Apparatus and methods for vertebral augmentation using linked expandable bodies

Abstract

Implants and methods for osteopathic augmentation and repositioning of vertebrae may comprise a chain having one or more beads or bodies configured for insertion into a vertebral body. The one or more bodies may be expandable. As the chain is inserted into the vertebral body, it may fill a central portion thereof and can push against the inner sides of the endplates of the vertebral body, thereby providing structural support and tending to restore the vertebral body to its original height. The one or more bodies may have a first configuration dimensioned to pass through a catheter or other introducer, and may expand to a second, larger configuration after insertion into the bone in order to secure the chain within the bone.

1 . An apparatus for osteopathic augmentation comprising: 
 an anchoring element for securing to a vertebra;    a tensioning member for applying a tension to the anchoring element to move the vertebra into a desired position; and    a longitudinal fixation member for securing the tensioning member to fix the vertebra in the desired position, the longitudinal fixation member comprising one or more slots,    wherein each of the one or more slots have a first dimension configured to allow the tensioning member to be inserted through the one or more slots and a second dimension configured to releasably secure the tensioning member.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning member comprises a chain of a plurality of linked bodies.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of linked bodies comprises any of a biocompatible material, metal, ceramic, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the anchoring element is configured for implantation into a bone.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring element comprises a bone screw.  
     
     
         6 . A method of repositioning a spine comprising the steps of: 
 inserting one or more anchor elements into one or more vertebrae;    attaching a tensioning member to each anchoring element using attachment means;    applying a tensioning force to the tensioning members to reposition the vertebrae and restore a desired curvature to the spine;    applying one or more longitudinal fixation members along a long axis of the spine, wherein the tensioning members pass through an opening in the longitudinal fixation member; and    securing the tensioning members to the longitudinal fixation members to maintain the desired spinal curvature.    
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the step of securing the tensioning member comprises moving the tensioning member laterally with respect to the longitudinal fixation members to engage the tensioning member with a notch in the longitudinal fixation member.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , further comprising the step of injecting filler material into the one or more vertebrae after inserting the anchoring elements into the one or more vertebrae.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for osteopathic augmentation comprising: 
 a chain of expandable bodies linked by one or more linking members, the chain of expandable bodies configured for implantation into a bone,    wherein one or more of the expandable bodies in the chain changes from a first configuration before the implantation to a second configuration after the implantation.    
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the one or more expandable bodies comprises any of a shape memory alloy, stainless steel, a metal alloy, a polymer, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the one or more expandable bodies comprises nickel titanium.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the one or more expandable bodies is adapted to expand from the first configuration to the second configuration by applying a change in temperature to the one or more expandable bodies.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the one or more expandable bodies is adapted to expand from the first configuration to the second configuration by applying an energy source to the one or more expandable bodies.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the one or more bodies comprise a cavity adapted to contain a filler material.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the filler material is any of a cement, an adhesive, a glue or a polymer.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for repositioning bone, comprising: 
 an anchoring element for securing to a vertebra, the anchoring element comprising an expandable body adapted to expand from a first configuration before implantation within the vertebra to a second configuration after implantation within the vertebra;    a tensioning member for applying a tension to the anchoring element to move the vertebra into a desired position; and    a longitudinal fixation member for securing the tensioning member to fix the vertebra in the desired position, the longitudinal fixation member comprising one or more slots, each of the one or more slots having a first dimension configured to pass the tensioning member and a second dimension configured to releasably secure the tensioning member.    
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the anchoring element comprises the chain of linked bodies, and the chain of linked bodies comprises a plurality the expandable bodies.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for osteopathic augmentation comprising: 
 a chain comprising a plurality of linked bodies, the plurality of linked bodies being connected by segmented linking members,    wherein each of the plurality of linked bodies may comprise a shell formed from a resorbable membrane and the inside may comprise at least one of bone cement, osteoinductive, and osteoconductive material.    
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of linked bodies may be coated with at least one of an adhesive, antibiotics, osteoinductive material, and osteoconductive material.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein a portion of the chain is inserted into a vertebrae pushing endplates of the vertebrae apart.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein bone cement is also inserted into the vertebrae to aid in augmenting the vertebrae.