Method and apparatus for distracting a joint

Abstract

A method for creating space in a joint formed at the convergence of two bones, the method comprising: applying force to a body part so as to separate the two bones from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the joint is in a healthy state, whereby to distract the joint and create an intrajoint space; inserting an assembly of three balloons into the intrajoint space while the assembly of three balloons is in a contracted condition; expanding the assembly of three balloons within the intrajoint space; and reducing the force applied to the body part so that the joint is supported on the assembly of three balloons, with the two bones remaining separated from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the joint is in a healthy state.

1 . A method for creating space in a joint formed at the convergence of two bones in a hip joint, the method comprising:
 applying force to a body part so as to separate the two bones from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the hip joint is in a healthy state, whereby to distract the hip joint and create an intrajoint space;   inserting at least one balloon into the intrajoint space while the at least one balloon is in a contracted condition, wherein at least part of the at least one balloon is inserted into the acetabular fossa;   expanding the at least one balloon within the intrajoint space; and   reducing the force applied to the body part so that the hip joint is supported on the at least one balloon, with the two bones remaining separated from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the hip joint is in a healthy state.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the two bones move substantially toward one another when the force applied to the body part is reduced. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the two bones do not move substantially toward one another when the force applied to the body part is reduced. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  including the further step of performing a surgical procedure on the hip joint after the force applied to the body part has been reduced. 
     
     
         5 . 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 hip joint articulates on the at least one balloon. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  including the additional step of performing a surgical procedure on the hip joint after the joint articulates on the at least one balloon. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one balloon is disposed on a shaft. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the shaft is flexible. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the shaft bends when the force applied to the body part is reduced. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the shaft is bent before the force applied to the body part is reduced. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the shaft is bent by steering a distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the leg is abducted prior to reducing the force applied to the body part. 
     
     
         14 . A joint-spacing balloon catheter comprising:
 a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;   at least one balloon mounted to the distal end of the shaft; and   a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft.   
     
     
         15 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A joint-spacing balloon catheter according to  claim 14  wherein at least a portion of the shaft is flexible. 
     
     
         26 . A method for creating space in a joint formed at the convergence of two bones in a hip joint, the method comprising:
 providing a balloon catheter comprising a flexible shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion and at least two balloons mounted to the distal portion of the shaft;   applying an external force to a body part so as to separate the two bones from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the hip joint is in a healthy state, whereby to distract the hip joint and create an intrajoint space;   inserting the balloon catheter into the intrajoint space while the at least two balloons are in a contracted condition;   expanding the at least two balloons within the intrajoint space; and   reducing the external force applied to the body part so that the hip joint is supported on the at least two balloons, with the two bones remaining separated from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the hip joint is in a healthy state, wherein the flexible shaft bends into a U-shaped configuration when the external force maintaining the distraction is released.   
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein at least one of the at least two balloons is inserted into the acetabular fossa. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein the at least two balloons are disposed close to the rim of the acetabular cup and a portion of the flexible shaft engages the ligamentum teres when the external force is reduced. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein the two bones move substantially toward one another when the force applied to the body part is reduced. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein the two bones do not move substantially toward one another when the force applied to the body part is reduced. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 26  including the further step of performing a surgical procedure on the hip joint after the force applied to the body part has been reduced. 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 26  including the further step of moving the body part after the force applied to the body part has been reduced, so that the hip joint articulates on the at least two balloons. 
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 32  including the additional step of performing a surgical procedure on the hip joint after the joint articulates on the at least two balloons. 
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein the shaft is bent by steering a distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein the leg is abducted prior to reducing the force applied to the body part. 
     
     
         36 . A joint-spacing balloon catheter comprising:
 a flexible shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;   at least two balloons mounted to the distal end of the shaft; and   a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft;   wherein the flexible shaft is configured to bend into a U-shaped configuration when an external force maintaining distraction is released.   
     
     
         37 . A joint-spacing balloon catheter according to  claim 36  wherein the handle comprises a control for steering the distal end of the shaft relative to the proximal end of the shaft.