U.S. patent application number 11/713771 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-16 for bone support device, system, and method.
Invention is credited to Janna Clark, Andrew Kohm, Samuel Lee, Thomas A. Slater.
Application Number | 20080255569 11/713771 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39540643 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080255569 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kohm; Andrew ; et
al. |
October 16, 2008 |
Bone support device, system, and method
Abstract
A bone support and/or barrier device, system, kit, and method
can include an implantable structure having an outer surface, an
inner surface, a first bone contact portion, and a second bone
contact portion. The structure can be collapsible to an undeployed
configuration capable of percutaneous insertion to the interior of
a bone and expandable to a deployed configuration in the bone. In
the deployed configuration, the first bone contact portion can
contact a first portion of the bone, and the second bone contact
portion can contact a second portion of the bone such that a load
placed on the first portion of the bone can be transferred through
the implantable structure to the second portion of the bone. The
implantable structure can include a barrier material adapted to
restrict a bone filler material inserted into the bone adjacent the
inner surface of the structure from flowing to the outer surface of
the structure.
Inventors: |
Kohm; Andrew; (Burlingame,
CA) ; Clark; Janna; (Belmont, CA) ; Lee;
Samuel; (Mountain View, CA) ; Slater; Thomas A.;
(Mountain View, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAYNES AND BOONE, LLP
901 Main Street, Suite 3100
Dallas
TX
75202
US
|
Family ID: |
39540643 |
Appl. No.: |
11/713771 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/93 ; 606/192;
606/63; 606/99; 623/17.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/00867
20130101; A61B 17/7098 20130101; A61B 90/39 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/93 ; 606/63;
606/99; 606/192; 623/17.11 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/58 20060101
A61B017/58; A61M 29/00 20060101 A61M029/00; A61F 2/44 20060101
A61F002/44 |
Claims
1. A device, comprising: a structure implantable in a bone and
having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first bone contact
portion, and a second bone contact portion, at least a portion of
the outer surface comprising the first bone contact portion, the
structure collapsible to an undeployed configuration capable of
percutaneous insertion to the interior of the bone and expandable
to a deployed configuration in the interior of the bone, wherein in
the deployed configuration the first bone contact portion contacts
at least the first portion of the bone from the interior of the
bone, and the second bone contact portion contacts at least a
second portion of the bone, and wherein a load on the first portion
of the bone is transferred through the structure to the second
portion of the bone.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the bone comprises a vertebral
body, the first portion of the bone comprises an endplate, and the
second portion of the bone comprises a side wall of the vertebral
body.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the bone comprises a vertebral
body, the first portion of the bone comprises a first endplate, and
the second portion of the bone comprises a second endplate opposite
the first endplate.
4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a barrier material
attached to the structure adapted to prohibit substantially all
flow of bone filler material from the inner surface to the outer
surface of the structure.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the implantable structure further
comprises: a central rod; and a plurality of support members
extendable outwardly from an end of the central rod in a circular
pattern.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the deployed configuration
further comprises the plurality of support members extending
outwardly in a dome shape, wherein at least a portion of an outer
surface of the outwardly extending support members comprises the
first bone contact portion, and wherein distal ends of the
outwardly extending support members comprise the second bone
contact portion.
7. The device of claim 5, further comprising an elongate member
having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the central rod is
pivotably attached to the distal end of the elongate member and a
handle is attached to the proximal end of the elongate member, and
wherein the handle comprises a first mechanism adapted to pivot the
central rod to an approximately 90 degree angle relative to a
longitudinal axis of the elongate member and a second mechanism
adapted to extend the support members outwardly from the central
rod.
8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a release mechanism
adapted to release the central rod from the elongate member.
9. The device of claim 5, the implantable structure further
comprising at least two sets of the plurality of support members,
each set of support members capable of being deployed in a
different direction in the interior of the bone.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the implantable structure
further comprises a frame comprising an outer ring and a plurality
of cross-members, each cross-member extending across the outer
ring, and wherein the plurality of cross-members comprises the
first bone contact portion and the outer ring comprises the second
bone contact portion.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the deployed configuration
further comprises a dome shape, and wherein the outer surface
comprises a convex surface and the inner surface comprises a
concave surface.
12. The device of claim 10, wherein the deployed configuration
further comprises an essentially flat shape.
13. The device of claim 10, wherein the cross-members are aligned
in a substantially parallel relationship, the undeployed
configuration further comprising the outer ring and cross-members
collapsed into an elongated configuration.
14. The device of claim 10, each cross-member pivotably
intersecting with another cross-member, wherein the undeployed
configuration comprises the cross-members collapsed about the
intersections to a nearly parallel relationship, and wherein a
force exerted against an end of the collapsed cross-members moves
the device into a deployed configuration.
15. A system, comprising: a delivery cannula having a hollow lumen
and percutaneously insertable into an interior of a bone; an
elongate member insertable through the lumen of the delivery
cannula; an implantable bone support device comprising an outer
surface, an inner surface, a first bone contact portion, and a
second bone contact portion, the device releasably attachable to a
distal end of the elongate member in an undeployed configuration; a
deployment mechanism insertable through the lumen of the delivery
cannula and actuatable to deploy the bone support device into a
deployed configuration in the interior of the bone; and a release
mechanism adapted to release the bone support device from the
elongate member.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein in the deployed configuration
the first bone contact portion contacts at least a first portion of
the bone from the interior of the bone, and the second bone contact
portion contacts at least a second portion of the bone, and wherein
a load placed on the first portion of the bone is transferred
through the device to the second portion of the bone.
17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a barrier material
attached to the bone support device adapted to prohibit
substantially all flow of bone filler material from the inner
surface to the outer surface of the device.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the deployment mechanism
further comprises an expandable body adapted to be disposed inside
the device and to expand the device into the deployed
configuration.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein the deployment mechanism
further comprises a sheath covering the device in the undeployed
configuration, the sheath movable to uncover the device for
deployment into the deployed configuration.
20. The system of claim 15, further comprising a radiopaque marking
pattern in communication with at least one of the delivery cannula,
the elongate member, and the bone support device.
21. The system of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of the
bone support devices, each of the devices positionable in the
deployed configuration to support a separate portion of the
bone.
22. A kit, comprising: a delivery cannula having a hollow lumen and
percutaneously insertable into an interior of a bone; a elongate
member insertable through the lumen of the delivery cannula; and an
implantable bone support device comprising an outer surface, an
inner surface, a first bone contact portion, and a second bone
contact portion, the device releasably attachable to a distal end
of the elongate member in an undeployed configuration.
23. The kit of claim 22, wherein in the deployed configuration the
first bone contact portion contacts at least the first portion of
the bone from the interior of the bone, and the second bone contact
portion contacts at least a second portion of the bone, and wherein
a load placed on the first portion of the bone is transferred
through the device to the second portion of the bone.
24. The kit of claim 22, further comprising a barrier material
attached to the bone support device adapted to prohibit
substantially all flow of bone filler material from the inner
surface to the outer surface of the device.
25. The kit of claim 22, further comprising a deployment mechanism
insertable through the lumen of the delivery cannula and actuatable
to deploy the bone support device into a deployed configuration in
the interior of the bone.
26. The kit of claim 24, further comprising a release mechanism
adapted to release the bone support device from the elongate
member.
27. The kit of claim 22, further comprising a plurality of the bone
support devices, each of the devices positionable in the deployed
configuration to support a separate portion of the bone.
28. A method, comprising: providing an implantable bone support
device comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, a first bone
contact portion, and a second bone contact portion, the device
releasably attached in an undeployed configuration to a distal end
of an elongate member; percutaneously inserting the elongate member
and attached bone support device into an interior of a bone;
deploying the bone support device into a deployed configuration;
contacting at least a first portion of the bone with the first bone
contact portion; contacting at least a second portion of the bone
with the second bone contact portion such that a load placed on the
first portion of the bone is transferred through the device to the
second portion of the bone; releasing the bone support device from
the elongate member; and removing the elongate member from the
bone.
29. The method of claim 28, the bone comprising a vertebral body,
wherein contacting at least a first portion of the bone further
comprises contacting an endplate with the first bone contact
portion; and wherein contacting at least a second portion of the
bone further comprises contacting a side wall of the vertebral body
with the second bone contact portion.
30. The method of claim 28, the bone comprising a vertebral body
having a first endplate opposite a second endplate, wherein
contacting at least a first portion of the bone further comprises
contacting the first endplate with the first bone contact portion,
and wherein contacting at least a second portion of the bone
further comprises contacting the second endplate with the second
bone contact portion.
31. The method of claim 29, further comprising inserting an
expandable body into the bone interior, and expanding the
expandable body to restore height to the vertebral body.
32. The method of claim 28, further comprising injecting a bone
filler material adjacent the inner surface of the bone support
device.
33. The method of claim 28, wherein the bone support device further
comprises a barrier material attached to the device and adapted to
prohibit substantially all flow of bone filler material from the
inner surface to the outer surface of the device.
34. The method of claim 28, wherein deploying the bone support
device further comprises expanding the expandable body inside the
bone support device.
35. The method of claim 28, wherein the bone support device further
comprises a sheath covering the device in the undeployed
configuration, and wherein deploying the bone support device
further comprises removing the sheath from the bone support
device.
36. The method of claim 28, the bone support device further
comprising a central rod and a plurality of support members
pivotably attached to an end of the central rod, wherein deploying
the bone support device further comprises: actuating a first
mechanism to pivot the central rod to an approximately 90 degree
angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member; and
actuating a second mechanism to extend the support members
outwardly from the central rod in a circular pattern, wherein at
least a portion of an outer surface of the outwardly extending
support members comprises the first bone contact portion, and
wherein distal ends of the outwardly extending support members
comprise the second bone contact portion.
37. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing a
plurality of the bone support devices, and deploying each of the
plurality of the devices to support a separate portion of the bone.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to bone support and/or barrier
devices and systems, kits comprising a bone support and/or barrier
device, and related methods. Embodiments of the present invention
can be advantageous for providing support and/or barrier to a bone
accessed by a minimally invasive technique or other surgical
technique.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Bone may become fractured or prone to compression fracture
or collapse due to various conditions, including osteoporosis,
avascular necrosis, cancer, trauma, or other disease. If not
successfully treated, fractured or weakened bone can result in
deformities, chronic complications, and an overall adverse impact
upon the quality of life.
[0003] Minimally invasive surgical procedures have been developed
that can be used to treat fractured bones. Such minimally invasive
procedures can reduce pain, post-operative recovery time, and the
destruction of healthy tissue. In minimally invasive surgery, the
site of pathology is accessed through portals rather than through a
significant incision, thus preserving the integrity of intervening
tissues. These minimally invasive techniques also often require
only local anesthesia.
[0004] Minimally invasive surgical techniques are particularly
desirable for spinal and neurosurgical applications because of the
need for access to locations deep within the body and the danger of
damage to vital intervening tissues associated with conventional
"open" access techniques. The development of minimally invasive
spinal procedures, for example, for repair of vertebral compression
fractures, has resulted in reduced recovery time and decreased
post-operative pain as such procedures require minimal, if any,
muscle dissection and can be performed under local anesthesia.
[0005] Minimally invasive procedures for reducing a vertebral
compression fracture ("VCF") can include inserting a bone tamp,
such as an expandable balloon, curette, and/or other device into a
vertebral body. The bone tamp can be used to create a void, or
interior cavity, in the cancellous bone in the vertebral body. The
void can be filled with a filling material, such as a bone cement,
in order to provide interior structural support for cortical
bone.
[0006] In certain applications, it may be desirable to provide
structural support to a bone structure after a void has been
created inside the bone structure. For example, a bone tamp may be
utilized to create a void inside a vertebral body and displace an
endplate of the vertebral body to restore the height of the
vertebral body. In certain clinical situations, it may be desirable
to provide structural support to the endplate in order to maintain
the position of the endplate after the bone tamp has been removed
prior to injection of bone cement to fill the void.
[0007] In certain disease states, such as osteoporosis, vertebral
bodies may be particularly susceptible to VCF. Moreover, patients
who have suffered a VCF may be at risk for additional VCFs. The
occurrence or reoccurrence of VCFs may be related to collapse of an
endplate into the vertebral body. Thus, in certain medical
situations, it may be desirable to provide structural support to
the endplate of a vertebral body to prevent the endplate from
collapsing. In clinical situations in which the height of a
collapsed vertebral body has been restored, it may be desirable to
provide structural support to maintain the height of the
endplate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention can provide bone
support and/or barrier devices and systems, kits comprising a bone
support and/or barrier device, and related methods. Some
embodiments are useful for supporting a bony structure in an
interior body region in a human or animal accessed utilizing
minimally invasive surgery.
