# US 7,744,612 B2 · System and method for protecting neurovascular structures

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- Number: US 7,744,612 B2
- Document ID: US7744612B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/055,162
- Filed: 2005-02-10
- Published: 2005-09-01
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2004-02-10
- Assignees: Spinal Elements, Inc.
- Inventors: Jason Blain
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744612B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/82: Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents (stent-grafts for tubular structures of the body other than blood vessels A61F2/04; stent-grafts for blood vessels A61F2/07)
- A61B 17/025: {Joint distractors}
- A61B 17/1128: {of nerves}
- A61B 17/7071: {Implants for expanding or repairing the vertebral arch or wedged between laminae or pedicles; Tools therefor}
- A61F 2/04: Hollow or tubular parts of organs, e.g. bladders, tracheae, bronchi or bile ducts (A61F2/18, A61F2/20 take precedence; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95)
- A61F 2/44: for the spine, e.g. vertebrae or spinal discs
- A61B 2017/0256: {for the spine}
- A61B 2017/0262: {with a provision for protecting nerves}
- A61F 2/06: Blood vessels
- 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)

## Abstract

Devices and methods for protecting the neurovascular structures about the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a neuroprotective stent or device adapted for placement in an intervertebral foramen of a vertebral column and configured to resist compression or impingement from surrounding structures or forces. The stent or device may further comprise a flange or hinge region to facilitate attachment of the device to the vertebrae or to facilitate insertion of the device in the foramen, respectively.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for treating a spine, comprising:
providing a tubular body adapted for placement within an intervertebral foramen, wherein the tubular body is configured to resist compression forces from spinal structures;
inserting the tubular body into the intervertebral foramen;
providing a spacer;
inserting the spacer into the intervertebral foramen; and
expanding the tubular body to increase the diameter of the tubular body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method for treating a spine as in claim 1, wherein the tubular body further comprises a flange.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method for treating a spine as in claim 2, further comprising inserting at least one bone screw through one or more through openings in the flange.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method for treating a spine as in claim 1, wherein the tubular body comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polymers, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyethylene, fluoropolymers, elastomers, ceramics, zirconia, alumina, silicon nitride; metal(s), titanium, titanium alloy, cobalt chromium, stainless steel, and combinations of these materials.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method for treating a spine as in claim 1, wherein the tubular body further comprises a hinge region comprising at least one region of reduced wall thickness.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method for treating a spine as in claim 1, wherein the step of expanding the tubular body to increase in the diameter of the tubular body comprises inserting the spacer into a longitudinal opening along the tubular body, the width of the spacer being greater than the width of the longitudinal opening.

### Claim 7

A method for treating a spine, comprising:
providing a tubular body adapted for placement within an intervertebral foramen, wherein the tubular body is configured to resist compression forces from spinal structures;
inserting the tubular body into the intervertebral foramen; and
attaching a flange positioned along the tubular body onto a structure of the vertebrae.