Method and apparatus for spinal augmentation
View Patent ↗Disclosed are methods and devices for accessing and treating the spine, while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue. A device is introduced through tissue, to an access point on the spine. The device is thereafter advanced axially within the spine, from the access point across a treatment zone. Spinal fusion cages, other fusion implants and/or bone growth material is introduced into at least one vertebral body and/or at least one disc space.
1. A method of augmenting the spine, comprising the steps of:
providing an elongate augmentation catheter, having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending therethrough;
advancing the distal end axially through at least one vertebral body and into at least one disc; and
expressing at least a first media from the catheter into the spine.
2. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the expressing step comprises expressing at least a first media and a second media from the catheter.
3. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the advancing step comprises advancing the distal end through at least two vertebral bodies.
4. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 3 , wherein the advancing step comprises advancing the distal end through at least four vertebral bodies.
5. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the first media comprises a nucleus augmentation material.
6. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the media comprises a bone growth facilitator.
7. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of introducing a spinal fusion cage axially into the spine.
8. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 1 , wherein the advancing step comprises advancing the catheter through an artificial lumen created axially through the spine.
9. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 8 , further comprising the step of forming the lumen prior to the advancing step.
10. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 8 , further comprising the step of forming the lumen simultaneously with the advancing step.
11. A method of augmenting the spine as in claim 10 , wherein the providing step comprises providing a catheter having a cutting tip on the distal end.
12. A method of treating the spine, comprising the steps of:
identifying an access site on the spine;
advancing a device through the access site and into the spine;
further advancing the device axially through the spine across a treatment zone;
expressing a bone growth material from the device within the treatment zone; and
deploying at least a portion of the device within the treatment zone.
13. A method of treating the spine as in claim 12 , wherein the access site is on the sacrum.
14. A method of treating the spine as in claim 12 , wherein the access site is on the thoracic spine.
15. A method of treating the spine as in claim 12 , further comprising the step of introducing the device percutaneously through the skin prior to the advancing step.
16. A method of treating the spine as in claim 12 , wherein the further advancing step comprises advancing the device along a linear path through the spine.
17. A method of treating the spine as in claim 12 , wherein the further advancing step comprises advancing the device along a nonlinear path through the spine.
18. A method of treating the spine as in claim 12 , wherein the expressing step comprises expressing the material into at least two vertebral bodies.
19. A method of treating the spine, comprising the steps of:
identifying a site on the anterior surface of the sacrum;
forming a lumen from the site through the sacrum, through a disc and axially into at least one vertebrae;
directly observing the interior of the spine by introducing an endoscope into the lumen; and
performing a procedure using the lumen.
20. A method of treating the spine as in claim 19 , wherein the procedure is a diagnostic procedure.
21. A method of treating the spine as in claim 19 , wherein the procedure is a therapeutic procedure.
22. A method of treating the spine as in claim 21 , wherein the lumen extends at least as far as the L 4 vertebrae.
23. A method of treating the spine as in claim 22 , wherein the lumen is linear.
24. A method of treating the spine as in claim 19 , wherein the forming step comprises drilling.
25. A method of treating the spine as in claim 21 , wherein the procedure comprises removing at least a part of a disc.
26. A method of treating the spine as in claim 21 , wherein the procedure comprises removing an entire nucleus.
27. A method of treating the spine as in claim 21 , wherein the procedure further comprises inserting a fusion device.
28. A method of treating the spine as in claim 21 , wherein the procedure comprises introducing a bone growth material.
29. A method of treating the spine, comprising the steps of:
identifying a site on the surface of the sacrum;
forming a lumen from the site through the sacrum, through a disc and into at least one vertebrae; and
positioning a tubular fusion device within the lumen.
30. A method of treating the spine as in claim 29 , wherein the fusion device has an external thread.
31. A method of treating the spine as in claim 29 , wherein the fusion device comprises a side wall with a plurality of apertures therethrough.
32. A method of treating the spine as in claim 31 , wherein the lumen extends at least as far as the L 4 vertebrae.
33. A method of treating the spine as in claim 32 , wherein the lumen is linear.
34. A method of treating the spine as in claim 29 , wherein the forming step comprises drilling.
35. A method of treating the spine as in claim 31 , wherein the procedure additionally comprises the step of removing at least a part of a disc.
36. A method of treating the spine as in claim 31 , wherein the procedure additionally comprises the step of removing an entire nucleus.
37. A method of treating the spine as in claim 31 , wherein the procedure additionally comprises the step of introducing a bone growth material into the lumen.
38. A method of fusing the spine, comprising the steps of:
identifying a site on the anterior surface of the sacrum;
forming a lumen from the site through the sacrum, through a disc and into at least one vertebrae; and
introducing a fusion implant through the lumen, the implant comprising at least one radially outwardly extending bone engagement structure.
39. A method of fusing the spine as in claim 38 , wherein the bone engagement structure comprises a helical thread.
40. A method of fusing the spine as in claim 38 , wherein the introducing step further comprises introducing a bone growth material.