[0009] In an illustrative embodiment, the bone support device can
comprise an implantable structure having an outer surface, an inner
surface, a first bone contact portion, and a second bone contact
portion. A portion of the outer surface can comprise the first bone
contact portion. The structure can be collapsible to an undeployed
configuration capable of percutaneous insertion to the interior of
a bone and expandable to a deployed configuration in the interior
of the bone. In some embodiments, when the structure is in the
deployed configuration, the first bone contact portion can contact
at least a first portion of the bone from the interior of the bone,
and the second bone contact portion can contact at least a second
portion of the bone. In this manner, a load placed on the first
portion of the bone can be transferred through the implantable
structure to the second portion of the bone. In certain
embodiments, the device can be implanted in a vertebral body such
that the first bone contact portion of the device can contact an
endplate and the second bone contact portion can contact cortical
bone about a perimeter of the vertebral body, for example, the
cortical bone in the vertebral body side wall.
[0010] In some embodiments, the bone support device can comprise a
structure that when deployed can extend between the superior
endplate and the inferior endplate in a vertebral body. In this
manner, a load placed on the superior endplate can be transferred
through the device to the inferior endplate to provide structural
support to the superior endplate. In certain embodiments, the bone
support device can comprise a structure that when deployed can
contact the endplate and both the cortical bone in the vertebral
body side wall and the cortical bone in the inferior endplate. Such
a configuration can provide structural support to the superior
endplate by transferring a load from the superior endplate to both
the vertebral body side wall and the inferior endplate.
[0011] In some embodiments, the bone support device may be utilized
to provide structural support to the interior of a bone without use
of any additional support mechanisms, for example, injection of a
bone cement. In other embodiments, the bone support device may be
inserted into the interior of a bone, and a bone cement can be
injected into the bone interior to provide further structural
support to the bone.
[0012] In some embodiments, the implantable structure can include a
barrier material attached to the structure that is adapted to
prohibit substantially all of a bone filler material inserted into
the bone adjacent the inner surface of the structure from flowing
to the outer surface of the structure.
[0013] Other embodiments can comprise a system or a kit including
an implantable bone support device having an outer surface, an
inner surface, a first bone contact portion, and a second bone
contact portion. The device can be releasably attached to the
distal end of an elongate member, such as a deployment cannula, in
an undeployed configuration. Such a system or kit can further
include a delivery cannula having a hollow lumen that can be
percutaneously inserted into the interior of a bone. The elongate
member and the attached bone support device may be inserted through
the lumen of the delivery cannula to the bone interior.
[0014] A system or kit can further include a deployment mechanism
that can be inserted through the lumen of the delivery cannula and
actuated to deploy the bone support device into a deployed
configuration in the interior of the bone. In some embodiments, the
system or kit can also include a release mechanism adapted to
release the bone support device from the elongate member. Some
embodiments of a system or kit can include a plurality of the
implantable bone support devices, in which each of the devices can
be inserted into the interior of a bone and deployed such that the
deployed configurations support a separate portion of the bone.
[0015] Some embodiments of the present invention can comprise a
barrier material that can be inserted into the interior of a bone
and adapted to prohibit substantially all of a bone filler material
inserted into the bone from flowing through and/or around the
barrier material. Such embodiments of a barrier material may
prevent the undesirable flow of the bone filler material into and
through a compromised portion of the bone. For example, an
embodiment of a such a barrier material inserted into a void
created in the interior of a vertebral body may prevent the flow of
subsequently injected bone cement through and/or around the barrier
material into a compromised endplate and/or vertebral body wall. In
this manner, the barrier material may prevent leakage of the bone
cement through the endplate and/or vertebral body wall. Such
embodiments of a barrier material may be utilized without any other
structural supports.
[0016] Other embodiments can comprise a method for supporting a
bone utilizing an implantable bone support device. The bone support
device can comprise an outer surface, an inner surface, a first
bone contact portion, and a second bone contact portion. The device
can be releasably attached to the distal end of an elongate member
in an undeployed configuration. The elongate member and attached
bone support device can be percutaneously inserted into the
interior of a bone. In some embodiments, such a method can further
include actuating a deployment mechanism to deploy the bone support
device into a deployed configuration. Deploying the device into a
deployed configuration can cause the first bone contact portion to
contact at least a first portion of the bone from the interior of
the bone, and the second bone contact portion to contact at least a
second portion of the bone. In this manner, a load placed on the
first portion of the bone can be transferred through the device to
the second portion of the bone. For example, in certain
embodiments, the device can be implanted in a vertebral body such
that the first bone contact portion of the device can contact an
endplate and the second bone contact portion can contact cortical
bone about a perimeter of the vertebral body, for example, the
cortical bone in the vertebral body side wall. Some embodiments of
a method may further include selectively positioning the bone
support device in a desired location and orientation in the
interior of the bone prior to, during, or after actuating the
deployment mechanism. In certain embodiments, a method can include
releasing the bone support device from the elongate member. The
elongate member may then be removed from the bone. In some
embodiments, such a method may further include inserting an
expandable body into the interior of a bone, such as a vertebral
body, and expanding the expandable body to create a void and/or
move a collapsed or partially collapsed endplate so as to restore
the height of the vertebral body.
[0017] Features of a bone support device, system, kit, and methods
of the present invention may be accomplished singularly, or in
combination, in one or more of the embodiments of the present
invention. As will be realized by those of skill in the art, many
different embodiments of a bone support device, system, kit, and
method for supporting a bone according to the present invention are
possible. Additional uses, advantages, and features of embodiments
of the invention are set forth in the illustrative embodiments
discussed in the detailed description herein and will become more
apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the
following.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of a bone support device system having
an implantable structure attached to the distal end of an elongate
member inserted through a delivery cannula in an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is an elevation (lateral) view of several human
vertebrae, with a delivery cannula establishing a path to a
vertebral body of one of the vertebrae.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a plan (coronal) view of a human vertebra being
accessed by a delivery cannula, with portions of the vertebra
removed to reveal cancellous bone within a vertebral body.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view of a bone support device attached to
the distal end of an elongate member and a handle having a
deployment mechanism attached to the proximal end of the elongate
member in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a vertebral body showing
the bone support device in FIG. 4, pivoted toward an endplate in an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a vertebral body
showing the bone support device in FIG. 4, fully deployed in
contact with an endplate and walls of the vertebral body in an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a vertebral body
showing an embodiment of the bone support device having two sets of
support members, one set of support members fully deployed in
contact with an endplate and walls of the vertebral body and the
other set of support members fully deployed in contact with both
the superior and inferior endplates, in another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a view of a bone support device comprising an
implantable frame structure having an outer ring and cross-members
in another embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a vertebral body showing
a bone support device comprising a dome-shaped implantable frame
structure having an outer ring and cross-members that is fully
deployed in contact with an endplate and walls of the vertebral
body in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a vertebral body showing
a bone support device comprising a flat-shaped implantable frame
structure having an outer ring and cross-members that is fully
deployed in contact with an endplate and walls of the vertebral
body in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a plan (coronal) view of a human vertebra with
portions of the vertebra removed showing a bone support device
comprising a semi-circular-shaped implantable frame structure
having an outer ring and cross-members that is fully deployed in
contact with walls of the vertebral body in an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a side view of a bone support device comprising
an implantable frame structure having an outer ring and
cross-members in an elongated, undeployed configuration in an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a view of cross-members of a bone support device
comprising an implantable frame structure showing the cross-members
having pivotable intersections with other cross-members in an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a view of the cross-members in FIG. 12, in which
the cross-members have been collapsed into an undeployed
configuration by pivoting at the cross-member intersections in an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIGS. 14A-C are plan (coronal) views of a human vertebra
with portions of the vertebra removed and showing a delivery
cannula inserted into the interior of the vertebral body using an
extra-pedicular approach in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14B shows a bone support device delivered on the distal end of
an elongate member through the delivery cannula into the interior
of the vertebral body. FIG. 14C shows the delivery cannula
retracted toward the extra-pedicular entry site in the vertebral
body wall and the bone support device being further deployed in the
interior of the vertebral body.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a bone support device
comprising an implantable six-sided frame structure having
pivotable joints in at least some of the frame members in an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a vertebral body
showing the bone support device in FIG. 14, in a fully deployed
configuration in contact with an endplate and walls of the
vertebral body in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 17 is a view of the bone support device in FIG. 15, in
which the frame members have been pivoted about the pivot joints
into a collapsed, undeployed configuration in an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0036] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a vertebral body
showing a bone support device comprising a disc of material wrapped
about an elongate member in an undeployed configuration in an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a vertebral body
showing the bone support device in FIG. 18, in which the disc of
material is partially unwrapped by expansion of an expandable body
inside the disc in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a vertebral body
showing the bone support device in FIG. 18, in a fully deployed
configuration in contact with an endplate and walls of the
vertebral body in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating a method for supporting
a bone in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIGS. 22A-B are cross-sectional views of a vertebral body
showing a vertebral body access in the vertebral body wall in an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] Embodiments of the present invention can provide bone
support and/or barrier devices, systems, and kits, and methods.
Some embodiments are useful for supporting a bony structure in an
interior body region in a human or animal accessed utilizing a
minimally invasive surgery technique. The devices, systems, kits,
and methods can be adapted for use in many suitable interior body
regions, wherever the support, repair, and/or protection of one or
more layers of tissue may be required for a therapeutic or
diagnostic purpose. The illustrative embodiments are associated
with devices, systems, kits, and methods used to treat bones. Other
embodiments may be utilized in other interior body regions or with
other types of tissues.
[0042] As used in this specification and the appended claims,
"proximal" is defined as nearer to a point of reference such as an
origin, a point of attachment, or the midline of the body. As used
in this specification and the appended claims, "distal" is defined
as farther from a point of reference, such as an origin, a point of
attachment, or the midline of the body. Thus, the words "proximal"
and "distal" refer to, for example, direction nearer to and farther
from, respectively, an operator (for example, surgeon, physician,
nurse, technician, etc.) who inserts a medical device into a
patient, with the distal end, or tip, of the device inserted inside
the patient's body. For example, the end of a medical device
inserted inside the patient's body is the distal end of the medical
device, while the end of the medical device outside the patient's
body is the proximal end of the medical device.
[0043] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a view of a system
10 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprising a
bone support and/or barrier device 13. The system 10 is configured
to allow an user to deliver and/or deploy the bone support and/or
device 13 in a targeted area in an interior body region, such as
the interior 33 of a bone. The system 10 includes an implantable
structure 30 attached to the distal end 16 of the elongate member
14 that is configured to be used, for example, in a minimally
invasive procedure for repairing a vertebral compression
fracture.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 can comprise a delivery
cannula 11 having a proximal end and a distal end 12. The delivery
cannula 11 may be fabricated from a material selected to facilitate
advancement and rotation of the elongate member 14 movably disposed
within a hollow lumen of the delivery cannula 11. The delivery
cannula 11 can be constructed, for example, using standard
flexible, medical grade plastic materials, such as vinyl,
polyamides, polyolefins, ionomers, polyurethane, polyether ether
ketone (PEEK), polycarbonates, polyimides, and polyethylene
tetraphthalate (PET). The delivery cannula 11 can be constructed as
a bi-layer or a tri-layer of one or more of these materials. The
delivery cannula 11 can also comprise more rigid materials to
impart greater stiffness and thereby aid in its manipulation and
torque transmission capabilities. More rigid materials useful for
this purpose include stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloys (such
as Nitinol), and other metal alloys.
[0045] The embodiment of the system 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises
the elongate member 14 movably disposed within the delivery cannula
11. The elongate member 14 can be have a hollow lumen that allows
for movement of a flowable material, for example, a liquid or a
gas, through the elongate member 14. The elongate member 14 may be
made from a resilient inert material providing torsion transmission
capabilities, for example, stainless steel, a nickel-titanium alloy
such as Nitinol, and other suitable metal alloys. In other
embodiments, the elongate member 14 may be fashioned from a variety
of suitable materials, such as a carbon fiber, a glass, or a
flexible material, for example, as a plastic or rubber. In an
embodiment comprising a flexible elongate member 14, the elongate
member 14 may be formed, for example, from twisted wire filaments,
such as stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloys (such as Nitinol),
and other suitable metal alloys.
