Systems and methods for spinal realignment

1 . A device for spinal realignment, comprising:

an anchor apparatus configurable in a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration, comprising:

an elongated body defining a first section, a second section, and a channel extending axially through the elongated body wherein the second section is positionable within an intradiscal space of a spinal column and wherein the first section includes a pair of deployable wings defined by the first section, each deployable wing of the pair of deployable wings comprising a first portion pivotably engaged with a second portion by a middle joint, wherein the first portion is pivotably engaged with the first section of the elongated body by a first joint and wherein the second portion is pivotably and slidably engaged with the channel of the elongated body by a second joint; and

an inner rod disposed within the channel in operative association with the second joint of each deployable wing of the pair of deployable wings and configured to transition the anchor apparatus between a non-deployed position and a deployed position by actuating the second joint along a direction of elongation of the channel; and

wherein, when deployed beyond the intradiscal space, the second portion of each deployable wing bears against a contralateral side of a vertebral body and, upon application of a proximally-directed axial pulling force along a longitudinal axis of the elongated body to the second section from an ipsilateral side of the vertebral body, the force is reacted at the contralateral side of the vertebral body via the pair of deployable wings, wherein the second section of the elongated body extends from the ipsilateral side of the vertebral body.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein rotating the inner rod in a first rotational direction about the direction of elongation of the channel drives the second portion of each deployable wing in a first axial direction relative to the first portion such that the second portion and the first portion of each deployable wing assumes the deployed position.

3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein rotating the inner rod in an opposite second rotational direction about the direction of elongation of the channel drives the second portion of each of the pair of deployable wings in an opposite second axial direction relative to the first portion such that the second portion and the first portion of the pair of deployable wings assume the non-deployed position.

4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the elongated body further comprises a head defined by the first section.

5 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a lifting block defined by the second section of the elongated body at a first end of the inner rod;

wherein the second portion of each of the deployable wings is engaged with the lifting block by the second joint.

6 . The device of claim 5 further comprising:

a locking mechanism for locking the anchor apparatus in the deployed position or the non-deployed position, the locking mechanism defined by the second section, the locking mechanism including:

a terminal end collectively defined by the second section of the elongated body and the channel, wherein the channel of the elongated body terminates in an inner threading defined by the terminal end of the elongated body; and

a threaded portion defined by the inner rod and engaged with the inner threading of the terminal end of the elongated body.

7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the inner rod and the terminal end of the locking mechanism assume a locked position when the pair of deployable wings is in the deployed position or non-deployed position.

8 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the channel defines a pair of tracks located lateral to the channel and wherein each of the pair of tracks defines a grooved surface and wherein the lifting block is engaged with the grooved surface of the channel such that the lifting block cannot be disengaged from the channel.

9 . The anchor of apparatus claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a nut defining an inner threading and engaged with a terminal end of the lower section of the elongated body, wherein the nut is operable for rotating independently of the lower section; and

a threaded portion defined by the inner rod and engaged with the inner threading of the nut;

wherein rotating the nut in a first clockwise or counterclockwise direction drives the lower section of the elongated body in a first axial direction until the pair of deployable wings assume the deployed position; and

wherein rotating the nut in a second opposite clockwise or counterclockwise direction drives the lower section of the elongated body in an opposite second axial direction until the pair of deployable wings assume the non-deployed position.

10 . The anchor apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the inner rod and nut assume a locked position when the pair of deployable wings is in the deployed position or the non-deployed position.

11 . The anchor apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a runner formed by the lower section of the elongated body, wherein the inner rod is disposed through the runner and wherein the runner is configured to be driven in a first axial direction or an opposite second axial direction;

an upper fin protruding from an upper fin aperture defined by the inner rod, wherein an upper fin spring disposed inside the inner rod applies a lateral force in a first lateral direction to the upper fin; and

a lower fin protruding from a lower fin aperture defined by the inner rod, wherein a lower fin spring located inside the inner rod applies a lateral force in the first lateral direction to the lower fin;

wherein driving the lower section of the elongated body in a first axial direction until the pair of deployable wings assume the deployed position causes the runner to ride over a curved side of the upper fin and become engaged with a flat side of the upper fin such that the lower section assumes a locked position and cannot be driven in the opposite second axial direction;

wherein driving the lower section of the elongated body in the opposite second axial direction until the pair of deployable wings assume the non-deployed position causes the runner to ride over a curved side of the lower fin and become engaged with a flat side of the lower fin such that the lower section assumes a locked position and cannot be driven in the first axial direction.

12 . The anchor apparatus of claim 11 , wherein pushing the upper fin or the lower fin in an opposite second lateral direction into the inner rod causes the runner to assume an unlocked position such that the runner can be driven in the first axial direction or the second axial direction, and wherein the lower fin can be pushed into the lower fin aperture using a button defined on the runner.

13 . The anchor apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the upper portion of each of the pair of deployable wings is tensioned while in the deployed position such that an axial force is applied to the lower portion in the second axial direction by the upper portion of the pair of deployable wings.

14 . The anchor apparatus of claim 13 , wherein an axial force is applied to the runner in the second axial direction by the lower portion of the pair of deployable wings such that the runner contacts the flat side of the upper fin in the locked position.

15 . The device of claim 1 , wherein a second end of the inner rod is configured for engagement with a handle.

16 . The device of claim 15 , further comprising a winch attachment configured for engagement with the second end of the inner rod for applying the proximally-directed axial pulling force to the second section of the elongated body from the ipsilateral side of the vertebral body.