Expandable rod system to treat scoliosis and method of using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9398925-B2
Application number	US-201414321386-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 1, 2014
Priority date	Jul 2, 2004
Publication date	Jul 26, 2016
Grant date	Jul 26, 2016

Abstract

Correction of a scoliotic curve in a spine comprises the steps of implanting an expanding rod isolated completely under the skin and attached to selected portions of the scoliotic curve of the spine at opposing ends of the rod; and producing a controlled force by means of expansion of the rod over at an extended time period under external control until a desire spinal curve is obtained. An incremental force is generated to stretch the scoliotic curve of the spine between the selected portions where attachment of the rod is defined. The controlled force is provided steadily for at least one month or alternatively 1-3 months. Multiple rods may be employed each associated with a different scoliotic curve of the spine or a different portion of the scoliotic curve.

First claim

I claim:

1. A non-invasively expandable rod system for treating scoliosis comprising:
a first end configured to be coupled to a first location on a subject's spine;
a second end configured to be coupled to a second location on the subject's spine, wherein the second location and the first location are separated by a first length;
a hollow outer member having an axis, a first end, and a second end, wherein the hollow outer member comprises an opening disposed substantially at one or more of the first end and the second end;
an inner member configured to be slideably received by the opening of the hollow outer member and telescopically slideable within the hollow outer member and substantially along the axis;
a ratchet contained within the hollow outer member and configured for controlling movement between the inner member and the hollow outer member when the ratchet is in a first, engaged position, the ratchet being adjustable between the first, engaged position and a second, disengaged position, such that the non-invasively expandable rod system is prevented from shortening when the ratchet is in the first, engaged position and is allowed to shorten when the ratchet is in the second, disengaged position; and
a socket for removably receiving a tool into the non-invasively expandable rod system, the tool configured to adjust the ratchet between the first, engaged position and the second, disengaged position; wherein the expandable rod system is configured to maintain a subsequent second length between the first location on the subject's spine and the second location on the subject's spine, and wherein when in the first, engaged position, the ratchet contributes to maintaining a position of the inner member with respect to the outer member.

2. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 1 , further comprising a drive unit disposed in the hollow outer member and operatively coupled to the inner member, wherein actuation of the drive unit moves the inner member longitudinally relative to the hollow outer member.

3. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 2 , further comprising a screw operatively coupled to the drive unit.

4. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 3 , wherein the drive unit comprises a rotational motor.

5. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 3 , wherein the drive unit comprises a propelling element magnetically coupled to a moving magnetic field source.

6. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 2 , further comprising an external drive configured to non-invasively convey energy to the drive unit, wherein the conveyed energy actuates the drive unit.

7. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first end and second end is configured to be coupled to the subject's spine with a pedicle screw.

8. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one of the first end and second end is configured to have an articulation with respect to the pedicle screw.

9. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 1 , further comprising an anti-rotation member disposed on at least one of the hollow outer member and the inner member and configured to prevent relative rotation between the hollow outer member and the inner member.

10. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 1 , wherein the ratchet is a rotary ratchet.

11. A non-invasively expandable rod system for treating scoliosis comprising:
a first end configured to be coupled to a first location on a subject's spine:
a second end configured to be coupled to a second location on the subject's spine, wherein the second location and the first location are separated by a first length;
a hollow outer member having an axis, a first end, and a second end, wherein the hollow outer member comprises an opening disposed substantially at one or more of the first end and the second end;
an inner member configured to be slideably received by the opening of the hollow outer member and telescopically slideable within the hollow outer member and substantially along the axis; and
a ratchet contained within the hollow outer member and configured for controlling movement between the inner member and the hollow outer member when the ratchet is in a first, engaged position, the ratchet being adjustable between the first, engaged position and a second, disengaged position by the use of a separate tool which is insertable into the non-invasively expandable rod system, such that the non-invasively expandable rod system is prevented from shortening when the ratchet is in the first, engaged position and is allowed to shorten when the ratchet is in the second, disengaged position, wherein the expandable rod system is configured to maintain a subsequent second length between the first location on the subject's spine and the second location on the subject's spine, and wherein when in the first, engaged position, the ratchet contributes to maintaining a position of the inner member with respect to the outer member.

12. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 11 , further comprising a drive unit disposed in the hollow outer member and operatively coupled to the inner member, wherein actuation of the drive unit moves the inner member longitudinally relative to the hollow outer member.

13. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 12 , further comprising a screw operatively coupled to the drive unit.

14. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 13 , wherein the drive unit comprises a rotational motor.

15. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 13 , wherein the drive unit comprises a propelling element magnetically coupled to a moving magnetic field source.

16. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 12 , further comprising an external drive configured to non-invasively convey energy to the drive unit, wherein the conveyed energy actuates the drive unit.

17. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first end and second end is configured to be coupled to the subject's spine with a pedicle screw.

18. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one of the first end and second end is configured to have an articulation with respect to the pedicle screw.

19. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 11 , further comprising an anti-rotation member disposed on at least one of the hollow outer member and the inner member and configured to prevent relative rotation between the hollow outer member and the inner member.

20. The non-invasively expandable rod system of claim 11 , wherein the ratchet is a rotary ratchet.

Assignees

• Ellipse Tech Inc
• Nuvasive Specialized Orthopedics Inc

Inventors

• Kiester P Douglas

Classifications

• A61B17/7016 Primary

  electric or electromagnetic means · CPC title

• A61B17/7023

  with a pivot joint · CPC title

• A61B17/7004

  with a cross-section which varies along its length (A61B17/7019 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B17/70

  Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant · CPC title

• A61B2017/681

  Alignment, compression, or distraction mechanisms · CPC title