IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,727,262
Granted Patent B2
US 7,727,262 · App. 11/151,972 · Granted Jun 1, 2010

Formed in place fixation system with thermal acceleration

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,727,262
App. No.
11/151,972
Granted
Jun 1, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A subcutaneously formed in place orthopedic fixation device is provided, such as for fixation of the spine or other bone or bones. The device comprises an inflatable member, such as a tubular balloon. A heat source is provided in thermal communication with the interior of the balloon. The balloon is positioned at a treatment site while in a flexible, low crossing profile configuration. The balloon is thereafter inflated with a hardenable media, and heated to accelerate hardening of the media. Methods and delivery structures are also disclosed.

Claims (50)

1. A method of treating a patient, comprising the steps of:

gaining access to at least a portion of a spinal column of the patient;

securing a first rod at a first site in the patient, the first rod extending between a first vertebra and a second vertebra;

securing a second rod at a second site in the patient, the second rod extending between the first vertebra and the second vertebra;

introducing a curable media in between the first and second rods to form a cross link, the first rod, second rod, and cross link forming an orthopedic fixation structure for supporting at least the first and second vertebrae;

heating at least a portion of the media to a temperature of at least about 50 degrees C. to accelerate curing of the media thereby linking the first rod to the second rod; and

closing the access to the spinal column and maintaining the orthopedic fixation structure within the patient.

2. A method of treating a patient as in claim 1 , wherein the introducing step comprises introducing the curable media into a tubular media support structure extending between the first and second rods.

3. A method of treating a patient as in claim 2 , wherein the support structure comprises a balloon.

4. A method of treating a patient as in claim 1 , wherein the method is accomplished percutaneously.

5. A method of treating a patient, comprising the steps of:

securing a first rod at a first site in the patient;

securing a second rod at a second site in the patient;

introducing a curable media in between the first and second rods to form a cross link; and

heating at least a portion of the media to a temperature of at least about 50 degrees C. to accelerate curing of the media thereby linking the first rod to the second rod to form an orthopedic fixation device;

wherein the linking step comprises positioning a balloon between the first and second rods and introducing the media into the balloon.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein securing the first rod at the first site comprises:

engaging a first bone anchor having a first opening with a first vertebra;

engaging a second bone anchor having a second opening with a second vertebra;

extending a first rod housing through the first and second openings; and

introducing a hardenable media into the first rod housing to form the first rod.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first rod is attached to a first connector having a first aperture extending therethrough and the second rod is attached to a second connector having a second aperture extending therethrough, and

wherein positioning the balloon between the first and second rods comprises extending the balloon through the first and second apertures.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein introducing the media into the balloon enlarges a first end portion of the balloon to a first diameter larger than the first aperture of the first connector and enlarges a second end portion of the balloon to a second diameter larger than the second aperture of the second connector, thereby securing the balloon to the first and second connectors.

9. A method of treating a patient, comprising the steps of:

gaining access to at least a portion of a spinal column of the patient;

securing a first rod to a first vertebra and a second vertebra, the first rod attached to a first connector having a first aperture extending therethrough;

securing a second rod to the first vertebra and the second vertebra, the second rod attached to a second connector having a second aperture extending therethrough;

extending an inflatable member through the first and second apertures;

introducing a hardenable media into the inflatable member, thereby inflating the inflatable member;

curing the hardenable media within the inflatable member to form a cross link between the first and second rods such that the cross link and the first and second rods together form an orthopedic fixation device; and

closing the access to the spinal column and maintaining the orthopedic fixation device within the patient.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein securing the first rod to the first vertebra and the second vertebra comprises:

engaging a first bone anchor having a first opening with the first vertebra;

engaging a second bone anchor having a second opening with the second vertebra;

extending a first rod housing through the first and second openings;

introducing a hardenable media into the first rod housing; and

curing the hardenable media within the first rod housing.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein inflating the inflatable member enlarges a first end portion of the inflatable member to a first diameter larger than the first aperture of the first connector and enlarges a second end portion of the inflatable member to a second diameter larger than the second aperture of the second connector, thereby securing the inflatable member to the first and second connectors.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein inflating the inflatable member enlarges a central portion of the inflatable member positioned between the first and second end portions to a third diameter larger than both the first aperture of the first connector and the second aperture of the second connector.

13. A method of treating a patient, comprising the steps of:

gaining access to at least a portion of a spinal column of the patient;

securing a first rod to a first vertebra and a second vertebra, the first rod attached to a first connector having a first aperture extending therethrough;

securing a second rod to the first vertebra and the second vertebra, the second rod attached to a second connector having a second aperture extending therethrough;

extending an inflatable member through the first and second apertures;

introducing a hardenable media into the inflatable member, thereby inflating the inflatable member;

curing the hardenable media within the inflatable member to form a cross link between the first and second rods such that the cross link and the first and second rods together form an orthopedic fixation device; and

closing the access to the spinal column and maintaining the orthopedic fixation device within the patient;

wherein inflating the inflatable member enlarges a first end portion of the inflatable member to a first diameter larger than the first aperture of the first connector and enlarges a second end portion of the inflatable member to a second diameter larger than the second aperture of the second connector, thereby securing the inflatable member to the first and second connectors;

wherein at least one of the first and second apertures comprises an annular ring with an expansion break to allow an enlargement of the aperture.