INTERSPINOUS PROCESS IMPLANT INCLUDING A BINDER AND METHOD OF IMPLANTATION
Systems in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can include an implant comprising a spacer for defining a minimum space between adjacent spinous processes, a distraction guide for piercing and distracting an interspinous ligament during implantation, and a binder for limiting or preventing flexion motion of the targeted motion segment. The binder can be secured to a brace associated with the implant during implantation by a capture device. In one embodiment, the capture device includes a fixed piece extending from the brace and a slidable piece associated with the fixed piece. A fastener can be rotated to pinch the binder between the slidable piece and a wall of the brace, securing the binder. A physician need not know the length of the binder prior to implantation, reducing the time required to perform a procedure.
1 . A method, comprising:
disposing an elongated member substantially around a pair of adjacent spinous processes; and
rotating a distal end portion of a tool to couple a first end portion of the elongated member to a second end portion of the elongated member after the disposing.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
adjusting, before the rotating, a length of the elongated member substantially around the pair of adjacent spinous processes such that an amount of flexion associated with the pair of adjacent spinous processes is limited.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
adjusting, before the rotating, a tension of the elongated member substantially around the pair of adjacent spinous processes such that an amount of flexion associated with the pair of adjacent spinous processes is limited.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool is a first tool, the method further comprising:
inserting, before the disposing, the elongated member into a patient's body via a second tool.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the disposing include threading the elongated member between interspinous ligaments of the pair of adjacent spinous processes so that the pair of adjacent spinous processes are disposed within a loop defined by the elongated member.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the rotating includes rotating a capture device such that the second end portion of the elongated member is coupled to a brace, the first end portion of the elongated member is fixedly coupled to the brace.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming, before the inserting, an incision in the patient's body; and
inserting, before the disposing, the elongated member into the patient's body through the incision.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
forming, before the inserting, an incision in the patient's body;
inserting, before the disposing, the elongated member into the patient's body through the incision; and
inserting, before the rotating, a distal end portion of the tool into the patient's body through the incision such that a proximal end portion of the tool is disposed outside of the patient's body.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool is a first tool, further comprising:
forming, before the inserting, the incision in the patient's body;
inserting, before the disposing, the elongated member into the patient's body through the incision via a second tool; and
inserting, before the actuating, a distal end portion of the first tool into the patient's body through the incision such that a proximal end portion of the first tool is disposed outside of the patient's body.
10 . A method, comprising:
inserting an elongated member into a patient's body through an incision in the body;
disposing, after the inserting, the elongated member substantially around a pair of adjacent spinous processes; and
actuating, after the disposing, a tool through the incision to couple a first end portion of the elongated member to a second end portion of the elongated member.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
adjusting, before the actuating, a length of the elongated member substantially around the pair of adjacent spinous processes such that an amount of flexion associated with the pair of adjacent spinous processes is limited.
12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
adjusting, before the actuating, a tension of the elongated member substantially around the pair of adjacent spinous processes such that an amount of flexion associated with the pair of adjacent spinous processes is limited.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the disposing include threading the elongated member between interspinous ligaments of the pair of adjacent spinous processes so that the pair of adjacent spinous processes are disposed within a loop defined by the elongated member.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the actuating includes rotating a distal end portion of the tool such that a capture device couples the second end portion of the elongated member to a brace, the first end portion of the elongated member is fixedly coupled to the brace.
15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
forming, before the inserting, the incision in the patient's body; and
inserting, before the disposing, the elongated member into the patient's body through the incision.
16 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
forming, before the inserting, the incision in the patient's body;
inserting, before the disposing, the elongated member into the patient's body through the incision; and
inserting, before the actuating, a distal end portion of the tool into the patient's body through the incision such that a proximal end portion of the tool is disposed outside of the patient's body.
17 . A kit, comprising:
a coupler;
an elongated member, a first end portion of the elongated member being fixedly coupled to the coupler; and
a tool configured to couple a second end portion of the elongated member to the coupler while the elongated member is disposed substantially around a pair of adjacent spinous processes.
18 . The kit of claim 17 , wherein:
the coupler includes a brace and a capture device;
the first end portion of the elongated member fixedly coupled to the brace, the second end portion of the elongated member removably coupleable to the brace via the capture device; and
the tool configured to rotate the capture device while the elongated member is disposed around the pair of adjacent spinous processes.
19 . The kit of claim 17 , wherein the tool is a first tool, the kit further comprising:
a second tool configured to insert the coupler and the elongated member into a patient's body through an incision.
20 . The kit of claim 17 , wherein the tool is a first tool, the kit further comprising:
a second tool configured to insert the coupler and the elongated member into a patient's body through an incision,
a distal end portion of the first tool is configured to be inserted into the patient's body through the incision and couple the second end portion of the elongated member to the coupler.
21 . A method, comprising:
placing an elongated member around a pair of adjacent spinous processes in a patient's body, the elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end; and
coupling a distal portion of the elongated member to a proximal portion of the elongated member, via a tool, such that a displacement of the two adjacent spinous processes away from each other is limited.
22 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
adjusting a coupling member, the coupling member engaging the distal portion and the proximal portion of the elongated member, such that the displacement of the two adjacent spinous processes away from each other is further limited.
23 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
adjusting a coupling member via tool, the coupling member moveably engaged with the distal portion and the proximal portion of the elongated member, such that a displacement of the two adjacent spinous processes away from each other after the adjusting is greater than the displacement of the two adjacent spinous processes before the adjusting.
24 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
positioning a spacer between the pair of adjacent spinous processes.
25 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
positioning, before the coupling, a spacer between the pair of adjacent spinous processes, the spacer being coupled to the elongated member.