Expandable support device and method of use

Abstract

An expandable support device for tissue repair is disclosed. The device can be used to repair hard or soft tissue, such as bone or vertebral discs. A method of repairing tissue is also disclosed. The device and method can be used to treat compression fractures. The compression fractures can be in the spine. The device can be deployed by compressing the device longitudinally resulting in radial expansion.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An expandable implant device comprising:
 a body having a length along a first axis, a width along a second axis, and a height along a third axis, and a substantially hollow interior;   wherein the body includes a first plurality of panels connected by flexible joints between adjacent panels, and a second plurality of panels connected by flexible joints between adjacent panels, wherein the first and second plurality of panels connect to end panels of the body, the body assuming a first, radially unexpanded configuration having a first length along the first axis, the body assuming a second, radially expanded configuration having a second length along the first axis, the second length being shorter than the first length, such that when the body is in the second, radially expanded configuration, the body is compressed along the first axis and the first panels move away from each other along the second axis, and wherein when the body is in the first, radially unexpanded configuration a non-straight angle formed between adjacent panels of the first plurality of panels, and wherein at least one of the first plurality of panels has a port extending through the at least one panel; and   wherein the body has openings at the ends of the body along the first axis to engage a compression tool.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels define first struts defining opposite walls of the device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device has a first cross-section and a second cross-section substantially perpendicular to the first cross-section, and wherein the first cross-section is rectangular, and wherein the second cross-section is rectangular. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first end panel and a second end panel, wherein the first end panel and the second end panel have openings therethrough. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a substantially rigid first end panel and a substantially rigid second end panel opposite to the first end panel. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wall thickness of the device is from about 0.25 mm to about 5 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the third axis. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a first panel is attached to a second panel at a flexible joint. 
     
     
         10 . The expandable implant of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of panels comprises three panels connected by a pair of flexible joints. 
     
     
         11 . The expandable implant of  claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of panels comprises three panels connected by a pair of flexible joints. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising struts connecting said first plurality of panels to said second plurality of panels, wherein the struts are disposed within said substantially hollow interior. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a first panel in the first plurality of panels has a long edge and a short edge, and wherein the first panel is connected to a second panel in the first plurality of panels along the long edge. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first strut and a second strut, wherein the first strut is rotatably attached to the second strut, and wherein the first strut is attached to the first plurality of panels, and wherein the second strut is attached to the second plurality of panels. 
     
     
         15 . An expandable implant device comprising:
 a body having a length, width and height, and a substantially hollow interior;   a first plurality of interconnected panels, wherein at least two adjacent panels of the first plurality of interconnected panels form a non-straight angle with each other when the device is in a longitudinally expanded radially configuration, and wherein at least one of the first plurality of interconnected panels has a port extending through the at least one panel;   a second plurality of interconnected panels positioned opposite to the first panels;   a first body end connecting said first plurality of panels to said second plurality of panels at a first end of the device, and a second body end connecting said first plurality of panels to said second plurality of panels at a second end of the device;   said first body end having a first tool engagement port and the second body end having a second tool engagement port, wherein a longitudinal axis is defined between the first tool engagement port and the second tool engagement port, and wherein the first and second tool engagement ports can be configured to attach to a tool that can force the first tool engagement port toward the second tool engagement port;   wherein a transverse axis is defined between the first plurality of panels and the second plurality of panels, and wherein the transverse axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the body is configured to expand in height along the transverse axis when the tool forces the first tool engagement port toward the second tool engagement port. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein a first panel in the first plurality of interconnected panels has a long edge and a short edge, and wherein the first panel is connected to a second panel in the first plurality of interconnected panels along the long edge. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising a first strut and a second strut, wherein the first strut is rotatably attached to the second strut, and wherein the first strut is attached to the first plurality of interconnected panels, and wherein the second strut is attached to the second plurality of interconnected panels. 
     
     
         19 . An expandable implant device comprising:
 a body having a length, width and height, and a substantially hollow interior;   wherein the body has a first flat side comprising a first panel, and wherein the first panel has a port extending through the first panel;   wherein the body has a second flat side comprising a second panel positioned opposite to the first panel;   wherein the first panel is jointedly linked to the second panel; and   wherein a non-straight angle is formed between the first panel and the second panel when the device is in a longitudinally expanded configuration.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the first panel has a long edge and a short edge, and wherein the first panel is jointedly linked to the second panel along the long edge.