[0046] The elongate member 14 may include a handle 50, for example,
as shown in FIG. 4, at its proximal end 15 to aid in gripping and
maneuvering the elongate member 14. Such a handle 50 can be formed
from a plastic or foam material and secured about the proximal end
15 of the elongate member 14. In some embodiments, the elongate
member 14, and thereby the implantable structure 30, may be in
communication with a controller, such as a slide controller, a
pistol grip controller (as shown in FIG. 4), a ratcheting
controller, a threaded controller, or any other suitable type of
controller that can be configured to permit a user of the system 10
to control the extent to which the implantable structure of the
bone support device extends beyond the distal end 16 of the
elongate member 14. Such a controller may permit a user of the
system 10 to manipulate the implantable structure 30, for example,
to provide rotational torque and thereby control rotation of the
elongate member 14 and the implantable structure 30.
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, an elevation (lateral) view
of several human vertebrae 20 is shown, with the delivery cannula
11 establishing a percutaneous path along its elongated axis 52 to
a vertebral body 21 of one of the several vertebrae 20. The
vertebral body 21 extends on the anterior (i.e., front or chest)
side of the vertebrae 20. The vertebral body 21 comprises an
exterior formed from compact cortical bone 24. Cortical bone (24)
is defined as bone consisting of, or relating to, cortex, or outer
layer of a bony structure. The cortical bone 24 encloses an
interior volume of reticulated cancellous 25, or spongy, bone (also
called medullary bone or trabecular bone).
[0048] Due to various traumatic or pathologic conditions, such as
osteoporosis, a vertebral body 21 can experience a vertebral
compression fracture (VCF). In such conditions, cancellous bone 25
can be compacted, causing a decrease in height of the vertebra 20.
In a VCF in particular, vertebral height tends to be lost in the
anterior region of the vertebral body 21. The user of the system 10
may utilize it to provide a cavity, or void, within the vertebral
body 21, and to restore height to the vertebral body 21 lost when a
fracture occurred.
[0049] The upper and/or the lower surface of a vertebral body 21
with which an intervertebral disc has contact is defined as a
vertebral body endplate 22. Each vertebral body 21 has a top, or
superior, endplate 22 and a bottom, or inferior, endplate 22.
Vertebral body endplates 22 comprise cortical bone 24. The
perimeters of the endplates 22 are reinforced due to the generally
perpendicular proximity to the cortical bone 24 in the walls 23 of
the vertebral body. However, the tissue inside the vertebral body
21 is soft cancellous bone 25. As a result, the middle portion of
the endplates 22 may not be well supported anatomically and may
thus be the most susceptible to deformation and collapse.
[0050] The vertebral body 21 is in the general shape of an oval
disc. As FIGS. 2 and 3 show, access to the interior volume of the
vertebral body 21 can be achieved, for example, by drilling an
access portal through a rear side of the vertebral body 21 (a
postero-lateral approach). The portal for the postero-lateral
approach enters at a posterior side of the vertebral body 21 and
extends anteriorly into the vertebral body 21. Alternatively,
access into the interior 33 volume of a vertebral body 21 can be
accomplished by drilling an access portal through one or both
pedicles 26 of the vertebra 20. This is known as a transpedicular
approach.
[0051] Some embodiments of the present invention, for example, the
system 10 can be configured to be used, for example, in a
kyphoplasty procedure. Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical
procedure for reducing a vertebral fracture and restoring height to
an injured or diseased vertebra 20. In a kyphoplasty procedure,
after a cavity is formed in a vertebral body 21, a bone filler
material can be introduced into the resulting cavity to provide
increased height and stability to the vertebra 20.
[0052] Applications and uses of embodiments of the bone support
and/or barrier devices 13 can vary depending on various clinical
factors. For example, some embodiments of bone support devices 13
and/or systems 10 of the present invention may be utilized to
repair a fractured bony structure from the interior 33 of a bone.
Alternatively, or in addition, some embodiments may be implanted as
a preventative measure to help reduce the incidence of fractures in
certain patients.
[0053] In some embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device
13 may be implanted into the interior of a bone alone. In other
embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device 13 may be
implanted into the interior of a bone in combination with a bone
filler material. For example, the expandable body 17, such as a
balloon kyphoplasty bone tamp, may be utilized to create a void in
the vertebral body 21. After the void is created, the bone support
and/or barrier device 13 may be inserted into and deployed in the
vertebral body 13. Once the device 13 is in a desired position, a
bone cement can be injected into the void to fill the rest of the
void.
[0054] In some clinical situations, expansion of the expandable
body 17 may create enough lift to move the superior endplate 22 in
relation to the inferior endplate 22, thereby restoring height to
the collapsed vertebral body 21. However, once the expandable body
17 is removed, the superior endplate 22 may partially or completely
collapse from its restored height. In such a situation, the bone
support device 13 may be implanted in the vertebral body 21 to
maintain the restored height of the vertebral body 21.
[0055] In some embodiments, the bone support device 13 may be
inserted into and deployed in the interior of the vertebral body 21
along with the expandable body 17 such that once height restoration
is achieved and the expandable body 17 is retracted from the
vertebral body 21, the bone support device 13 can remain inside the
vertebral body 21 to provide support to the endplate 22. In other
embodiments, once a void is created and the height of the vertebral
body 21 is restored, the expandable body 17 can be removed from the
vertebral body 21. After the expandable body 17 is removed, the
bone support device 13 can be inserted to the interior of the
vertebral body 21 through the same percutaneous path as the
expandable body 17. Once in a desired position inside the vertebral
body 21, the bone support device 13 can be deployed to maintain the
endplates 22 in a position of restored height and prevent the
endplates 22 from migrated back towards each other. In such an
embodiment, the bone support device 13 can be adapted to expand
with a lifting force on the endplates 22 sufficient to restore the
height of the vertebral body 21 between the endplates 22.
[0056] In some clinical situations, it may be desirable to avoid
the use of a bone filler material. Thus, in some embodiments, the
bone support device 13 may be deployed in the vertebral body 21
without injection of a bone filler material, or cement. In other
embodiments, once the bone support device 13 is in position in the
vertebral body 21, a bone filler material may be injected into the
vertebral body 21 to provide further structural support to the
endplates 22 and vertebral body 21.
[0057] In some embodiments, the bone support device 13 can be
configured such that once deployed inside the vertebral body 21, it
can transfer a load, or force, 34 exerted downward along the axis
of the superior endplate 21 towards the vertebral body walls 23,
thereby supporting the superior endplate 22. In other embodiments,
the bone support device 13 can be configured such that once
deployed inside the vertebral body 21, it can transfer the load 34
exerted downward along the axis of the superior endplate 22 towards
the inferior endplate 22 and thus provide support to the superior
endplate 22. In still other embodiments, the bone support device 13
can be configured such that once deployed inside the vertebral body
21, it can support the superior endplate 22 by transferring an
axial load 34 exerted on the superior endplate 21 towards both the
vertebral body walls 23 and the inferior endplate 22.
[0058] FIG. 3 shows a vertebra 20 being accessed by the system 10
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vertebra
20 is shown with portions removed to reveal cancellous bone 25
within the vertebral body 21. The user of the system 10 may slide
the elongate member 14 and attached components axially, or
lengthwise, along the elongated axis 52, within the delivery
cannula 11 to deliver the components to the targeted treatment
site.
[0059] In a kyphoplasty procedure, or other vertebral body repair
procedure, the elongate member 14 can have attached to its distal
end 16 a device for creating a void, or cavity, in the cancellous
bone 25 of the vertebral body 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the
void-creating device can be an expandable body 17, such as an
inflatable balloon, as shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, other
apparatus and methods can be used to create a void within a
vertebral body 21 or other bony structure. The user may rotate the
elongate member 14, and thereby the expandable body 17, to position
the expandable body 17 for selective expansion in the target
treatment area.
[0060] After the expandable body 17 is moved beyond the distal end
12 of the delivery cannula 11, the expandable body 17 may be
expanded from a contracted state to an expanded state to provide a
cavity within the cancellous bone 25. The expandable body 17 may be
expanded by movement of a flowable material, for example, normal
saline, through the hollow elongate member 14 and into the interior
of the expandable body 17. Embodiments of an expandable body 17 can
move the superior and/or inferior endplates 22 of a vertebral body
21 toward a more normal anatomical position to restore height. In
this manner, the outer dimensions of the vertebral body 21 can be
maintained an/or restored. Once a desired void has been created,
the expandable body 17 may be contracted by withdrawing the
flowable material out of the expandable body 17 through the hollow
lumen of the elongate member 14. The elongate member 14 and the
contracted expandable body 17 may then be withdrawn through the
delivery cannula 11.
[0061] In a minimally invasive procedure, an embodiment of the bone
support and/or barrier device 13 can be inserted percutaneously to
a treatment site in a collapsed, or closed, undeployed
configuration. Once the undeployed bone support and/or barrier
device 13 is in a desired position in the interior 33 of a bone,
the device 13 can be expanded to a deployed configuration. The bone
support and/or barrier device 13 can be expanded, or deployed, to
its deployed configuration with various deployment mechanisms. One
such mechanism for deploying the bone support and/or barrier device
13 from its undeployed configuration can be the expandable body 17,
which may be, for example, an inflatable balloon.
[0062] The expandable body 17 may be attached to the distal end 16
of the elongate member 14 and inserted through the lumen of the
delivery cannula 11 to the target site. The expandable body 17 can
then be expanded, such as by inserting a flowable material through
the hollow elongate member 14 and into the interior of the
expandable body 17. Expanding the expandable body 17 inside the
undeployed bone support and/or barrier device 13 can cause the bone
support and/or barrier device 13 to expand outwardly from its
undeployed configuration into its deployed configuration. In
addition, in some embodiments, expanding the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 outwardly can cause the device 13 to be moved to
a desired position within a bony structure. In some embodiments,
the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be moved outwardly by
other deployment mechanisms, for example, a hydraulic mechanism, by
mechanical actuation, or by other suitable mechanisms and/or
interfaces.
[0063] In some embodiments of the present invention, the bone
support and/or barrier device 13 can be delivered to a target area,
for example, in the interior 33 of a bone, simultaneously with the
expandable device 17. In such embodiments, the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 can be deployed with the expandable body 17 from
a first, collapsed state or configuration to a second, expanded
state or configuration in the target area. In other embodiments, a
void can be created with the expandable body 17 and the expandable
body 17 removed. Then, the bone support and/or barrier device 13
can be delivered through the delivery cannula 11 to the target area
and deployed with an expandable device 17 or other deployment
mechanism.
[0064] After the expandable body 17 is removed, a material or
filler, such as a bone cement, may be used to fill the void
provided by the system 10. Use of a filler material may be
beneficial in certain treatment areas, for example, in a vertebra
20 where the system 10 is used to restore height to a vertebral
body 21. Such a bone filler material can distribute an axial load
34 (as shown in FIG. 6) transferred from the vertebral body 21
surfaces to the hardened filler material, ultimately strengthening
the spine.
[0065] Embodiments according to the present invention are not
limited in application to human vertebrae 20, and may be used to
provide support to bony structures within other parts of a living
or non-living organism. In certain embodiments, the system 10 can
be utilized in various locations within the human body, depending
upon the treatment goals as well as the anatomy of the targeted
bone. For example, embodiments of a bone support device 13 and/or
system 10 may be utilized in the treatment of areas within the body
other than the vertebra 21, including, for example, the ribs, the
femur, the radius, the ulna, the tibia, the humerus, the calcaneus,
or the spine.
[0066] One illustrative embodiment of the bone support device is
shown in FIGS. 4-6B. As shown in FIG. 6A, the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 can comprise a deployed configuration having an
arch, or dome, shape 44 similar to the shape of an opened
umbrella.
[0067] After the delivery cannula 11 has been percutaneously
inserted to a target area in an interior body region, such as in a
vertebral body 21, the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be
delivered to the target area through the delivery cannula 11. As
shown in FIG. 6A, the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be
pivotably attached in a collapsed, undeployed configuration to the
distal end 16 of the elongate member 14 and delivered through the
delivery cannula 11 to the target site. In some embodiments, the
handle 50 can be attached to the proximal end 15 of the elongate
member 14 outside a patient's body. The handle 50 can include a
mechanism that can be used to deploy the bone support device 13
into a deployed configuration.
[0068] The bone support and/or barrier device 13 may be delivered
to a target surgical site using other access devices. For example,
in some embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can
be delivered into a target bony structure using a conventional bone
filler device (not shown). Alternatively, the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 may be attached to the distal end of a modified
curette (not shown) and delivered on the modified curette through
the delivery cannula 11 to the target site.
