Percutaneous spinal implants and methods

Abstract

Medical devices and related methods for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes disposing at least a portion of a support member into a space between adjacent spinous processes. The support member defines a lumen between a proximal end and a distal end of the support member. An expandable member is inserted through the lumen of the support member such that a distal end portion of the expandable member is disposed outside a distal end of the lumen and a proximal end portion of the expandable member is disposed outside a proximal end of the lumen. The distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the expandable member are then expanded such that each of the distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the expandable member has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the support member.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a support member configured to be disposed in a space between adjacent spinous processes, the support member defining a lumen therethrough; and   an expandable member configured to be disposed at least partially within the lumen of the support member, the expandable member being movable between a collapsed configuration and an expandable configuration while disposed within the lumen of the support member.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein when in the expanded configuration a distal end portion of the expandable member is disposed outside a distal end of the lumen of the support member and a proximal end portion of the expandable member is disposed outside a proximal end of the lumen of the support member. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein when in the expanded configuration, the distal end portion of the expandable member and the proximal end portion of the expandable member each have an outer perimeter greater than an outer perimeter of the support member. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the support member includes a first portion coupled to a second portion, the first portion and the second portion configured to move relative to each other when the expandable member is moved between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration while disposed within the lumen of the support member. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the support member includes a first portion coupled to a second portion, the first portion and the second portion configured to move relative to each other when the expandable member is moved between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration while disposed within the lumen of the support member and when the support member is disposed in the space between adjacent spinous processes such that the support member distracts the adjacent spinous processes. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the support member includes a first portion hingedly coupled to a second portion, the first portion and the second portion configured to move relative to each other when the expandable member is moved between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration while disposed within the lumen of the support member. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein when in the expanded configuration, the distal end portion of the of the expandable member and the proximal end portion of the expandable member are collectively configured to limit lateral movement of the support member. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the support member has a cross-sectional diameter that remains substantially constant prior to expanding of the expandable member and after the expanding the expandable member. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein a first portion of the support member and a second portion of the support member are moveable between the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration by rotating the first portion of the support member relative to the second portion of the support member about a hinge that interconnects the first and second portions of the support member. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the support member has a first portion movably coupled to a second portion.) 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a support member defining a lumen extending from an proximal exterior endface of the support member to a distal exterior endface of the support member, the support member having a noncontiguous outer surface and includes a first portion having a first end and a second end and a second portion being separate from the first portion, the second portion having a first end and a second end, a hinge pivotally coupling the first end of the first portion to the first end of the second portion, a gap formed between the second end of the first portion and the second end of the second portion; and   an expandable member including a central portion between the distal end portion of the expandable member and the proximal end portion of the expandable member.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other when the expandable member is moved between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration while disposed within the lumen of the support member and when the support member is disposed in the space between adjacent spinous processes such that the support member distracts the adjacent spinous processes. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the first portion is hingedly coupled to a second portion, the first portion and the second portion configured to move relative to each other when the expandable member is moved between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration while disposed within the lumen of the support member. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein when in the expanded configuration, the distal end portion of the of the expandable member and the proximal end portion of the expandable member are collectively configured to limit lateral movement of the support member. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the support member has a cross-sectional diameter that remains substantially constant prior to expanding of the expandable member and after the expanding the expandable member. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the first portion of the support member and the second portion of the support member are moveable between the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration by rotating the first portion of the support member relative to the second portion of the support member about a hinge that interconnects the first and second portions of the support member. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the support member has a first portion movably coupled to a second portion. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the support member includes a first portion, a second portion and a central portion configured to define a tube having a constant inner diameter. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the wherein the support member includes a first portion, a second portion and a central portion configured in coaxial relation. 
     
     
         34 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a support member defining a lumen extending from an proximal exterior endface of the support member to a distal exterior endface of the support member, the support member having a noncontiguous outer surface and includes a first portion having a first end and a second end and a second portion being separate from the first portion and a central portion, the second portion having a first end and a second end, a hinge pivotally coupling the first end of the first portion to the first end of the second portion, a gap formed between the second end of the first portion and the second end of the second portion, wherein the first portion, the second portion and the central portion are in coaxially aligned; and   an expandable member including a central portion between the distal end portion of the expandable member and the proximal end portion of the expandable member.