Devices and Methods for the Treatment of Spinal Disorders

Abstract

Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. Dynamic bias devices and reinforcement devices are disclosed, which may be used individually or in combination, to eliminate nerve impingement associated with the damaged disc, and/or to reinforce the damaged disc, while permitting relative movement of the vertebrae adjacent the damaged disc.

1 . A surgical implant for treating spinal disorders, said implant comprising:
 a first attachment member adapted to be attached to a posterior vertebral protrusion of a superior vertebrae;   a second attachment member adapted to be attached to a posterior vertebral protrusion of an inferior vertebrae; and   a dynamic bias device attached to the first and second attachment members, wherein said first and second attachment members are positioned, and the dynamic bias device is adapted, so that the surgical implant applies a distracting force between the superior and inferior vertebrae sufficient for selectively maintaining the first and second vertebrae at a predetermined distance.   
   
   
       2 . The surgical implant of  claim 1  wherein the dynamic bias device is further adapted to be compressed in response to a second force that exceeds the distracting force. 
   
   
       3 . The surgical implant of  claim 1  wherein the dynamic bias device includes an elastomeric material residing between the coupling of said first and second attachment members. 
   
   
       4 . The surgical implant of  claim 1  wherein the dynamic bias device includes a flexible housing. 
   
   
       5 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein said posterior vertebral protrusion is one of the group consisting of pedicles, articular processes, spinous processes, and tranverse processes. 
   
   
       6 . A system for treating spinal disorders, said system comprising at least two surgical implants, further comprising:
 a first surgical implant including first and second attachment members and a dynamic bias device applying a bias force connected therebetween;   a second surgical implant including first and second attachment members and a dynamic bias device applying a bias force connected therebetween;   the first attachment members being adapted to connect to respective posterior vertebral protrusions of a superior vertebrae; and   the second attachment members being adapted to connect to respective posterior vertebral protrusions of an inferior vertebrae.   
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said bias force is an attraction bias. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said bias force is a repulsion bias. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said first attachment member is adapted to connect to a superior spinous process. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said second attachment member is adapted to connect to an inferior spinous process. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said first attachment member is adapted to connect to a superior transverse process. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said second attachment member is adapted to connect to an inferior transverse process. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the first attachment members connect to the same posterior vertebral protrusions of a superior vertebrae. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the second attachment members connect to different posterior vertebral protrusions of an inferior vertebrae. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said posterior vertebral protrusion is selected from the group consisting of pedicles, articular processes, spinous processes, and tranverse processes. 
   
   
       16 . A surgical implant for treating spinal disorders, said implant comprising:
 means for providing one or more dynamic bias devices; and   means for adapting a first dynamic bias device for a first attachment to a first posterior vertebral protrusion, and a second attachment to a second posterior vertebral protrusion,   wherein the one or more dynamic bias devices include an elastomeric material residing between the coupling of said first and second attachment members.   
   
   
       17 . The surgical implant of  claim 16  further comprising means for removing at least a portion of spinal tissue. 
   
   
       18 . The surgical implant of  claim 16 , wherein said posterior vertebral protrusions are selected from the group consisting of pedicles, articular processes, spinous processes, and tranverse processes. 
   
   
       19 . The surgical implant of  claim 16  further comprising means for adapting a second dynamic bias device of the one or more dynamic bias devices for a first attachment to a first posterior vertebral protrusion, and a second attachment to a second posterior vertebral protrusion. 
   
   
       20 . A method for treating spinal disorders, said method comprising:
 providing one or more dynamic bias devices; and   adapting a first one of the one or more dynamic bias devices for a first attachment to a first posterior vertebral protrusion of a first vertebrae, and a second attachment to a second posterior vertebral protrusion of a second vertebrae.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising adapting a second one of the one or more dynamic bias devices for a first attachment to a first posterior vertebral protrusion, and a second attachment to a second posterior vertebral protrusion. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said posterior vertebral protrusion is one or more of the group consisting of pedicles, articular processes, spinous processes, and tranverse processes. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said one or more dynamic bias devices is adjusted by selecting the spring constant (K) and/or damper constant (P) of the bias member that results in a normal disc height. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising selecting a distracting force between the first and second vertebrae sufficient for maintaining the first and second vertebrae at a predetermined distance. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said one or more dynamic bias devices is compressed in response to a second force that exceeds said distracting force. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said one or more dynamic bias devices include an elastomeric material residing between the coupling of said first and second attachment members. 
   
   
       27 . A surgical implant for treating spinal disorders, said implant comprising:
 a first attachment member adapted to be attached to a posterior vertebral protrusion of a superior vertebrae;   a second attachment member adapted to be attached to a posterior vertebral protrusion of an inferior vertebrae; and   a dynamic bias device attached to the first and second attachment members,   wherein said device is adapted to allow motion between the first and second attachment members.