, wherein said lumen extends longitudinally through said flexible tube, with the outside of said flexible tube being positioned approximate the spine of the mammalian in need thereof;
- and
- b) a rod comprising a shape memory material having a memorized preformed curvature of an idealized shape prior to surgical placement, wherein said rod is present within said lumen of said flexible tube, and wherein said lumen is formed to receive and hold said rod;
- wherein said lumen of said preformed flexible tube is formed to receive said rod after surgical placement of said preformed flexible tube approximate the spine of the mammalian in need thereof;
- and wherein, after surgical placement, said memorized preformed curvature of said shape memory material of said rod exerts a dynamic force upon the mammalian spine, and said rod urges said mammalian spine toward the idealized shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.