Spinous Process Spacer Hammock

Abstract

An interspinous spacer comprising:a) a first brace having an upper throughhole and a lower throughhole,b) a second brace having an upper throughhole and a lower throughhole,c) a ligament having a first end and a second end,wherein the ligament extends from the upper throughhole of the first brace through the upper throughhole of the second brace.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Patients suffering from low back or leg pain frequently have stenosis of the vertebral and / or neural foramen that constricts their spine-related nerves. It has been shown that applying traction to the spinous processes may alleviate this pain and several devices have been developed that accomplish this. However, many of these devices are either difficult to implant, do not stay in place, or wear away the bone of the spinous process due to poor conformance of the device.[0002]US Published Patent Application No. US20060122620 (“Kim I”) discloses a posterior element distraction system for implantation at a spinal motion segment comprising a superior vertebra, an inferior vertebra, each vertebra comprising a posterior element comprising a spinous process, laminal portions and a set of facet joints, and further comprising an interspinous space between the spinous processes, the system comprising: at least one lateral member for positioning on a side of th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an interspinous spacer for distracting the spinous processes in the spine. The spacer includes a flexible strap or ligament that is threaded through two plates positioned on either side of the spinous processes and a means for tensioning the strap and holding it in place. The distance between the slots on the straps is larger than the distance between the spinous processes, and adjustable distraction can be achieved by varying the level of tension in the strap. The straps automatically become snugly opposedly positioned against the sides of the spinous processes, helping to keep the device from migrating during use. In another embodiment, the spacer comprises two straps or ligaments, one located at the cranial and one at the caudal portions of the device, with each strap being fixed to the respective inner surfaces of two plates positioned on opposing sides of the spinous processes. A centrally located distance adjustment element connects the two plates and may be adjusted in a medial-lateral direction to change the tension of the straps and enable distraction of the spinous processes. The plates have threaded holes for mating with the threaded rod, and the opposed holes are threaded in the opposite direction to enable tightening or loosening of the strap.

Problems solved by technology

However, many of these devices are either difficult to implant, do not stay in place, or wear away the bone of the spinous process due to poor conformance of the device.

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