[0069] As shown in the embodiments in FIGS. 4-6B, the implantable
structure 30 of the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can
comprise a central rod 40 pivotably attached about a pivot 43 to
the distal end 16 of the elongate member 14. A plurality of support
members 41 can be pivotably attached to the distal end 42 of the
central rod 40 such that the support members 41 can be extended
outwardly in a circular pattern. In the deployed configuration, the
plurality of outwardly extending support members 41 can form an
arch, or dome shape 44.
[0070] When used in a vertebral body repair procedure, the bone
support and/or barrier device 13 can be positioned in a desired
location within the vertebral body 21, for example, in a void
created in the center of the vertebral body 21 between the
endplates 22. Once the bone support and/or barrier device 13 is in
position, a first deployment mechanism 51 in the handle 50 can be
actuated to pivot, or "cock," the bone support device 13, for
example, approximately 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis
52 of the elongate member 14 to point the distal end 42 of the
central rod 40 toward an endplate 22. (See FIG. 5.) A second
deployment mechanism 53 in the handle 50 can then be actuated to
extend the support members 41 outwardly from the central rod 40 so
as to deploy the device 13 into its operative configuration. (See
FIGS. 6A-B.) In some embodiments, the first (rod pivoting)
deployment mechanism 51 can be actuated by partially depressing the
trigger portion of the handle 50. The second (support member
extending) deployment mechanism 53 may be actuated by further
depressing the trigger portion of the handle 50. Other mechanisms
for deploying the bone support and/or barrier device 13 may be
used. For example, ratcheted or spring-loaded mechanisms may be
used to help deploy the bone support and/or barrier device 13. In
some embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can
comprise a shape memory material that can facilitate deployment of
the device.
[0071] Some embodiments of the bone support and/or barrier device
13 can include a mechanism to release the device 13 from the distal
end 16 of the elongate member 14 after it has been deployed and
positioned in a desired position in a vertebral body 21. For
example, one end of the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can
include threads and can be threaded onto mating threads on the
distal end 14 of the elongate member 14. When the device 13 is in
position, the elongate member 14 can be rotated so as to "unscrew"
the elongate member 14 from the bone support and/or barrier device
13 and release the device 13 into the vertebral body 21. In another
embodiment, the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be fit
snugly over the distal end 16 of the elongate member 14. When the
device 13 is in position, the device 13 can be urged off the end 16
of the elongate member 14 by slightly retracting the elongate
member 14 such that the proximal edge of the device 13 contacts the
distal edge 12 of the delivery cannula 11, thus releasing the
device 13 into the vertebral body 21. Alternative release
mechanisms adapted to release the central rod 40 from the elongate
member 14 can be employed.
[0072] Some embodiments of the bone support and/or barrier device
13 can comprise an implantable structure 30 having an outer surface
31, an inner surface 32, a first bone contact portion 35, and a
second bone contact portion 36. As shown in the embodiments in
FIGS. 6A-B, in its deployed configuration, the implantable
structure 30 of the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be
positioned so that the outer surface 31 of the arch-shaped,
outwardly extending support members 41 contacts the center, or near
the center, of the endplate 22. That is, at least a portion of the
outer surface 31 of the outwardly extending support members 41 can
comprise the first bone contact portion 35. When the outer surface
31 of the structure 30 is in contact with the endplate 22, the
distal ends 42 of the outwardly extending support members 40 can be
positioned in contact with cortical bone 24 about the perimeter of
the vertebral body 21. Thus, the distal ends 42 about a perimeter
of the outwardly extending support members 41 can comprise the
second bone contact portion 36 of the device 13.
[0073] With the outer surface 31 of the device 13 in contact with
the endplate 22 and the distal ends 42 of the support members 41 in
contact with the vertebral body walls 23, the axial load 34 placed
on the endplate 22, particularly in the center of the endplate 22,
can be transferred through the device 13 to the stronger cortical
bone 24 in the vertebral body walls 23. As a result, the bone
support device 13 can spread out the load 34 on the endplate 22 and
distribute it more evenly across a larger area and against more
rigid structures (cortical bone 24) in the vertebral body 21. If
the axial load 34 on the endplate 22 reaches an amount such that
the endplate 22 begins to deform, the pressure against the bone
support device 13 can cause the device 13 to place more spreading
force on the support members 41. As the support members 41 spread
farther from the center of the device 13 in a flattening manner due
to the load 34 transferred from the endplate 22, the perimeter of
the device 13 can be pushed more tightly against the cortical bone
24, which can provide support against further deformation of the
endplate 22.
[0074] In some embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device
13 can be positioned in a vertebral body 21 to deploy, or expand,
upwardly toward a superior endplate 22 or to expand downwardly
toward an inferior endplate 22. The elongate member 14 can be
rotated to position the bone support and/or barrier device 13 so
that it is oriented in either the upward or downward position. In
other embodiments, the device 13 can include two or more sets of
support members 41. One set of support members 41 can be deployed
upwardly into contact with the superior endplate 22, and another
set of support members 41 can deployed downwardly into contact with
the inferior endplate 22.
[0075] In other embodiments, each of a plurality of bone support
devices 13 can be adapted in the deployed configuration to support
a separate portion of the bone. For example, a first bone support
device 13 can be inserted into a vertebral body 21 and deployed
into contact with one endplate 22. Following deployment of the
first bone support device 13, a second bone support device 13 can
be inserted into the vertebral body 21 and deployed into contact
with the opposite endplate 22.
[0076] Some embodiments of a bone support device 13 of the present
invention can provide support or protection to an endplate 22 that
may be weakened due to a disease process, for example, increased
porosity due to osteoporosis. Such a weakened endplate 22 may be
reinforced in the middle portion of the endplate 22 and thus help
protect against possible vertebral compression fractures. In other
embodiments, the bone support device 13 can provide support to an
already compromised anatomical structure, such as a vertebral body
endplate 22, while an adjacent void is being created, during
reconstruction of nearby structures, and/or while a bone filler
material is inserted and cured in the void.
[0077] In some embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device
13 can be utilized in combination with a bone filler material that
can be inserted into a vertebral body void adjacent the device 13.
In some embodiments, the bone filler material, or cement, can
provide structural support adjacent the bone support and/or barrier
device 13 for protecting the integrity of the vertebral body 21.
Alternatively, the bone support device 13can be utilized without a
bone filler material.
[0078] The bone support device 13 can be made from various surgical
materials suitable for use in an interior body region. For example,
the bone support device 13 can be made from materials such as
titanium, a shape memory material such as Nitinol, stainless steel,
and/or polymers that are sufficiently strong to support a bony
structure. In various embodiments, the bone support device 13 can
have a thickness sufficient to provide desired load support to an
endplate 22 to prevent deformation or collapse of the endplate 22.
For example, the device 13, including the support members 41, can
have a thickness in the range of about 1-5 mm. The desired
thickness of the device material can depend on a number of factors,
including, for example, whether the device 13 is to be permanently
implanted, whether a bone filler material is to be used with the
device 13, whether the device 13 has a lateral dimension sufficient
to span an entire endplate 22 or less than the entire endplate 22,
etc.
[0079] In some embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device
13 can have a barrier material 37, for example, as shown in FIG. 6,
connecting the support members 41. Such a span of barrier material
37 can provide additional support to an endplate 22 or other bony
structure. The barrier material 37 can be adapted to prohibit
substantially all flow of bone filler material from the inner
surface 32 of the deployed device 13 to the outer surface 31 of the
device 13. In this manner, the device 13 can help prevent leakage
of bone filler material through a compromised bone adjacent the
device 13. The barrier material 37 can comprise Teflon.RTM.
(polytetrafluoroethylene), Dacron.RTM., or other implantable,
biocompatible material. In an embodiment, the barrier material 37
can comprise an open weave pattern adapted to reduce, but not
necessarily stop, the flow of bone filler material from the inner
surface 32 to the outer surface 31 of the device 13.
[0080] In certain embodiments, the barrier material 37 can have a
porosity sufficient to allow nutrients to diffuse through the
material 37 so as to reach the interior of the vertebral body 21.
Alternatively, the barrier material 37 can be a biodegradable
material that can provide additional support to an endplate 22 for
a limited period of time, after which the material degrades and is
absorbed into surrounding tissue. Such a biodegradable material can
include nutrients that can promote bone growth.
[0081] In some embodiments, the barrier material 37 can be a solid
tubular material, for example, a thin polymeric elastic material
such as latex, placed about the exterior of the support members 41.
In an alternative embodiment, the barrier material 37 can be sheet
material, such as sheets of a thin polymeric elastic material,
attached and sealed to adjacent support members 41. The barrier
material 37 can be attached between each pair of adjacent support
members 41, or between less than each pair of adjacent support
members 41. The barrier material 37 can be attached to the device
13 by, for example, sealing the material 37 to the support members
41 with radio frequency or laser sealing or by other suitable
mechanisms.
[0082] In an embodiment, the barrier material 37 may comprise a
nanocomposite plastic material. Nanocomposites include a resin
matrix and a nano-sized reinforcing filler material. Commercially
available nano-fillers include clays, silicas, and ceramics.
Nanocomposites and nano-fillers are available commercially from the
Foster Corporation, Putnam, Conn. These fillers are small enough to
improve the strength of the resin matrix so as to provide a strong
barrier material 37, while allowing the material 37 to be extruded
as a thin structure.
[0083] Some embodiments of the bone support and/or barrier device
13 can be shaped and sized to fit a void created in the interior of
a bone. In certain embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier
device 13 can be sized so as to span across substantially all of an
endplate 22 when in a fully expanded configuration. Alternatively,
the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be sized to span less
than substantially all of an endplate 22 when fully expanded. For
example, the fully expanded device 13 can be sized to cover
approximately half or approximately one-third of the lateral
dimensions of an endplate 22. Such smaller embodiments of the bone
support device 13 can be used individually to provide protection to
a particular portion of an endplate 22. Alternatively, a plurality
of embodiments of the bone support and/or barrier device 13 having
expanded, or deployed, dimensions less than that of the lateral
dimensions of an endplate 22 can be used together to provide
protection for the entire endplate 22. It may be desirable to use
embodiments of bone support and/or barrier devices 13 having less
than the full dimensions of an endplate 22 when access for delivery
of a larger bone support device 13 to the vertebral body 21 may be
difficult. Rather than attempting to insert one larger bone support
and/or barrier device 13, two smaller bone support and/or barrier
devices 13 may be inserted, for example, one device 13 through each
pedicle of a vertebra 20 or via a different surgical approach.
[0084] The embodiment of the bone support device 13 in FIGS. 5 and
6 can have varying vertical dimensions, or heights, when in its
fully deployed configuration. For example, the bone support device
13 can have a domed or arched configuration 44 such that the height
at least initially gradually decreases from the center of the
support members 41 toward the perimeter of the support members 41.
As pressure from the endplate 22 is transferred to the device 13,
the height at the center of the device 13 can decrease as the
support members 41 spread out to a larger angle relative to the
central rod 40. In another embodiment, the bone support device 13
can have an initial fully deployed configuration that is
essentially flat about the entire lateral dimension of the device
13.
[0085] FIG. 6B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the bone
support device 13 shown in FIG. 6A. As shown in the embodiment in
FIG. 6B, the umbrella-shaped bone support device 13 can include the
first set of support members 41 as described herein and a second
set of support members 46. When the bone support device 13 is in
its deployed configuration, the second set of support members 46
can extend downward from the distal end 42 of the central rod 40 at
a more acute angle than the first set of support members 41. The
second set of support members 46 can extend the entire distance
between the superior endplate 22 and the inferior endplate 22 in
the interior of the vertebral body 21. With the outer surface 31 of
the bone support device 13 in contact with one of the endplates 22,
for example, the superior endplate 22, and the distal ends 42 of
the first set of support members 41 in contact with the vertebral
body walls 23, the axial load 34 placed on the superior endplate 22
can be transferred through the device 13 to the stronger cortical
bone 24 in the vertebral body walls 23. In addition, with the
distal ends 42 of the second set of support members 46 in contact
with the opposite, inferior endplate 22, the load 34 placed on the
superior endplate 22 contacting the outer surface 31 can be
transferred through the device 13 to the stronger cortical bone 24
in the inferior endplate 22. As a result, the bone support device
13 can spread out the load 34 on the first endplate 22 and
distribute it more evenly across a larger area and against more
rigid structures (cortical bone 24) in the vertebral body 21.
