The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 15, 2012
Filed:
Sep. 20, 2008
Michael S. Butler, St. Charles, IL (US);
Brian D. Hartsell, Aurora, IL (US);
Michael S. Butler, St. Charles, IL (US);
Brian D. Hartsell, Aurora, IL (US);
Life Spine, Inc., Hoffman Estates, IL (US);
Abstract
A spinal spacer or stenotic device is expandable, inflated and/or filled in situ or ex vivo through the addition of a biocompatible fill material into the spinal implant once inserted or implanted in like manner to an angioplasty bag. Once implanted, expansion or inflation of the present expandable spinal spacer distracts the spine (creates spacing). The present expandable spinal spacer can operate as an interspinous, interspinous process, or intralaminar spinal spacer. In general the present expandable spinal space creates and/or maintains spacing between vertebrae or components of vertebrae. The present expandable spinal spacer is formed of a generally pliable biocompatible material that is collapsible and expandable/fillable. Preferably, but not necessarily, the biocompatible material is a mesh or weave type material, although other materials may be used.