Method and apparatus for distracting a joint, including the provision and use of a novel joint-spacing balloon catheter and a novel inflatable perineal post

Abstract

A method for creating space in a joint, the method comprising: applying force to a body part so as to distract the joint and create an intrajoint space; inserting an expandable member into the intrajoint space while the expandable member is in a contracted condition; expanding the expandable member within the intrajoint space; and reducing the force applied to the body part so that the joint is supported on the expandable member.

1 . A method for creating space in a joint, the method comprising:
 applying force to a body part so as to distract the joint and create an intrajoint space;   inserting an expandable member into the intrajoint space while the expandable member is in a contracted condition;   expanding the expandable member within the intrajoint space; and   reducing the force applied to the body part so that the joint is supported on the expandable member.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the expandable member is expanded so as to substantially bridge the intrajoint space. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the expandable member is expanded so as to partially bridge the intrajoint space. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein reducing the force applied to the body part comprises completely eliminating the force applied to the body part. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein reducing the force applied to the body part comprises reducing, but not completely eliminating, the force applied to the body part. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  including the further step of performing a surgical procedure on the joint after the force applied to the body part has been reduced. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  including the further step of moving the body part after the force applied to the body part has been reduced, so that the joint articulates on the expandable member. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the geometry of the intrajoint space is modified when the joint articulates on the expandable member. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7  including the additional step of performing a surgical procedure on the joint after the joint articulates on the expandable member. 
     
     
         10 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the expandable member is an inflatable member. 
     
     
         17 .- 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the expandable member comprises a protective shield. 
     
     
         38 .- 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the expandable member is semi-compliant. 
     
     
         45 .- 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the expandable member is disposed at the distal end of a shaft. 
     
     
         48 .- 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A method according to  claim 47  wherein a first portion of the shaft is flexible and a second portion of the shaft is rigid. 
     
     
         51 .- 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A method according to  claim 47  wherein the shaft comprises a stiffener. 
     
     
         54 .- 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . A method according to claim  55  wherein the distal end of the shaft is steerable. 
     
     
         57 .- 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein a plurality of expandable members are inserted into the intrajoint space. 
     
     
         67 . A method according to  claim 66  wherein the plurality of expandable members are expanded so as to specifically configure the geometry of the intra-joint space. 
     
     
         68 . A method according to  claim 66  wherein at least two of the plurality of expandable members are expanded to different pressures. 
     
     
         69 . A method according to  claim 66  wherein at least two of the plurality of expandable members comprise different construction attributes. 
     
     
         70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . A method according to  claim 66  wherein the plurality of expandable members are disposed at the distal end of a shaft. 
     
     
         72 . A method according to  claim 71  wherein the plurality of expandable members are disposed serial to one another. 
     
     
         73 . (canceled) 
     
     
         74 . A method according to  claim 71  wherein the plurality of expandable members are disposed in an arcuate configuration. 
     
     
         75 .- 79 . (canceled) 
     
     
         80 . A method for creating space in a joint, the method comprising:
 inserting a first expandable member into the interior of the joint while the expandable member is in a contracted condition;   expanding the first expandable member within the joint so as to create a first intrajoint space;   inserting a second expandable member into the first intrajoint space while the second expandable member is in a contracted condition; and   expanding the second expandable member within the first intrajoint space so as to create a second intrajoint space.   
     
     
         81 . A joint-spacing balloon catheter comprising:
 a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;   an expandable member attached to the distal end of the shaft, the expandable member being capable of supporting opposing bones of a previously-distracted joint when the distraction force is reduced; and   a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft.   
     
     
         82 .- 142 . (canceled)