[0086] Another embodiment of the bone support device 13 is shown in
FIGS. 7-13. In such an embodiment, the bone support device 13 can
comprise an implantable structure 30 comprising a frame 60 having
an outer ring 61 and a series of cross-members 62 each extending
from one point on the outer ring 61 to another, generally opposite
point on the ring 61. The configuration of the outer ring 61 and
the cross-members 62 can form an open weave, or grid, pattern. An
open weave pattern has the advantage of allowing nutrient transfer
to the adjacent intervertebral disc.
[0087] One side of the grid of cross-members 62 can comprise the
outer surface 31 of the implantable structure 30, and the opposite
side of the grid of cross-members 62 can comprise the inner surface
32. The outer surface 31 of the cross-members 62 can comprise the
first bone contact portion of the device 13 that can contact a
first bone portion in the interior of a bone, for example, an
endplate 22 in a vertebral body 21. The outer ring 61 can comprise
the second bone contact portion that can contact a second bone
portion, for example, cortical bone 24 about the perimeter of the
vertebral body 21. In this manner, a load 34 placed on the first
portion of the bone can be transferred through the implantable
structure 30 to the second portion of the bone, thereby supporting
the first bone portion.
[0088] Embodiments of the bone support device 13 having the outer
ring 61 and a grid of cross-members 62 can have various
configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer ring 61
can have a circular or oval shape 65. In some embodiments, the bone
support device 13 comprising the outer ring 61 and a grid of
cross-members 62 can be configured to have an arched "dome" shape
66, as shown in FIG. 8, when the device 13 is deployed inside an
internal body region. Such a dome shape 66 can aid in the transfer
of the axial load 34 from the endplate 22 by providing a biased
contact between the arched outer surface 31, or convex surface 63,
of the cross-members 62 and the endplate 22. In addition, such a
dome shape 66 can allow the perimeter of the outer ring 61 to
engage cortical bone 24 along the vertebral walls 23 in a biased
manner. As a result, the load 34 can be transferred from the
supported endplate 22 to cortical bone 24 in another vertebral body
structure so as to provide a greater resistance to the load stress
in the endplate 22. In an embodiment in which the outer ring 61
does not initially engage one or more surfaces of the vertebral
walls 23, as pressure from the endplate 22 is exerted on the upper,
convex surface 63 of the cross-members 62, the remainder of the
device 13 may spread outwardly toward and into contact with
cortical bone 24 in the walls of the vertebral body 21. In this
manner, support from the cortical bone 24 in the vertebral body
walls 23 can stop further inward movement of the endplate 22. The
transfer of load stress from the endplate 22 can help protect the
endplate 22 from undergoing a compression fracture or from
experiencing extension of an existing fracture.
[0089] Another embodiment of the bone support device 13 comprising
the outer ring 61 and cross-members 62 can have an essentially flat
configuration 67, as shown in FIG. 9. In such an embodiment, the
device 13 can be delivered into the vertebral body 21 and deployed
so as to be positioned into contact with both an endplate 22 and
cortical bone 24 in the walls 23 of the vertebral body 21. That is,
the device 13 may be deployed into direct contact with the endplate
22 without further positioning (such as rotating approximately 90
degrees as with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6). In such a flat
configuration 67, load pressures 34 exerted on the endplate 22 can
be transferred through the structure of the device 13 to the
cortical bone 24 in the vertebral body walls 21.
[0090] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the outer ring
61 can be in the shape of a semi-circle 68 with one side of the
semi-circle 68 being a flat portion of the outer ring 61 and the
remainder of the semi-circle 68 being an arcuate, circumferential
edge connected to the ends of the flat portion of the outer ring
61. In this configuration, the cross-members 62 can extend from the
flat side of the outer ring 61 to the arcuate, circumferential edge
of the outer ring 61. A semi-circular configuration 68 may be
advantageous for conforming to the interior of certain bony
structures, such as a vertebral body 21.
[0091] Some embodiments of the bone support device 13 comprising
the outer ring 61 and cross-members 62 can have other
configurations that are suitable for displacing axial load
pressures 34 on an endplate 22 to other bony structures (such as
cortical bone 24). The design, shape, or configuration of the bone
support device 13 comprising the outer ring 61 and cross-members 62
can vary depending on a number of factors, including, for example,
the type of anatomical structure intended for support and
protection, the materials used to make the device 13, the type of
deployment apparatus, the location of the target site, whether
access to the target site is via open surgery or by minimally
invasive techniques, and others.
[0092] In certain embodiments, the bone support device 13
comprising the outer ring 61 and cross-members 62 can be sized so
as to span across substantially all of an endplate 22 when in a
deployed configuration. Alternatively, the bone support device 13
can be sized to span less than substantially all of an endplate 22
when fully deployed. In some embodiments, a plurality of the bone
support devices 13 can be used together to provide support to
particular portions of the endplate 22 or other bony
structure(s).
[0093] In some embodiments, the bone support device 13 can be
delivered into the interior of the vertebral body 21 through
various locations in the vertebral body wall 23 relative to the
endplate 22. For example, embodiments of the bone support device 13
can be delivered into the vertebral body 21 interior at a location
in the vertebral body wall 23 near the endplate 22 such that the
bone support device 13 can be deployed adjacent the endplate 22. As
shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, in certain embodiments, a vertebral
body access 27 can be made in the vertebral body wall 23 near the
endplate 22. The delivery cannula 11 can be inserted through the
vertebral body access 27, and the bone support device 13 can be
delivered through the delivery cannula 11 into the interior of the
vertebral body 21.
[0094] When the vertebral body access 27 is located in the
vertebral body wall near the endplate 22, as shown in FIGS. 22A and
22B, the bone support device 13 can be delivered into the vertebral
body 21 interior in a position adjacent the endplate 22. In certain
embodiments, the bone support device 13 may be delivered through
the vertebral body access 27 such that the bone support device 13
can be positioned in contact with both the endplate 22 and cortical
bone 24 in the walls 23 of the vertebral body 21. That is, the
device 13 may be deployed into direct contact with the endplate 22
without further positioning. As shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the
dimensions of the vertebral body access 27 can vary. For example,
the vertebral body access 27 may extend along the majority of the
lateral side of the vertebral body 21, as in the embodiment in FIG.
22A. In another embodiment, the vertebral body access 27 may extend
along a shorter portion, for example, less than half, of the
lateral side of the vertebral body 21, as in the embodiment in FIG.
22B.
[0095] Embodiments of the bone support device 13 comprising the
outer ring 61 and cross-members 62 can comprise various materials,
including, for example, shape memory materials such as Nitinol or
shape-memory plastics. The bone support device 13 can comprise
materials that impart suitable rigidity to provide structural
support to the target bony structure.
[0096] In some embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device
13 comprising an outer ring and cross-members can have a barrier
material 37, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 10,
connecting the cross-members 62. Such a span of barrier material 37
may provide additional support to an endplate 22 or other bony
structure. The barrier material 37 can be adapted to prohibit
substantially all flow of bone filler material from the inner
surface 32 (such as the inner concave surface of the dome-shaped
device in FIG. 8) of the deployed device 13 to the outer surface 31
of the device 13. In this manner, the device 13 can help prevent
leakage of bone filler material through a compromised bone adjacent
the device 13. In an embodiment, the barrier material 37 can
comprise an open weave or mesh design adapted to reduce, but not
necessarily stop, the flow of bone filler material from the inner
surface 32 to the outer surface 31 of the device 13. In such an
embodiment, the bone barrier device can reduce the flow of bone
filler material from the inner surface 32 to the outer surface 31
of the device 13, while allowing the flow of some bone filler
material through the barrier material 37, which can contact and
bond with a bony structure adjacent the outer surface 31 of the
device 13. In yet another embodiment, the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 can include through holes in either the
cross-members 62 or the barrier material 37, or both, so that the
bone filler material can penetrate through the device 13 to fill
the space in the void both adjacent the inner surface 32 and
adjacent the outer surface 31 of the device 13.
[0097] Some embodiments of the bone support device comprising an
outer ring and cross-members can be inserted into an interior body
region such as a vertebral body via a minimally invasive technique.
For example, the delivery cannula 11 having a hollow lumen can be
percutaneously inserted to the interior of a vertebral body. The
bone support device 13 can be releasably attached in an undeployed
configuration to the distal end 16 of the elongate member 14. The
elongate member 14 and the attached bone support device 13 can be
inserted through the lumen of the delivery cannula 11 into the
vertebral body. When the bone support device 13 is in a desired
position in the vertebral body, the device can be deployed into a
deployed configuration into contact with the endplate, vertebral
body walls, and/or other bony structures in the vertebral body.
Then, the bone support device 13 can be released from the elongate
member 14, and the elongate member 14 and delivery cannula 11
removed from the vertebral body.
[0098] Some embodiments of the bone support device 13 comprising an
outer ring and cross-members can be collapsed from a deployed, or
expanded, configuration to an undeployed, or collapsed,
configuration have a geometry sized and shaped so as to fit through
the lumen of the delivery cannula 11.
[0099] In some embodiments, the cross-members 62 can be configured
to extend in different directions relative to other cross-members
62. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 10,
and 11, the cross-members 62 can be configured to extend from one
position to another position on the outer ring 61 in a
substantially parallel relationship 69 to each other. In other
embodiments, for example, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the
cross-members 62 can be configured to extend so as to intersect
with other cross-members 62 and form an open weave pattern. The
cross-members 62 can be configured in any pattern suitable for
providing structural support to a bony structure, such as a
vertebral body endplate 22, and that is amenable to being
percutaneously inserted into an interior body region in an
undeployed, or collapsed, configuration.
[0100] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the bone support
device 13 comprising the outer ring 61 and cross-members 62 can be
extended, or "stretched," along its longitudinal axis so as to form
a more narrow, elongated configuration 71 that can be inserted
through the delivery cannula 11. FIGS. 12 and 13 show another
embodiment of a cross-member design, in which the cross-members 62
can have an expanded, deployed configuration in which the
cross-members 62 are aligned at approximately right angles relative
to each other in an open weave, or "X-shaped" pattern. The
cross-members 62 can be pivotably connected at intersections 72 at
which they cross. By mechanically pulling on the ends of the
cross-members 62, the cross-members 62 can be pivoted about the
intersections 72 such that the cross-members 62 can collapse to a
nearly parallel relationship 69. FIG. 13 shows the cross-members 62
in an intermediate position between a deployed configuration as in
FIG. 12 and a fully collapsed, undeployed configuration. In this
manner, the bone support device 13 having the outer ring 61 and
cross-members 62 can be collapsed into an undeployed configuration
so as to fit through the lumen of the delivery cannula 11 for
insertion into an interior body region. Once the bone support
device 13 is inserted into the interior body region, such as the
vertebral body 22, a force can be exerted against at least one of
the ends of the collapsed cross-members 62 so as to mechanically
push, or expand, the cross-members 62 back into their original
deployed configuration.
[0101] Expansion of the bone support and/or barrier device 13 from
an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration may be
facilitated by using a shape memory material, such as Nitinol or
shape-memory plastics, in the device 13. When the device 13 is in a
desired position in a vertebral body 22, heat from the patient's
body can cause the shape memory material to deploy into its
expanded deployed configuration.
[0102] In some embodiments, the implantable bone support and/or
barrier device 13 can be delivered to the interior of the vertebral
body 21 by a trans-pedicular approach, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, 8-10,
15, and 17-19. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS.
14A-14C, the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be delivered
to the interior of the vertebral body 21 by an extra-pedicular
approach. As shown in FIG. 14A, in an extra-pedicular approach, the
delivery cannula 11 may be inserted into and positioned within the
vertebral body 21 from a position lateral to one of the vertebral
body pedicles 26. As an example, FIG. 14B illustrates the delivery
cannula 11 in place in the vertebral body 21 using an
extra-pedicular approach. The elongate member 14 can be inserted
through the delivery cannula 11 such that the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 attached to the distal end 16 of the elongate
member 14 can be deployed inside the vertebral body 21. The
embodiment of the bone support and/or barrier device 13 illustrated
in FIGS. 14B and 14C is the embodiment of the device 13 comprising
the frame 60 having the outer ring 61and the cross members 62 shown
in FIGS. 7, 8, and 11. As shown in FIG. 14B, the bone support
device 13 can have the elongated configuration 71 while being
inserted through the delivery cannula 11, and may be extended
beyond the distal end 16 of the delivery cannula 11 into the
interior of the vertebral body 21. As the delivery cannula 11 is
retracted from its previous position shown in FIG. 14B, toward the
vertebral body wall 23, as shown in FIG. 14C, the bone support
device 13 may be fully extended beyond the delivery cannula 11 such
that the device 13 can be positioned into a fully deployed
configuration. The bone support device 13 may be fully deployed in
various manners, such as using a mechanical deployment mechanism,
for example, the deployment mechanism actuated by the handle 50
shown in FIG. 4, or by self-deploying mechanisms, for example, as
may be facilitated with the use of shape-memory material(s) in the
device 13. The bone support device 13 shown in FIGS. 14A-14C
delivered into the interior of the vertebral body 21 may be fully
deployed into a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 8.
