Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080262549 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DEPLOYING SPINOUS PROCESS CONSTRAINTS - An exemplary method for constraining spinous processes to elastically limit flexion of a spinal segment comprises piercing an interspinous ligament to form a first penetration above an upper side of an upper spinous process and advancing a first end of a first tether through the first penetration. The interspinous ligament is pierced again to form a second penetration below a lower side of a lower spinous process and a second end of a second tether is advanced through the second penetration. Joining the first and second tethers together forms an extensible tether structure coupling the upper and lower spinous processes together while permitting extension therebetween. Adjusting the tether structure sets relative distance or angle between the upper and lower spinous processes to a target value. | 10-23-2008 |
20080319487 | Methods and Devices for Controlled Flexion Restriction of Spinal Segments - A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain. | 12-25-2008 |
20100004701 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DEPLOYING SPINOUS PROCESS CONSTRAINTS - A surgical tool for deploying an implant includes an elongate outer shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a central channel therebetween. An elongate inner shaft is at least partially slidably received in the central channel and an actuator mechanism is operatively coupled with either the outer or inner shaft. The tool also includes a piercing element that is coupled with the outer shaft and releasably coupled with the implant. | 01-07-2010 |
20100023060 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR LOCKING A BAND - A surgical fastening mechanism for releasably locking an implantable tether includes a housing having a central channel. The housing has an entry aperture, an exit aperture and a side channel extending therebetween. A roller element has a sidewall with an aperture therethrough and the roller is slidably disposed at least partially in the central channel such that the entry and exit apertures are at least partially aligned with the roller aperture. This permits passage of the tether therethrough. Rotation of the roller element in a first direction winds the tether around the roller thereby creating a friction interface between the roller element, the housing and the tether. A locking mechanism is operably connected with either the housing or the roller element and is adapted to prevent rotation of the roller in the central channel and also adapted to prevent release of the tether from the roller. | 01-28-2010 |
20100036424 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INCREASING THE BENDING STIFFNESS AND CONSTRAINING THE SPREADING OF A SPINAL SEGMENT - A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain. | 02-11-2010 |
20110172708 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INCREASING THE BENDING STIFFNESS OF A SPINAL SEGMENT WITH ELONGATION LIMIT - A system for restricting spinal flexion includes a compliance member having a body and an elongation limit. The body typically comprises a spring or other tension element which provides elastic constraint to the spinal segment when the compliance member is attached to the spinous processes. The elongation limit prevents overextension of the compliance member, thus reducing the likelihood that the patient will experience over flexion of the spinal segment and reducing the risk of placing excessive mechanical load on the compliance member. | 07-14-2011 |
20110288589 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR LOCKING A BAND - Fastening mechanisms for releasably locking a tether are provided. The mechanisms find application with orthopedic internal-fixation implants and make the implants more reliable and their implantation less invasive. A method for releasably locking a tether comprises advancing the tether through a tether aperture in a clamp body. The tether enters the tether aperture in a first plane and exits in a second plane generally transverse to the first plane. Positioning a fastener element in a fastener aperture in the clamp body captures the tether between the clamp body and the fastener element thereby releasably locking the tether in position relative to the clamp body. | 11-24-2011 |
20110295322 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INCREASING THE BENDING STIFFNESS AND CONSTRAINING THE SPREADING OF A SPINAL SEGMENT - A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain. | 12-01-2011 |
20120059419 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COUPLING A PROSTHESIS TO A SPINAL SEGMENT - A method for coupling a prosthesis to a spinal segment in a patient includes the steps of selecting first and second reference points disposed along the spinal segment and pre-operatively measuring a target distance. The target distance extends between the first and second reference points while the patient is in a preferred posture such as the standing position. A prosthesis is coupled to the spinal segment and the prosthesis is then intra-operatively adjusted in order to set the distance between the first and second reference points based on the target distance. | 03-08-2012 |
20120150231 | SACRAL TETHER ANCHOR AND METHODS OF USE - A system for restricting flexion of a spinal segment in a patient comprises a constraint device having a tether structure and a compliance member coupled with the tether structure. The tether structure is adapted to be coupled with a superior spinous process and a sacrum. The system also includes an anchor member that is anchored to the sacrum. The anchor member has an attachment feature that is adapted to couple with the constraint device. | 06-14-2012 |
20120265249 | DEVICE AND ACCESSORIES FOR LIMITING FLEXION - A device may be used to limit flexion of the spine without substantially limiting extension of the spine. Various accessories, instruments, and methods may be used to help deploy the flexion limiting device, manipulate, and adjust it. | 10-18-2012 |
20120283777 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DEPLOYING SPINOUS PROCESS CONSTRAINTS - A surgical tool for deploying an implant includes an elongate outer shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a central channel therebetween. An elongate inner shaft is at least partially slidably received in the central channel and an actuator mechanism is operatively coupled with either the outer or inner shaft. The tool also includes a piercing element that is coupled with the outer shaft and releasably coupled with the implant. | 11-08-2012 |
20130274748 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR LOCKING A BAND - A surgical fastening mechanism for releasably locking an implantable tether includes a housing having a central channel. The housing has an entry aperture, an exit aperture and a side channel extending therebetween. A roller element has a sidewall with an aperture therethrough and the roller is slidably disposed at least partially in the central channel such that the entry and exit apertures are at least partially aligned with the roller aperture. This permits passage of the tether therethrough. Rotation of the roller element in a first direction winds the tether around the roller thereby creating a friction interface between the roller element, the housing and the tether. A locking mechanism is operably connected with either the housing or the roller element and is adapted to prevent rotation of the roller in the central channel and also adapted to prevent release of the tether from the roller. | 10-17-2013 |
20130325065 | SPINOUS PROCESS CERCLAGE FOR BONE GRAFT CONTAINMENT - A system for fusing a spine comprises a flexion limiting tether having a superior portion, and an inferior portion. The superior portion of the device is coupled to a superior portion of the spine, and the inferior portion of the device is coupled to an inferior portion of the spine thereby constraining flexion of the spine. The system also includes bone graft for fusing the superior and inferior portions of the spine together. The bone graft is disposed between the superior and inferior portions of the spine, and the tether has a width suitable for holding the bone graft in a mass disposed between the superior and inferior portions of the spine. The tether also has a porosity suitable to allow body fluids to pass therethrough so that the graft material forms a solid mass. | 12-05-2013 |
20130325068 | FLEXION LIMITING DEVICE WITH SPINOUS PROCESS ATTACHMENT - A device for restricting flexion of a spine comprises a pair of compliance members that are disposed around a spinal midline, an upper fastener, and a lower fastener. The upper fastener is configured to be coupled to a superior spinous process and the lower fastener is configured to be coupled to an inferior spinous process. The pair of compliance members are coupled to the upper and the lower fasteners such that the compliance members provide a force resistant to flexion between the upper and the lower spinous processes. | 12-05-2013 |
20130331889 | SACRAL TETHER ANCHOR AND METHODS OF USE - A system for restricting flexion of a spinal segment in a patient comprises a constraint device having a tether structure and a compliance member coupled with the tether structure. The tether structure is adapted to be coupled with a superior spinous process and a sacrum. The system also includes an anchor member that is anchored to the sacrum. The anchor member has an attachment feature that is adapted to couple with the constraint device. | 12-12-2013 |
20140180340 | DEVICE AND ACCESSORIES FOR LIMITING FLEXION - A device may be used to limit flexion of the spine without substantially limiting extension of the spine. Various accessories, instruments, and methods may be used to help deploy the flexion limiting device, manipulate, and adjust it. | 06-26-2014 |