Systems, methods and devices for correcting spinal deformities

Abstract

Provided herein are systems, devices and methods for the correction of spinal deformities with the use one or more implantable rods configured to apply a corrective force to the spine. Methods of minimally invasive implantation of a corrective system are provided, such as where the corrective system is attached only to the spinous process of one or more vertebral bodies. Various corrective systems as well as components thereof are also provided, such as those that allow limited movement with respect to the spinal column.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical system configured to treat scoliosis, comprising:
 a first strut-like member;   a second strut-like member coupled with the first strut-like member such that the first and second strut-like members can slide with respect to each other and pivot with respect to each other;   wherein the first and second strut-like members are each positionable adjacent a first and second vertebral body, respectively, and at least one of the first and second strut-like members is configured to apply a corrective force in the coronal plane to at least one of the vertebral bodies when implanted within a patient.   
     
     
         2 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second strut-like members comprise a material that exhibits a corrective return force upon bending. 
     
     
         3 . The medical system of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second strut-like members comprise nitinol. 
     
     
         4 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the first strut-like member has a longitudinal slot, the system further comprising a guide element configured to couple the second strut-like member to the first strut-like member through the longitudinal slot such that the guide element is slidable within the longitudinal slot and the first and second strut-like members can pivot with respect to each other about the guide element. 
     
     
         5 . The medical system of  claim 4 , further comprising a third strut-like member having a longitudinal slot and a fourth strut-like member, wherein the guide element is further configured to couple the third strut-like member to the fourth strut-like member through the longitudinal slot such that the guide element is slidable within the longitudinal slot of the third strut-like member and the third and fourth strut-like members can pivot with respect to each other around the guide element. 
     
     
         6 . The medical system of  claim 5 , further comprising a spacer positioned on the guide element such that the first and second strut-like members reside on one side of the spacer and the third and fourth strut-like members reside on the second side of the spacer. 
     
     
         7 . The medical system of  claim 6 , wherein the spacer has a width configured to match substantially the width of a spinous process. 
     
     
         8 . The medical system of  claim 6 , wherein the strut-like members are slidable along a longitudinal axis of the guide element, the system further comprising:
 a first bias element positioned between a first end of the guide element and the first and second strut-like members, the first bias element being configured to bias the first and second strut-like members away from the first end of the guide element; and   a second bias element positioned between a second end of the guide element and the third and fourth strut-like members, the second bias element being configured to bias the third and fourth strut-like members away from the second end of the guide element.   
     
     
         9 . The medical system of  claim 6 , wherein the guide element is configured to be mounted to a spinous process. 
     
     
         10 . The medical system of  claim 4 , wherein the strut-like members are slidable along a longitudinal axis of the guide element, the system further comprising:
 a bias element positioned between a first end of the guide element and the first and second strut-like members, the bias element being configured to bias the first and second strut-like members away from the first end of the guide element.   
     
     
         11 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second strut-like members are pivotally coupled together by way of at least one intervening strut-like member. 
     
     
         12 . The medical system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first engagement device configured to couple the first strut-like member to the first vertebral body; and   a second engagement device configured to couple the second strut-like member to the second vertebral body.   
     
     
         13 . The medical system of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second engagement devices are configured to couple with the spinous processes of the first and second vertebral bodies, respectively. 
     
     
         14 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second strut-like members are configured to be pivotable in the sagittal plane when implanted within a patient. 
     
     
         15 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured such that no corrective force is applied in the sagittal plane when implanted within the patient. 
     
     
         16 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second strut-like members are plates. 
     
     
         17 . A medical system for the treatment of scoliosis, comprising:
 a strut-like member having first and second end portions and a longitudinal slot in the first end portion, the strut-like member being configured to exert a corrective force;   a first engagement device configured to couple the first end portion of the strut-like member to a first vertebral body, the first engagement device having an elongate element slidable within the longitudinal slot such that the first end portion is retained with respect to the first vertebral body and slidable and pivotable with respect to the first vertebral body; and   a second engagement device configured to pivotally couple the second end portion of the strut-like member to a second, adjacent vertebral body.   
     
     
         18 . The medical system of  claim 17 , wherein the strut-like member has a predetermined curvature.