[0103] An extra-pedicular insertion approach may be useful for
delivery of the bone support and/or barrier device 13 having
dimensions that require a relatively large percutaneous insertion
path into the vertebral body 21. For example, in some surgical
procedures in which only an expandable body such as a balloon is
inserted into the vertebral body 21, the delivery cannula 11 may be
relatively small and the percutaneous insertion path can likewise
be relatively small. A trans-pedicular insertion approach may
accommodate such a relatively small delivery cannula 11. For
procedures that include implanting an embodiment of the bone
support and/or barrier device 13, the delivery cannula 11 may need
to be larger than the delivery cannula 11 required for delivering
only an expandable body. In such procedures, a trans-pedicular
approach may not be desirable for inserting such a larger delivery
cannula 11. Accordingly, an extra-pedicular insertion approach may
better accommodate insertion of a relatively larger delivery
cannula 11 (and bone support and/or barrier device 13, for example)
into the interior of the vertebral body 21. In addition, an
extra-pedicular approach may allow insertion of the bone support
and/or barrier device 13 in a position closer to and/or more
closely aligned with, the endplate 22, for example, as shown in
FIG. 9.
[0104] As shown in FIGS. 11, 17, and 18, the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 can include one or more radiopaque markers 70
that can be visualized under fluoroscopy. Radiopaque is defined as
being opaque to radiation and especially x-rays. Fluoroscopy is
defined as examination by means of a fluoroscope. A fluoroscope is
a device equipped with a fluorescent screen on which the internal
structures of an optically opaque object, such as the human body,
may be viewed as shadowy images formed by the differential
transmission of x-rays through the object.
[0105] The radiopaque markers 70 can be arranged in a radiopaque
marking pattern that can be configured to allow for radioscopically
visualizing the positioning and orientation of the device 13 in the
interior body region during deployment. As a result, a
non-radiopaque contrast medium can be used, for example, to expand
the expandable body 17, thereby eliminating the risk of exposing a
patient to a radiopaque contrast agent.
[0106] In some embodiments, the radiographic marking pattern can
provide essentially an outline of the shape of the bone support
and/or barrier device 13 when expanded. Thus, in addition to
fluoroscopically monitoring the bone support and/or barrier device
13 as it is being deployed, when the device 13 is expanded to its
deployed configuration, the periphery of the device 13, and thereby
the outer contact points of the bone support and/or barrier device
13 onto tissue in the interior body region can be visualized
radioscopically.
[0107] In some embodiments of the present invention, in addition to
the bone support and/or barrier device 13, at least a portion of
the delivery cannula 11, elongate member 14, and/or expandable body
17 may comprise one or more radiographic material(s) and/or markers
70. In this manner, positioning of the components used to deliver
and deploy the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be
visualized radioscopically during use. As such, the user can
monitor positioning of the entire bone support device system 10 and
any differences in positioning of one component relative to the
other component.
[0108] Radiopaque markers 70 can be made from radiopaque materials.
Examples of radiopaque materials include stainless steel, platinum,
gold, calcium, tantalum, barium sulfate, tantalum, tungsten,
bismuth subcarbonate, and other metals.
[0109] FIGS. 15-17 illustrate another embodiment of a bone support
and/or barrier device 13. As shown in this embodiment, the device
13 can be configured to guide and or control the distribution of
bone filler material injected into the interior of a bone. In some
embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can comprise
an implantable sheet of barrier material 37 having six sides
comprising a top 81, a bottom 82, and four rounded faces 83, as
shown in FIGS. 15-17. The faces 83 can be generally perpendicular
to the top 81 and the bottom 82 of the sheet of material 37.
[0110] The six-sided sheet of barrier material 37 can have the
appearance of a rounded cube-like structure. The rounded nature of
the top 81, bottom 82, and faces 83 of the sheet of barrier
material 37 allows the sheet of barrier material 37 to more closely
fit the contours of a void created inside a bony structure, such as
a vertebral body 21. In its deployed configuration, the outer
surfaces 31 of the top 81 and bottom 82 of the sheet of barrier
material 37 may be positioned into contact with selected portions
of the interior of the bone, for example, the superior and inferior
endplates 22 in a vertebral body 21, and the outer surfaces 31 of
the faces 83 may contact the vertebral body walls 23. In other
embodiments, the sides of the sheet of barrier material 37 may be
positioned so as to be free of contact with the interior of the
bone into which it is delivered. With the sheet of barrier material
37 of the bone barrier device in a desired position, the
distribution of bone filler material injected into the interior of
the vertebral body 21 can be guided and/or controlled. In this
manner, the sheet of barrier material 37 can prohibit substantially
all flow of bone filler material from the inner surface 32 (inside)
of the material 37 of the deployed device 13 to the outer surface
31 of the material 37. In this manner, the device 13 can help
prevent leakage of bone filler material through a compromised bone
adjacent the barrier material 37.
[0111] In an embodiment, the sheet of barrier material 37 can
comprise an open weave pattern adapted to reduce, but not
necessarily stop, the flow of bone filler material from the inner
surface 32 to the outer surface 31 of the device 13. For example,
the sheet of barrier material 37 may comprise an open weave, mesh,
and/or through hole configuration that is sufficiently fine to
contain most of the flowable bone cement injected inside the
barrier material 37 to prevent leakage outside the vertebral body
21 and still allow enough bone cement to penetrate the barrier
material 37 so as to form a bond with the adjacent cortical bone
24.
[0112] In certain embodiments, the barrier material 37 can be a
contiguous sheet of material. The barrier material 37 can comprise
Teflon.RTM., Dacron.RTM., or similar biocompatible material. In
some embodiments, the top 81, bottom 82, and/or faces 83 of the
sheet of barrier material 37 of the bone barrier device 13 can
comprise a barrier material that can allow flow of fluids and
nutrients through the material.
[0113] In some embodiments, the sheet of barrier material 37 can
comprise one or more sides of the bone barrier device 13. As such,
the bone barrier device 13 can be utilized to selectively restrict
movement of a flowable material in various directions. By
restricting the area into which a flowable material can move while
being injected and cured, spread of the flowable material out of a
void or bony structure, such as through a structurally compromised
endplate 22 and/or vertebral body side wall 23, into undesired
areas can be minimized or prevented.
[0114] In various embodiments of a such a six-sided bone barrier
device 13, from one to five sides of the device 13 can be open
(without barrier material 37), all sides can be open, or no sides
can be open. An open side of the bone barrier device 13 can be
oriented toward a portion of a bony structure, such as a vertebral
body wall 23, so that when bone cement is injected into the void
inside the vertebral body 21, the bone cement can flow into contact
with the vertebral body wall 23 adjacent the open side. In this
manner, the bone cement can "interdigitate" with the cortical bone
24 in the exposed wall 23 of the vertebral body 21 to form a bond
with the bone 24, thereby providing a more stable support to the
vertebral body 21.
[0115] In embodiments in which one to five sides are open without
barrier material 37, the bone barrier device 13 can be oriented so
that open side(s) are facing compromised portion(s) of the
endplate(s) 22 and/or vertebral body wall(s) 23 so as to contain
flowable bone cement when it is injected into the void inside the
vertebral body 21. In embodiments in which no sides are open, bone
cement can be prevented from contacting any cortical bone 24
surface inside the vertebral body 21. Although in embodiments with
no open sides the bone cement cannot form a bond with cortical bone
24, the presence of the cured bone cement can provide structural
support to the vertebral body 21. Embodiments of a totally
closed-sided bone support device 13 may be desirable in a procedure
to repair a vertebral compression fracture in which the endplates
22 and a large portion of the vertebral wall 23 are compromised and
there is risk of bone cement leakage from multiple locations about
the vertebral body 21.
[0116] In certain embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier
device 13 comprising a sheet of barrier material 37 may have less
than six sides. For example, the bone support and/or barrier device
13 may have from one to five sides. In each of the embodiments of
the device 13 having from one to six sides, the sheet of barrier
material 37 can provide a mechanism by which the distribution of
bone filler injected into or adjacent the barrier material 37 can
be guided and/or controlled.
[0117] During a procedure to repair a vertebral compression
fracture, bone filler material, such as a bone cement, may be
inserted into the vertebral body 21 to provide structural support
to the vertebral body 21. In situations in which the fracture
compromises the integrity of the endplate 22 or the wall 23 of the
vertebral body 21, there may be a risk that the bone cement can
leak from the compromised bone. Bone cement leakage can produces
symptoms, including painful irritation of a nerve root emerging
from the spinal column, degeneration of the walls of major vessels,
and possibly degeneration of the compromised endplate(s) 22. Thus,
some embodiments of the bone support and/or barrier device 13 of
the present invention can provide the advantage of preventing
leakage of bone cement into undesired areas.
[0118] As shown in FIGS. 15-17, the top 81, bottom 82, and four
rounded faces 83 of the six-sided bone support and/or barrier
device 13 can be formed about an implantable frame 80. The frame 80
can be configured such that the faces 83 can be generally
perpendicular to the top 81 and the bottom 82 of the device 13. The
frame 80 can include a plurality of frame members 84. Each of the
members 84 can be connected at each end to two other of the frame
members 84 at joints 85 between the sides. In some embodiments, the
barrier material 37 can be a contiguous sheet of material connected
to the frame members 84. In other embodiments, a separate sheet of
the barrier material 37 can be attached to one or more sides of the
device 13.
[0119] In some embodiments, the bone support and/barrier device 13
can be positioned inside the bone into which it is delivered so
that when the frame 80 is in its fully deployed position, the sheet
of barrier material 37 can be free of contact with the bone. In
other embodiments, in the fully deployed configuration, the outer
surface 31 of at least one side of the frame 80 can contact the
first bone portion 35 inside a bony structure, and the outer
surface 31 of at least another side can contact the second portion
36 of the bone so as to provide support to the first bone portion.
For example, the outer surfaces 31 of the top 81 and bottom 82 of
the frame 80 can be positioned in contact with the superior and
inferior endplates 22 in a vertebral body 21, and the outer
surfaces 31 of the faces 83 can contact the vertebral body walls
23. As such, the axial load 34 placed on the endplate 22 can be
transferred from the endplate 22 through the frame 80 to the
vertebral body walls 23, thereby providing support to the endplate
22. In each of these embodiments, the sheet of barrier material 37
can provide a mechanism by which the distribution of bone filler
injected into or adjacent the barrier material 37 can be guided
and/or controlled.
[0120] In some embodiments, the frame members 84 on at least
opposing sides of the frame 80 can include pivot joints 86 near the
center of the frame members 84. The pivot joints 86 allow the frame
members 84 to pivot at the pivot joints 86 so as to allow the bone
support device frame 80 to be collapsed to an undeployed
configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, in an embodiment
in which the frame members 84 on opposite ends of the frame 80
include pivot joints 86, exerting a force on those frame members 84
can cause the top and bottom portions of those frame members 84 to
pivot about the pivot joints 86 and fold into a generally parallel
relationship with each other. As a result, the ends of the frame 80
having the pivot joints 86 can be collapsed so that the top 81 and
bottom 82 of the frame 80 are adjacent each other. The frame
members 84 on the ends of the top 81 and bottom 82 of the frame 80
(which include pivot joints 86) can be pivoted about those pivot
joints 86 such that opposite sides of those frame members 84 can be
folded together. Pivoting the ends of the top 81 and bottom 82 of
the frame 80 can cause the remaining non-adjacent sides to be
collapsed adjacent each other. As a result, the frame 80 can be
collapsed into an undeployed configuration for delivery into an
interior body region. In addition, the pivot joints 86 can provide
the sides of the frame 80 with a sufficient degree of flexibility
to allow the sides to conform to possibly uneven surfaces inside a
void in a vertebral body 21.
[0121] In embodiments of the six-sided bone support and/or barrier
device 13 comprising an implantable frame 80, one or more sides of
the frame 80 and sheet of barrier material 37 can be open. In
embodiments in which all sides are open, the bone barrier device 13
includes no barrier material 37, and bone cement can flow into
contact with all cortical bone 24 surfaces inside the vertebral
body 21. In embodiments of a totally open-sided frame 80, the frame
members 84 can provide support to the endplates 22 as well as to
the vertebral body walls 23.
