3362 results about "Vertebral body" patented technology

An expandable interbody spacer (IBS) device designed to restore the disc height between vertebral bodies. The expandable interbody spacer device has an integral, moveable expansion member or spreader, provided between two plates. The plates are connected by one or more connecting members that retain the plates in a position proximate to one another while allowing the plates to move from a first unexpanded position to a second expanded position upon activation of the expansion member. According to aspects of the invention, the interbody spacer device can be implanted in an unexpanded or collapsed configuration, and then expanded to full height by engaging the expansion member. In other embodiments, the interbody spacer device may take various forms, for example, it may be cashew, rectangular or annular.

An intervertebral disc space implant includes spaced-apart bone engagement portions that define an intermediate chamber that holds bone growth inducing material into contact with adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant is expandable to establish and maintain desired intervertebral spacing during fusion. The implant includes a first member and a second member arranged to move relative to each other by action of an expansion member, the first member being engageable with the vertebral body below the disc space.

Surgical implants are configured for placement posteriorly to a spinal canal between vertebral bodies to distract the spine and enlarge the spinal canal. In the preferred embodiments the device permits spinal flexion while limiting spinal extension, thereby providing an effective treatment for treating spinal stenosis without the need for laminectomy. The invention may be used in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. Numerous embodiments are disclosed, including elongated, length-adjustable components coupled to adjacent vertebral bodies using pedicle screws. The preferred embodiments, however, teach a device configured for placement between adjacent vertebral bodies and adapted to fuse to the lamina, facet, spinous process or other posterior elements of a single vertebra. Various mechanisms, including shape, porosity, tethers, and bone-growth promoting substances may be used to enhance fusion. The tether may be a wire, cable, suture, or other single or multi-filament member. Preferably, the device forms a pseudo-joint in conjunction with the non-fused vertebra. Alternatively, the device could be fused to the caudal vertebra or both the cranial and caudal vertebrae.

An expandable intervertebral implant and tool for use in implanting same are disclosed. The tool is useful in retaining the implant in a non-expanded state throughout insert of the implant between adjacent vertebral bodies. Among other elements, the tool includes a rod, a sleeve placed over the rod, and a locking knob attached to the rod and the sleeve to fix them with respect to each other. This construct preferably aids in preventing movement of the various components of the implant, including first and second members and first and second wedges. A method of attaching inserting the implant through the use of the tool and attaching the tool to the implant are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a method for intervertebral disc surgery. The method includes creating a passage in a vertebral body adjacent to the intervertebral disc. The passage extends from a side surface of the vertebral body to a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. Annulus fibrosis tissue of the intervertebral disc is not incised during the surgery.

One or more shaped axial bore extending from an accessed posterior or anterior target point are formed in the cephalad direction through vertebral bodies and intervening discs, if present, in general alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral axial instrumentation/fusion (TASIF) line in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner. An anterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (AAIFL) or a posterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (PAIFL) that extends from the anterior or posterior target point, respectively, in the cephalad direction following the spinal curvature through one or more vertebral body is visualized by radiographic or fluoroscopic equipment. Preferably, curved anterior or posterior TASIF axial bores are formed in axial or parallel or diverging alignment with the visualized AAIFL or PAIFL, respectively, employing bore forming tools that can be manipulated from proximal portions thereof that are located outside the patient's body to adjust the curvature of the anterior or posterior TASIF axial bores as they are formed in the cephalad direction. Further bore enlarging tools are employed to enlarge one or more selected section of the anterior or posterior TASIF axial bore(s), e.g., the cephalad bore end or a disc space, so as to provide a recess therein that can be employed for various purposes, e.g., to provide anchoring surfaces for spinal implants inserted into the anterior or posterior TASIF axial bore(s).

Implants, instruments and methods for bone fusion procedures are disclosed. In some embodiments, the implants are particularly advantageous for use between opposing vertebral bodies to facilitate stabilization or arthrodesis of an intervertebral joint. The implants include, at least, a support component that provides structural support during fusion. In a typical embodiment, the implants also include a growth component. A growth component provides an environment conducive to new bone growth between the bones being fused. Several unique configurations to enhance fusion, instruments for insertion and methods for insertion are also disclosed.

