Kyphon Sarl

Simpirica Spine, Inc.

Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.

Empirical Spine, Inc.

Kphon Sarl

Medtronic Spine LLC

Hugues Malandain

Avram Allan Edidin

Darin Charles Gittings

David L Brumfield

Andrew C Kohm

Todd Alamin

Louis Calvin Fielding

Manish Kothari

Ian Bennett

Robert Alexander Vandervelde

Colin Cahill

Janna G Clark

Craig M Litherland

Jeffrey D Schwardt

Anand Parikh

Aaron D Markworth

Thomas A Slater

Eller Torres, Iv

Christopher U Phan

Brian W Donovan

Gregory B Arcenio

Erika I Palmer

Mike Smith

Derek Rothwell

Eric Wong

Craig Litherland

A method for coupling a prosthesis to a spinal segment in a patient includes the steps of selecting first and second reference points disposed along the spinal segment and pre-operatively measuring a target distance. The target distance extends between the first and second reference points while the patient is in a preferred posture such as the standing position. A prosthesis is coupled to the spinal segment and the prosthesis is then intra-operatively adjusted in order to set the distance between the first and second reference points based on the target distance.

Methods and apparatus for coupling a prosthesis to a spinal segment

A device may be used to limit flexion of the spine without substantially limiting extension of the spine. Various accessories, instruments, and methods may be used to help deploy the flexion limiting device, manipulate, and adjust it.

Device and accessories for limiting flexion

An apparatus includes a support member and a retention member. The support member has at least a portion configured to be disposed between a first spinous process and a second spinous process. The retention member is movably coupled to an end portion of the support member. The retention member is configured to displace a bodily tissue. The retention member is configured to move relative to the support member from a first position to a second position. The retention member is configured to limit movement of the support member along the longitudinal axis and relative to the first spinous process and the second spinous process when in the second position.

Percutaneous spinal implants and methods

A system for restricting flexion of a spinal segment in a patient comprises a constraint device having a tether structure and a compliance member coupled with the tether structure. The tether structure is adapted to be coupled with a superior spinous process and a sacrum. The system also includes an anchor member that is anchored to the sacrum. The anchor member has an attachment feature that is adapted to couple with the constraint device.

Sacral tether anchor and methods of use

A method includes moving a spinal implant such that a central portion of the spinal implant is disposed between adjacent spinous processes, radially extending a proximal portion of the spinal implant on a first side of the adjacent spinous processes such that movement of the proximal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited, and radially extending a distal portion of the spinal implant on a second side of the adjacent spinous processes opposite the first side such that movement of the distal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited.

Devices and methods for performing a procedure within a spine are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes expanding an expandable member to move a tissue portion and form a cavity within an interior of a bone-related structure. At least a portion of the cavity is filled with a filler material while simultaneously withdrawing a medium from the expandable member at a predefined ratio such that the tissue portion substantially maintains its moved position. In some embodiments, the predefined ratio is 1:1. In another embodiment, a method includes expanding an expandable member to move a tissue portion and form a cavity within an interior of an intervertebral disc. At least a portion of the cavity is filled with a filler material while substantially maintaining the moved position of the tissue portion.

Apparatus and method for medical procedures within a spine

A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain.

Methods and devices for controlled flexion restriction of spinal segments

Methods and systems for increasing the bending stiffness and constraining the spreading of a spinal segment

Devices and methods for performing a procedure within a spine are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a first implant to a pedicle of a first vertebra of a spinal column such that at least a portion of the first implant is disposed between a first spinous process and a second spinous process of the spinal column. A second implant is coupled to a pedicle of a second vertebra of the spinal column. At least a portion of an outer surface of the first implant is configured to contact at least a portion of an outer surface of the second implant when the spinal column is in extension. The outer surface of the first implant and the outer surface of the second implant being at a spaced distance from each other when the spinal column is in flexion.

Spinous-process implants and methods of using the same

A surgical fastening mechanism for releasably locking an implantable tether includes a housing having a central channel. The housing has an entry aperture, an exit aperture and a side channel extending therebetween. A roller element has a sidewall with an aperture therethrough and the roller is slidably disposed at least partially in the central channel such that the entry and exit apertures are at least partially aligned with the roller aperture. This permits passage of the tether therethrough. Rotation of the roller element in a first direction winds the tether around the roller thereby creating a friction interface between the roller element, the housing and the tether. A locking mechanism is operably connected with either the housing or the roller element and is adapted to prevent rotation of the roller in the central channel and also adapted to prevent release of the tether from the roller.

Methods and apparatus for locking a band

A surgical tool for deploying an implant includes an elongate outer shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a central channel therebetween. An elongate inner shaft is at least partially slidably received in the central channel and an actuator mechanism is operatively coupled with either the outer or inner shaft. The tool also includes a piercing element that is coupled with the outer shaft and releasably coupled with the implant.

Methods and apparatus for deploying spinous process constraints

A method includes inserting an implant having a support member and a retention member movably coupled to the support member such that at least a portion of the support member of the implant is disposed between a first spinous process and a second spinous process. The implant is rotated relative to the first spinous process and the second spinous process about an axis substantially normal to a mid-line axis of a spinal column while the portion of the support member is disposed between the first spinous process and the second spinous process. In some embodiments, the implant is rotated such that an inner surface of an end portion of the retention member is between an outer surface of the end portion of the retention member and the first spinous process. The retention member is translated relative to the support member.

Growing community of inventors

Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Hugues Malandain