[0122] Some embodiments of the bone support and/or barrier device
13 having from one to six sides can be inserted into an interior
body region such as a vertebral body 21 via a minimally invasive
technique. For example, the delivery cannula 11 having a hollow
lumen can be percutaneously inserted to the interior 33 of the
vertebral body 21. The bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be
releasably attached in an undeployed configuration to the distal
end 16 of the elongate member 14. The elongate member 14 and the
attached bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be inserted
through the lumen of the delivery cannula 11 into the vertebral
body 21. When the bone support and/or barrier device 13 is in a
desired position in the vertebral body 21, the device 13 can be
deployed into a deployed configuration into contact with the
endplate 22, vertebral body walls 23, and/or other bony structures
in the vertebral body 21. Then, the bone support and/or barrier
device 13 can be released from the elongate member 14, and the
elongate member 14 and delivery cannula 11 removed from the
vertebral body 21.
[0123] The bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be expanded to
a desired deployed configuration using various apparatus and
techniques. For example, some embodiments of the bone support
and/or barrier device 13 may be expanded into the deployed
configuration with the expandable body 17, such as an inflatable
balloon tamp. The expandable body 17 can be pre-positioned inside
the bone support and/or barrier device 13 and delivered to the
target bony structure at the same time the bone support device 13
is delivered. Alternatively, the bone support and/or barrier device
13 can be first delivered to the target bony structure, after which
the expandable body 17 can be delivered through the delivery
cannula 11 to inside the bone support and/or barrier device 13 in
the target bony structure. From inside the bone support and/or
barrier device 13, the expandable body 17 can be expanded to
thereby expand the bone support and/or barrier device 13 to its
deployed configuration.
[0124] In some embodiments, the expandable body 17 can be utilized
to position and/or orient the bone support and/or barrier device 13
in the bony structure. For example, the bone support and/or barrier
device 13 can be partially expanded with the expandable device 17
and oriented into a desired position such that a closed side of the
device 13 comprising barrier material 37 is facing the portion(s)
of the surrounding structures into which it is desired to prevent
flow of a flowable material. The expandable device 17 can then be
further expanded to fully deploy the bone support and/or barrier
device 13. With the bone support and/or barrier device 13 in place,
the expandable body 17 can be deflated and removed. In other
embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be
oriented to a desired position relative to areas within a bony
structure in which it has been delivered in other manners and using
other apparatus. Once the device 13 is fully deployed and
positioned, the device 13 can be released from the elongate member
14. The void can then be filled with a flowable bone filler
material through the delivery cannula 11.
[0125] In some embodiments, the collapsed, undeployed bone support
and/or barrier device 13 can be covered with a sheath (not shown)
during delivery through the delivery cannula 11 to the target site.
Such a sheath can help maintain the device 13 in its undeployed
configuration during delivery into the target bony structure. Once
the bone support and/or barrier device 13 is in position in the
bony structure, the sheath can be removed from around the bone
support and/or barrier device 13 and retracted through the delivery
cannula 11. When the sheath is removed from about the bone support
and/or barrier device 13 inside the target bony structure, the
device 13 can be expanded to its deployed configuration.
[0126] In certain embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier
device 13 can comprise a shape memory material, such as Nitinol.
The sheath can help maintain the device 13 comprising shape memory
material in its undeployed configuration during delivery into a
target bony structure. When the bone support and/or barrier device
13 comprising a shape memory material is delivered to the target
site inside a sheath and the sheath is removed from the bone
support and/or barrier device 13, the device 13 can expand to it
deployed configuration without further manipulation. That is, the
normal temperature of the patient's body can warm the shape memory
material sufficiently to cause the bone support and/or barrier
device 13 to expand to its deployed configuration.
[0127] The bone support and/or barrier device 13 comprising the
six-sided frame 80 can include radiopaque markers 70, as shown in
FIG. 17. The radiopaque markers 70 can be arranged in a radiopaque
marking pattern that can be configured to allow for radioscopically
visualizing the positioning and orientation of the device 13 in the
interior body region. For example, the radiopaque markers 70 can be
arranged to provide essentially an outline of one or more of the
sides of the bone support and/or barrier device 13 when expanded.
In this manner, the user can directly monitor positioning of those
sides of the bone support and/or barrier device 13 relative to
various portions of the bony structure while deploying the device
13.
[0128] In certain embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier
device 13 comprising the frame 80 having one to six sides can be
sized so as to span across substantially all of a vertebral body
endplate 22 when in its deployed configuration. Alternatively, the
bone support and/or barrier device 13 can be sized to span less
than substantially all of an endplate 22 when fully deployed. In
some embodiments, a plurality of the bone support and/or barrier
devices 13 can be used together to provide support to particular
portions of the endplate 22 or other bony structure(s).
[0129] FIGS. 18-20 illustrate another embodiment of the bone
support and/or barrier device 13 configured to guide and or control
the distribution of bone filler material injected into the interior
of a bone. In this embodiment, the bone support and/or barrier
device 13 can comprise a disc 90 of material that can be deployed
into the interior of a bone. "Disc" refers to the deployed
configuration of the device 13, which can be, for example, an oval
65, circular, semi-circular 68, dome 66, tubular, or U-shaped
configuration. The disc 90 can have an outer surface 31 and an
inner surface 32.
[0130] In some embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device
disc 90 can comprise a barrier material 37 adapted to restrict flow
of bone filler material from the inner surface 32 to the outer
surface 31 of the disc 90 without providing any additional
structural support to a bony structure. That is, the barrier
material 37 comprising the disc 90 can be a flexible, non-rigid
material. For example, the bone support and/or barrier device disc
90 comprising pliable, non-rigid material can be deployed adjacent
a compromised area within a vertebral body 21, such as a fractured
endplate 22, before filling a void in the vertebral body 21 with
bone cement. In this manner, the bone barrier device disc 90 can
help support the integrity of such a compromised bony structure by
helping prevent leakage of bone cement from the vertebral body
21.
[0131] In some embodiments, the bone barrier device 13 may be
deployed such that the disc 90 contacts no portion of bone. For
example, when the bone barrier device 13 is deployed inside the
vertebral body 21, the disc 90 may be positioned such that the disc
90 material is free from contact with the endplates 22 and/or the
vertebral body walls 23.
[0132] In other embodiments, the bone barrier device 13 may be
deployed such that the disc 90 can contact the first portion of
bone 35 and/or the second portion of bone 36. For example, the bone
barrier device 13 may be deployed into a position such that a
portion of the outer surface 31 of the disc 90 may contact the
vertebral body endplate 22 (that is, the first bone portion 35).
The perimeter 91 of the bone barrier device disc 90 can extend away
from the endplate 22. In an embodiment, the perimeter of the disc
90 can contact the cortical bone 24 of the vertebral body walls 23
(that is, the second bone portion 36), which may help maintain the
device 13 in a desired position.
[0133] In an alternative embodiment, the disc 90 can comprise a
sufficient rigidity such that the axial load 34 placed on the first
portion of the bone (endplate 22) can be transferred through the
bone support device disc 90 to the second portion of the bone
(vertebral body walls 23), thereby providing support to the first
bone portion (endplate 22).
[0134] Embodiments of the bone barrier device disc 90 can have
various deployed configurations. For example, the deployed disc 90
configuration can be oval 65, circular, semi-circular 68, dome 66,
tubular, or U-shaped configuration. In an embodiment in which the
bone support and/or barrier device disc 90 comprises a tubular
shape, the disc 90 can be oriented such that opposing sides of the
tubular disc 90 can contact the superior and inferior endplates 22
in the vertebral body 21. Such a bone support and/or barrier device
disc 90 having oppositely oriented sides may be desirable for use
in a vertebral body 21 in which both superior and inferior
endplates 22 are compromised.
[0135] Some embodiments of the bone support and/or barrier device
13 may be permanently implanted in the interior of a bone. In
embodiments in which the bone support and/or barrier device disc 90
can be left permanently in place, the device 13 can be made from
biocompatible materials such as stainless steel, a flexible metal
alloy such as Teflon.RTM., and/or shape memory materials such as
Nitinol. In other embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier
device disc 90 may be made from bioresorbable materials, such as
bioresorbable polymers, such that the device 13 can eventually
resorb into the surrounding tissue.
[0136] The disc 90 material can comprise a barrier material 37
adapted to prohibit substantially all flow of bone filler material
from the inner surface 32 of the disc 90 of the deployed device to
the outer surface 31 of the disc 90. In this manner, the device 13
can help guide and or control the distribution of bone filler
material as it is injected into a void in the bone and prevent
leakage of the bone filler material through a compromised bony
structure adjacent the disc 90. In an embodiment, the barrier
material 37 can comprise an open weave pattern adapted to reduce,
but not necessarily stop, the flow of bone filler material from the
inner surface 32 to the outer surface 31 of the device 13. For
example, the barrier material 37 may comprise an open weave, mesh,
and/or through hole configuration in which the open area is
sufficiently fine to contain most of the flowable bone cement
injected adjacent the inner surface 32 of the disc 90 to prevent
leakage outside the vertebral body 21 and still allow enough bone
cement to penetrate the barrier material 37 so as to form a bond
with the surface of the cortical bone 24 adjacent the outer surface
31 of the disc 90. In some embodiments, the barrier material 37 can
have a porosity sufficient to allow nutrients to diffuse through
the barrier material 37. The barrier material 37 can comprise
Teflon.RTM., Dacron.RTM., or similar biocompatible material.
[0137] Some embodiments of the bone support device and/or barrier
disc 90 can be inserted into an interior body region such as a
vertebral body 21 via a minimally invasive technique. For example,
the delivery cannula 11 having a hollow lumen can be percutaneously
inserted to the interior of a vertebral body 21. The bone support
and/or barrier device disc 90 can be releasably attached in an
undeployed configuration to the distal end 16 of the elongate
member 14. The elongate member 14 and the attached bone support
and/or barrier device disc 90 can be inserted through the lumen of
the delivery cannula 11 into the vertebral body 21. When the bone
support and/or barrier device disc 90 is in a desired position in
the vertebral body 21, the disc 90 can be deployed into a deployed
configuration, for example, into no contact with bone, or into
contact with the endplate 22, vertebral body walls 23, and/or other
bony structures in the vertebral body 21. Then, the bone support
and/or barrier device disc 90 can be released from the elongate
member 14, and the elongate member 14 and delivery cannula 11
removed from the vertebral body 21. With the bone support and/or
barrier device disc 90 in a desired position, for example, adjacent
the target endplate 22, a bone filler material can be injected into
the void in the vertebral body 21 adjacent the inner surface 32 of
the disc 90. The bone support and/or barrier device disc 90 can
thus provide a barrier to restrict flow of the bone filler material
through a compromised endplate 22 and into undesired areas.
[0138] An embodiment of the bone support and/or barrier device disc
90 can have an undeployed configuration that can be wrapped about
the elongate member 14, as shown in FIG. 18. Expansion of the
expandable body 17 inside the wrapped disc 90 can cause the disc 90
to unwrap to its deployed configuration, as shown in FIGS. 19 and
20.
[0139] In some embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device
disc 90 can be adapted so that the outer surface 31 of the disc 90
can be selectively oriented toward a desired portion of a bone. In
certain embodiments, the expandable body 17 can be used to orient
the disc 90 into various positions within the bone. For example,
the bone support and/or barrier device disc 90 can be partially
expanded with the expandable device 17 and rotated, or otherwise
oriented, such that the outer surface 31 of the disc 90 is adjacent
a compromised endplate 22 or vertebral body wall 23. The expandable
device 17 can then be further expanded to fully deploy the bone
support and/or barrier device disc 90. With the disc 90 in place,
the expandable body 17 can be deflated and removed. In other
embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier device disc 90 can be
oriented to a desired position relative to areas within a bony
structure in which it has been delivered in other manners and using
other apparatus. Once the disc 90 is fully deployed and positioned,
the disc 90 can be released from the elongate member 14. The void
can then be filled with a flowable bone filler material through the
delivery cannula 11. In this way, a user can selectively guide and
or control distribution of bone filler material within a bony
structure and/or helping prevent leakage of bone filler material
from a weakened or compromised area.
[0140] In certain embodiments, the bone barrier device disc 90 can
be sized so as to span across substantially all of a vertebral body
endplate 22 when in its deployed configuration. Alternatively, the
bone barrier device disc 90 can be sized to span less than
substantially all of the endplate 22 when fully deployed. In some
embodiments, a plurality of the bone barrier device discs 90 can be
used together to guide and or control distribution of bone filler
material within a bony structure.