Systems for treating a bone, e.g. a vertebral body, having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone provide a first tool, a second tool, and a third tool. The first tool establishes a percutaneous access path to bone. The second tool is sized and configured to be introduced through the percutaneous access path to form a void that occupies less than the interior volume. The third tool places within the void through the percutaneous access path a volume of filling material. Related methods for treating a bone, e.g. a vertebral body, having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone provide establishing a percutaneous access path to bone. A tool is introduced through the percutaneous access path and manipulated to form a void that occupies less than the interior volume. A volume of filling material is then placed within the void through the percutaneous access path.

Stent systems and methods for expanding and deploying stents in hard tissue such as bone, more particularly within a vertebral body. One exemplary method includes using a stent body that is coupled to a high speed rotational motor with the stent expandable and detachable from an introducer working end. In one embodiment, the stent is a deformable metal body with zig-zag type struts in an expanded configuration that carries diamond cutting particles bonded to the strut surfaces. The “spin” stent is rotated at high rpm's to remove cancellous bone from the deployment site together with irrigation and aspiration at the end of the probe that carries the stent. The stent may be expanded asymmetrically, such as with first and second balloons or by using an interior restraint, to apply vertical distraction forces to move apart the cortical endplates and support the vertebra in the distracted condition. The cancellous bone about the expanded stent as well as the interior of the stent can be filled with a bone cement, allograft or other bone graft material. In one method of use, the spin stent is designed and adapted for (i) treating a vertebral compression fracture (VCF) or for (ii) reinforcing an osteoporotic vertebral body.

This invention resides in an apparatus for inhibiting full extension between upper and lower vertebral bodies, thereby preventing pain and other complications associated with spinal movement. In the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a generally transverse member extending between the spinous processes and lamina of the upper and lower vertebral bodies, thereby inhibiting full extension. Various embodiments of the invention may limit spinal flexion, rotation and/or lateral bending while preventing spinal extension. In the preferred embodiment, the transverse member is fixed between two opposing points on the lower vertebral body using pedicle screws, and a cushioning sleeve is used as a protective cover. The transverse member may be a rod or cable, and the apparatus may be used with a partial or full artificial disc replacement. To control spinal flexion, rotation and/or lateral bending one or more links may be fastened to an adjacent vertebral body, also preferably using a pedicle screw. Preferably a pair of opposing links are used between the upper and lower vertebral bodies for such purposes.

A method and apparatus for fixation and correction of spondylolisthesis anteriorly includes a disk cage which is inserted into the space between adjacent vertebrae, a drill guide for guiding and aligning a drill bit to angle an opening anteriorly between adjacent vertebrae, a distractor for temporarily aligning the vertebrae to position a disk cage and an elongated hollow screw positioned in said drilled opening through one vertebra, said disk cage and into said adjacent vertebra.

The present invention is an apparatus for repairing a collapsed space within vertical bodies. The apparatus includes an introducer (20) including an elongate member having proximal, distal ends, and defining a longitudinal bore. The elongate member includes a threaded portion adjacent the distal end, being configured for insertion into vertebral bodies to facilitate mounting of the elongate member to the vertebral bodies, and a catheter at least partially positioned within the longitudinal bore of the elongate members of the introducer (20). The catheter includes a catheter body member having proximal, and distal ends, an inflation lumen extending along at least a portion of the catheter body, and an expandable membrane adjacent the distal end of the catheter body member in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The expandable membrane is extendable beyond the distal end of the introducer (20), and positioned between the vertebral bodies. The expandable membrane is expandable in response to inflation fluids conveyed by the inflation lumen to exert a force on the vertebral bodies to achieve a desired spacing therewith. A method of reforming a collapsed vertebra utilizing the apparatus is also disclosed.

The present invention provides instrumentation that facilitates access to both sides of the vertebral body from a single access point. More particularly, the present invention provides bendable access devices that can be steered so as to traverse the vertebral body from the point of entry into the vertebral body, through the cancellous bone within the vertebral body, and to the contralateral side of the vertebral body. This steerability is provided by forming the access device with a series of slots, grooves, or notches in the side of the access device near the distal end of the access device, which slots, grooves, or notches reduce the bending stiffness of the access device. As a result, the distal end of the access device bends as it is being advanced into the vertebral body.