Method of spinal fixation using adhesive media

Abstract

Disclosed are methods of spinal fixation involving application of a liquid medium which cures, hardens, polymerizes or otherwise serves to bind adjacent vertebrae together. The fixation which results from this binding may be temporary or essentially permanent in duration, and may be used to treat conditions or disease of the spine, such as inflammation, instability or fracture. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid medium comprises a low viscosity cyanoacrylate-based adhesive.

1 . A method of treating a spine, comprising: 
 accessing a joint capsule around a first facet on a superior articular process of a first vertebra and a second facet on a corresponding inferior articular process of a second vertebra;    introducing a medium into the joint capsule to secure the orientation between the first vertebra and second vertebra; and.    adjusting the position of the first vertebra and second vertebra.    
   
   
       2 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting occurs prior to introducing the medium.  
   
   
       3 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting occurs after introducing the medium.  
   
   
       4 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting occurs while introducing the medium.  
   
   
       5 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 1 , wherein introducing a medium occurs partially by capillary action into the joint capsule.  
   
   
       6 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 1 , wherein introducing a medium occurs partially by pressure into the joint capsule.  
   
   
       7 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 1 , wherein introducing a medium occurs partially by gravity into the joint capsule  
   
   
       8 . A method of treating a spine, comprising: 
 inserting a hollow introducer into a first joint capsule between two vertebra;    introducing a medium into the first joint capsule;    aligning the two vertebra; and    securing the orientation between the two vertebra.    
   
   
       9 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 8 , wherein the aligning occurs prior to introducing the medium.  
   
   
       10 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 8 , wherein the aligning occurs during the introduction of the medium.  
   
   
       11 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 8 , wherein the aligning occurs after introducing the medium.  
   
   
       12 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 8 , wherein securing the orientation between the two vertebra occurs less than about 20 minutes after introducing the medium.  
   
   
       13 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 12 , wherein securing the orientation between the two vertebra occurs less than about 10 minutes after introducing the medium.  
   
   
       14 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 13 , wherein securing the orientation between the two vertebra occurs less than about 5 minutes after introducing the medium.  
   
   
       15 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 12 , wherein securing the orientation between the two vertebra occurs between about 10 seconds to about 10 minutes.  
   
   
       16 . The method of treating the spine as in  claim 14 , wherein securing the orientation between the two vertebra occurs between about 30 seconds to about 3 minutes.  
   
   
       17 . A method of treating a spine, comprising percutaneously introducing a medium into a zygapophyseal joint capsule between two vertebra to immobilize the two vertebra.  
   
   
       18 . The method of treating a spine as in  claim 17 , wherein the medium is an adhesive.  
   
   
       19 . The method of treating a spine as in  claim 17 , wherein the medium comprises a radio-opaque component.  
   
   
       20 . The method of treating a spine as in  claim 18 , wherein the adhesive is a cyanoacrylate.