[0141] During the process of expanding the expandable body 17
against a compromised bony structure, for example, in a vertebral
body compression fracture reduction procedure, the expandable body
17 may exert enough pressure on the bony structure, such as the
endplate 22, to initiate a fracture or to extend an existing
fracture. An embodiment of the bone support and/or barrier device
13 can be expanded with the expandable body 17 against a
compromised endplate 22. In this manner, the bone barrier device
disc 90 can provide a mechanism by which the distribution of bone
filler material injected into the bony structure can be guided
and/or controlled. As a result, leakage of the bone cement through
the compromised endplate 22 can avoided.
[0142] The present invention may provide a system useful for
supporting a bony structure in a human or animal. An embodiment of
such a system 10 can comprise the delivery cannula 11 having a
hollow lumen that can be percutaneously inserted into an interior
of a bone, and an elongate member 14 insertable through the lumen
of the delivery cannula 11. An implantable bone support and/or
barrier device 13 comprising an outer surface 31 and an inner
surface 32 can be releasably attached to the distal end 16 of the
elongate member 14 in an undeployed configuration. Some embodiments
of the system 10 can further comprise a deployment mechanism that
can be inserted through the lumen of the delivery cannula 11 and
actuated to deploy the bone support and/or barrier device 13 into a
deployed configuration in the interior of the bone. Some
embodiments of the system 10 can further comprise a release
mechanism adapted to release the bone support and/or barrier device
13 from the elongate member 14.
[0143] In such an embodiment of a system 10, in the deployed
configuration, at least a first portion of the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 can contact a first portion of the bone, such as
a vertebral body endplate 22. A second portion of the bone support
and/or barrier device 13 can contact a second portion of the bone,
such as vertebral body walls 23. In this manner, the axial load 34
placed on the first bone portion can be transferred through the
device 13 to the second bone portion, thereby supporting the first
bone portion.
[0144] In some embodiments of a bone support system 10, the
deployment mechanism can comprise the expandable body 17 adapted to
be disposed inside the bone support and/or barrier device 13 and to
expand the device 13 into the deployed configuration. In certain
embodiments, the deployment mechanism can include a sheath (not
shown) covering the device 13 in the undeployed configuration such
that the sheath can be removed to uncover the device 13 for
deployment into the deployed configuration.
[0145] In some embodiments of a system 10, the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 can have a barrier material 37 attached to the
device 13. The barrier material 37 can be adapted to prohibit
substantially all flow of bone filler material from the inner
surface 32 to the outer surface 31 of the device 13. In this
manner, the device 13 can help prevent leakage of bone filler
material through a compromised bony structure adjacent the barrier
material 37. Alternatively, the barrier material 37 can comprise an
open weave, mesh, and/or through hole pattern adapted to reduce,
but not necessarily stop, the flow of bone filler material from the
inner surface 32 to the outer surface 31 of the device 13. In some
embodiments, the barrier material 37 can have a porosity sufficient
to allow nutrients to diffuse through the barrier material 37.
[0146] Some embodiments of the bone support system 10 can include a
radiopaque marking pattern in communication with components of the
system 10. For example, a radiopaque marking pattern can be in
communication with the delivery cannula 11, the elongate member 14,
the bone support and/or barrier device 13, and/or other components
of the system 10. Components having a radiopaque marking pattern
can be monitored fluoroscopically during and after placement into
an interior body region so as to guide the component(s) into
desired position(s).
[0147] Some embodiments of the bone support system 10 can include a
plurality of the bone support and/or barrier devices 13. Each of
the devices 13 can be positioned in the deployed configuration to
support a separate portion of a bone.
[0148] The present invention can include embodiments of a kit
useful for supporting a bony structure in a human or animal. An
embodiment of such a kit can comprise the delivery cannula 11
having a hollow lumen that can be percutaneously inserted into an
interior of a bone, and an elongate member 14 insertable through
the lumen of the delivery cannula 11. The kit may further include
an implantable bone support and/or barrier device 13 comprising an
outer surface 31 and an inner surface 32 that can be releasably
attached to the distal end 16 of the elongate member 14 in an
undeployed configuration.
[0149] In such an embodiment of the system 10, in the deployed
configuration, at least a first portion of the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 can contact a first portion of the bone, such as
a vertebral body endplate 22. A second portion of the bone support
and/or barrier device 13 can contact a second portion of the bone,
such as vertebral body walls 23. In this manner, the load 34 placed
on the first bone portion can be transferred through the device 13
to the second bone portion, thereby supporting the first bone
portion.
[0150] Some embodiments of the kit can further comprise a
deployment mechanism that can be inserted through the lumen of the
delivery cannula 11 and actuated to deploy the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 into a deployed configuration in the interior of
the bone. In some embodiments, the deployment mechanism can
comprise the expandable body 17 adapted to be disposed inside the
bone support device 13 and to expand the device 13 into the
deployed configuration. In certain embodiments, the deployment
mechanism can include a sheath (not shown) covering the device 13
in the undeployed configuration such that the sheath can be removed
to uncover the device 13 for deployment into the deployed
configuration. Some embodiments of a kit can further comprise a
release mechanism adapted to release the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 from the elongate member 14.
[0151] In some embodiments of a kit, the bone support and/or
barrier device 13 can have a barrier material 37 attached to the
device 13. In other embodiments, the bone support and/or barrier
device 13 can comprise the barrier material 37 without any other
structural support elements. The barrier material 37 can be adapted
to prohibit substantially all flow of bone filler material from the
inner surface 32 to the outer surface 31 of the device 13. In this
manner, the device 13 can help prevent leakage of bone filler
material through a compromised bony structure adjacent the barrier
material 37. Alternatively, the barrier material 37 can comprise an
open weave, mesh, and/or through hole pattern adapted to reduce,
but not necessarily stop, the flow of bone filler material from the
inner surface 32 to the outer surface 31 of the device 13. In some
embodiments, the barrier material 37 can have a porosity sufficient
to allow nutrients to diffuse through the barrier material 37.
[0152] Some embodiments of a kit can include a radiopaque marking
pattern in communication with components of the kit. For example, a
radiopaque marking pattern can be in communication with the
delivery cannula 11, the elongate member 14, the bone support
and/or barrier device 13, and/or other components of the kit.
Components having a radiopaque marking pattern can be monitored
fluoroscopically during and after placement into an interior body
region so as to guide the component(s) into desired
position(s).
[0153] Some embodiments of a bone support kit can include a
plurality of the bone support and/or barrier devices 13. Each of
the devices 13 can be positioned in the deployed configuration to
support a separate portion of a bone.
[0154] In some embodiments, a kit can comprise various combinations
of these and/or other components. For example, the kit may further
include additional surgical instruments.
[0155] The present invention can include embodiments of methods for
supporting a bone or bony structure in a human or animal. One
embodiment of a such a method 100, as illustrated in FIG. 21, can
include percutaneously inserting (101) the delivery cannula 11
having a hollow lumen into the interior of a bone. An embodiment of
the method 100 can include providing (102) an implantable bone
support and/or barrier device 13 comprising an outer surface 31 and
an inner surface 32. The bone support device 13 can be releasably
attached to the distal end 16 of the elongate member 14 in an
undeployed configuration. The elongate member 14 and attached bone
support and/or barrier device 13 can be inserted (103) through the
lumen of the delivery cannula 11 into the interior of the bone.
[0156] Once inside the bone, the bone support and/or barrier device
13 can be positioned (104) in a desired location and/or orientation
in the bone. A deployment mechanism can be actuated (105) to deploy
the bone support and/or barrier device 13 into a deployed
configuration. In some embodiment, in the deployed configuration, a
first portion of the device can contact (106) at least a first
portion of the bone from the interior of the bone, and a second
portion of the device can contact (107) at least a second portion
of the bone. In this manner, the load 34 placed on the first
portion of the bone can be transferred (110) through the device 13
to the second portion of the bone, thereby providing support to the
first bone portion. The bone support and/or barrier device 13 can
be released (108) from the elongate member 14, and the elongate
member 14 can be removed (109) from the bone. In some embodiments,
a bone filler material can be inserted (111) adjacent the device 13
to provide support to the bone.
[0157] In other embodiments of the method 100, the bone support
and/or barrier device 13 may be percutaneously delivered to a
target surgical site using a variety of techniques. For example, a
small insertion cannula (not shown) having a sharp tip, for
example, a trocar cannula, can be used to penetrate tissue to the
surgical site. A guide wire (not shown) may be inserted through the
insertion cannula. The insertion cannula can be removed, leaving
the guide wire in place. The elongate member 14 and attached bone
support and/or barrier device 13 can then be guided over the guide
wire to the surgical site. When the bone support and/or barrier
device 13 is in a desired position, the guide wire can be removed
from the elongate member 14.
[0158] In some embodiments of the method 100, a plurality of the
bone support and/or barrier devices 13 can be provided. Each of the
plurality of the devices 13 can be deployed in a bone to support a
separate portion of the bone.
[0159] In some embodiments of the method 100, the deployment
mechanism can comprise the expandable body 17. The expandable body
17, for example, a balloon bone tamp, can be expanded to, for
example, move endplates 22 so as restore height to the vertebral
body 21. The deployment mechanism can be actuated so as to expand
the expandable body 17 inside the bone support and/or barrier
device 13 to expand the device 13 into its deployed configuration.
In some embodiments, the deployment mechanism can further include a
sheath covering the device 13 in the undeployed configuration. The
sheath can be removed to uncover the device 13 for deployment into
its deployed configuration.
[0160] In some embodiments of the method 100, the bone support
and/or barrier device 13 can include a barrier material 37 attached
to the device 13. The barrier material 37 can be adapted to
prohibit substantially all flow of bone filler material from the
inner surface 32 to the outer surface 31 of the device 13. When a
bone filler material is inserted adjacent the inner surface 32 of
the barrier material 37 of the bone support and/or barrier device
13, the bone filler material can be prevented from leaking outside
an adjacent bony structure.
[0161] In an embodiment of the method 100, the bone support device
13 can include a central rod 40 pivotably attached about a pivot 43
to the distal end 16 of the elongate member 14, as shown in FIGS.
4-6. A plurality of support members 41 can be pivotably attached to
the distal end 42 of the central rod 40 such that the support
members 41 can be extended outwardly from the central rod 40. In
such a method, actuating (105) the deployment mechanism can further
include actuating the first mechanism 51 to pivot the central rod
40 to an approximately 90 degree angle relative to a longitudinal
axis 52 of the elongate member 14. The second mechanism 53 can then
be actuated to extend the support members 41 outwardly from the
central rod 40 in a circular pattern. In this way, at least a
portion of the outer surface 31 of the outwardly extending support
members 41 can contact (106) a first portion of the bone from the
bone interior, and the distal ends 45 of the outwardly extending
support members 41 can contact (107) a second portion of the bone
so as to provide support to the first bone portion.
[0162] The devices, systems, kits, and methods embodying the
present invention can be adapted for use in many suitable interior
body regions in humans and animals, wherever it may be desirable to
provide support for a tissue. The illustrative embodiments are
described in association with devices, systems, kits, and methods
used to support bony structures. For example, the device can be
utilized to provide structural support in a vertebral body of a
spine or in a joint. In other embodiments, the present invention
may be used in other interior body regions or types of tissue.
[0163] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the
singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term
"a support member" is intended to mean a single support member or a
combination of support members. For the purposes of this
specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated,
all numbers expressing quantities, conditions, and so forth used in
the specification are to be understood as being modified in all
instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the
contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following
specification are approximations that can vary depending upon the
desired properties sought to be obtained by embodiments of the
present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to
limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope
of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be
construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and
by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
[0164] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters
setting forth the broad scope of embodiments of the invention are
approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific
examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical
value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily
resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective
testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to
be understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumed therein.
For example, a stated range of "1 to 10" should be considered to
include any and all sub-ranges between (and inclusive of) the
minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10. That is, a stated
range of "1 to 10" should be considered to include, for example,
all sub-ranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more, such as
1 to 6.5, and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, such as
5.5 to 10. Additionally, any reference referred to as being
"incorporated herein" is to be understood as being incorporated in
its entirety.
[0165] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it should be recognized that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the
present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that a bone support device, system, kit, and method
according to the present invention may be constructed and
implemented in other ways and embodiments. In addition, where
methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring
in a particular order, those of ordinary skill in the art having
the benefit of this disclosure would recognize that the ordering of
certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in
accordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally,
certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel
process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as
described above. Accordingly, the description herein should not be
read as limiting the present invention, as other embodiments also
fall within the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *