System and method for cooling a spinal correction device comprising a shape memory material for corrective spinal surgery

Abstract

A device and method of correcting a spinal defect in a patient employs the use of shape memory material in a spinal correction device. The shape memory material may be transitioned between a flexible martensitic state to allow shaping of the spinal correction device and a rigid austenitic state to apply corrective forces to the spine. The shape memory material may be transitioned to the flexible martensitic by applying a coolant, such as cold gas, directly or indirectly to the shape memory material to transfer heat away from the material. The cooling device and method may allow for in-vivo shaping of the spinal correction device while inserted in the body and attached to bone anchors by cooling the spinal correction device after insertion.

1 . A method of cooling a spinal correction device comprising a shape memory material, comprising the steps of:
 providing a spinal correction device comprised at least partially of a shape memory material; and   using a cold gas to removing heat from the spinal correction device to transition at least a portion of the shape memory material from an austenitic state to a martensitic state.