Balloon With Shape Control For Spinal Procedures

Abstract

In intervertebral operative spinal procedures, using separate or pre-attached spreader blocks to control the directional growth of a distracting balloon.

1 . A distractor comprising:
 a) a spreader block having a height defined by first and second surfaces, a width defined by third and fourth surfaces, and a slot extending between the first and second surfaces,   b) a first arm having a proximal portion hinged at the proximal end portion of the spreader block on the third surface thereof and a distal portion,   c) an uninflated balloon extending from the slot and attached to the distal portion of the first arm.   
   
   
       2 . The distractor of  claim 1  further comprising:
 d) a second arm having a proximal portion hinged at the proximal end portion of the spreader block on the fourth surface thereof and a distal portion.   
   
   
       3 . The distractor of  claim 2  wherein uninflated balloon is attached to the distal portion of the second arm. 
   
   
       4 . The distractor of  claim 1  wherein the balloon forms a shape when inflated that runs substantially transverse to the spreader block. 
   
   
       5 . The distractor of  claim 4  wherein the shape is a banana shape. 
   
   
       6 . A distractor comprising:
 a) a spreader block having a height defined by first and second surfaces, a width defined by third and fourth surfaces, and a slot extending between the first and second surfaces, and   b) an uninflated balloon having a proximal portion within the slot and a distal portion extending outside the slot.   
   
   
       7 . The distractor of  claim 6  wherein the balloon forms a shape when inflated that runs substantially transverse to the spreader block. 
   
   
       8 . The distractor of  claim 7  wherein the shape is a banana shape. 
   
   
       9 . A distractor comprising:
 i) a proximal cannulated handle having a throughbore, and   ii) a distal portion attached to the handle comprising:
 a rotatable spreader block having a height defined by first and second surfaces and a width defined by third and fourth surfaces, and 
 an uninflated balloon having an open end attached to the throughbore. 
   
   
   
       10 . The distractor of  claim 9  wherien one of the first and second surfaces of the spreader block is recessed to form a pocket in which the uninflated balloon resides. 
   
   
       11 . A method of treating a disc, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing an insertion instrument comprising a proximal handle and a distal rotatable spreader block having a height defined by first and second surfaces and a width defined by third and fourth surfaces,   b) inserting the spreader block into the disc space so that the first and second surfaces thereof contact the opposed vertebral body endplates,   c) rotating the spreader block in the disc space so that the third and fourth surfaces thereof contact the opposed vertebral body endplates,   d) inserting an uninflated balloon into the disc space adjacent the spreader block,   e) inflating the balloon so that the balloon contacts one of the first and second surfaces of the spreader block.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the distal spreader block has a curved distal end portion. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the distal spreader block has a slot extending between the first and second surfaces thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the uninflated balloon resides within the slot. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:
 f) providing a second insertion instrument comprising a proximal handle and a distal rotatable spreader block having a height defined by first and second surfaces and a width defined by third and fourth surfaces,   g) inserting the spreader block of the second insertion instrument into the disc space so that the first and second surfaces thereof contact the opposed vertebral body endplates.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 h) rotating the spreader block of the second insertion instrument in the disc space so that the third and fourth surfaces thereof contact the opposed vertebral body endplates.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of:
 i) inflating the balloon so that the balloon contacts each spreader block.   
   
   
       18 . A method of treating a disc, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a pair of co-axial outer and inner cannulae, wherein the inner cannula has a distal portion comprising a delivery hole and comprises a shape memory material,   b) inserting the co-axial outer and inner cannulae into the disc space,   c) moving the outer cannula relative to the inner cannula to expose the inner cannula, thereby causing the distal portion of the inner shape memory cannula to revert to a memorized annular shape having an inner surface including the delivery hole,   d) delivering an uninflated balloon to the disc space through the delivery hole of the inner cannula,   e) inflating the balloon to substantially contact the inner surface of the memorized annular shape, and   f) retracting the inner cannula.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of moving the outer cannula relative to the inner cannula to expose the inner cannula comprises retracting the outer cannula. 
   
   
       20 . A intervertebral distractor instrument comprising a proximal handle and a distal spreader block having a curved distal end portion.