# US 8,540,751 B2 · Spine distraction implant and method

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- Number: US 8,540,751 B2
- Document ID: US8540751B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/677,212
- Filed: 2007-02-21
- Published: 2007-08-30
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 1997-01-02
- Assignees: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
- Applicants: James F. Zucherman; Ken Y. Hsu; T. Wade Fallin; Charles J. Winslow; Henry A. Klyce
- Inventors: James F. Zucherman; Ken Y. Hsu; T. Wade Fallin; Charles J. Winslow; Henry A. Klyce
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540751B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/7065: {Devices with changeable shape, e.g. collapsible or having retractable arms to aid implantation; Tools therefor}
- A61B 17/025: {Joint distractors}
- A61B 17/7062: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral processes, vertebral facets or ribs (rib fixation devices A61B17/8076); Tools for such devices}
- A61B 17/7068: {Devices comprising separate rigid parts, assembled in situ, to bear on each side of spinous processes; Tools therefor}
- A61K 31/37: Coumarins, e.g. psoralen
- A61B 17/66: {Alignment}, compression or distraction mechanisms
- A61B 17/7064: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor}
- A61B 17/7071: {Implants for expanding or repairing the vertebral arch or wedged between laminae or pedicles; Tools therefor}
- A61B 2017/00867: {shape memory effect}
- A61B 2017/0256: {for the spine}
- Y10S 606/91: Polymer
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a spinal extension stop while allowing freedom of spinal flexion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus, comprising:
a central body configured to be disposed between a first spinous process and a second spinous process; the central body extending from a first end portion to a second end portion along a longitudinal axis; the central body having a longitudinal passage having a first opening in the first end portion and a second opening in the second end portion;
a first flexible retention member having a first end portion extending from the central body at the first opening and a second end portion extending from the central body at the second opening and a middle portion disposed between the first and second end portions with at least a portion of the middle portion being disposed within the passage; the first and second end portions having respective free tip ends disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the central body;
a second flexible retention member distinct from the first flexible retention member, the second flexible retention member having a third end portion extending from the central body at the first opening and a fourth end portion extending from the central body at the second opening and a middle portion disposed between the third and fourth end portions with at least a portion of the middle portion being disposed within the passage; the third and fourth end portions having respective free tip ends disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the central body;
wherein the tip ends of the first, second, third, and fourth end portions are spaced from each other;
wherein the free tip end of the first end portion extends divergently with respect to the free tip end of the third end portion; wherein the free tip end of the second end portion extends divergently with respect to the free tip end of the fourth end portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the end portions of the first and second retention members are curved.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central body is configured to be inserted between the first spinous process and the second spinous process percutaneously.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central body is configured to be inserted between the first spinous process and the second spinous process percutaneously through a lateral approach.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central body is substantially rigid.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first flexible retention member or the second flexible member is fabricated from an elastic alloy wire.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the end portions of the first retention member are configured to engage the first spinous process when the central body is disposed between the first spinous process and the second spinous process; and
the end portions of the second retention member are configured to engage the second spinous process when the central body is disposed between the first spinous process and the second spinous process.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central body has a substantially circular cross-section.