SKELETAL MANIPULATION SYSTEM
A system for manipulating a portion of the skeletal system in the body of a mammal includes an implant having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured for coupling to a first location of the skeletal system and the second portion configured for coupling to a second location of the skeletal system. The system includes an adjustment device configured to change at least one of the distance or force between the first location and the second location, the adjustment device having a magnetic element configured for rotation about an axis of rotation, the magnetic element being operatively coupled to a drive element configured to alter at least one of the distance or the force between the first location and the second location. The system also includes an external adjustment device configured to magnetically couple to the adjustment device from a location external to the mammal.
1 . A system for manipulating a portion of the skeletal system in the body of a mammal comprising:
an implant having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured for coupling to a first location of the skeletal system and the second portion configured for coupling to a second location of the skeletal system;
an adjustment device configured to change at least one of the distance or force between the first location and the second location, the adjustment device comprising a magnetic element configured for rotation about an axis of rotation, the magnetic element being operatively coupled to a drive element configured to alter at least one of the distance or the force between the first location and the second location;
an external adjustment device configured to magnetically couple to the adjustment device from a location external to the mammal, the external adjustment device comprising a first permanent magnet configured for rotation about a first axis and a second permanent magnet configured for rotation about a second axis; and
wherein cooperative rotation of the first permanent magnet about the first axis and rotation of the second permanent magnet about the second axis result in rotation of the magnetic element about its axis of rotation.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein adjustment device is configured to change the distance between the first portion of the implant and the second portion of the implant when the magnetic element is rotated about the axis of rotation.
3 . The system or claim 2 , wherein rotation of the magnetic element in a first direction increases the distance between the first portion of the implant and the second portion of the implant and rotation of the magnetic element in a second direction decreases the distance between the first portion of the implant and the second portion of the implant.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the external adjustment device is configured to rotate the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet at the same angular velocity.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first permanent magnet has at least one north pole and at least one south pole, and wherein the second permanent magnet has at least one north pole and at least one south pole, and wherein the external adjustment device is configured to rotate the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet such that the angular location of the at least one north pole of the first permanent magnet is substantially equal to the angular location of the at least one south pole of the second permanent magnet through a full rotation of the first and second permanent magnets.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the external adjustment device comprises a motor configured for rotating the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic element is cylindrical.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic element comprises a permanent magnet.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the magnetic element comprises a rare earth magnet.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the magnetic element comprises Neodynium-Iron-Boron.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the magnetic element is grade N30 or higher.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the magnetic element is grade N48 or higher.
13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the magnetic element has a mass of less than 6.0 grams.
14 . The system of claim, 13 , wherein the magnetic element has a mass of less than 3.0 grams.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first permanent magnet comprises a rare earth magnet.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the first permanent magnet comprises Neodynium-Iron-Boron.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the first permanent magnet is grade N30 or higher.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the first permanent magnet is grade N48 or higher.
19 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the implant is configured for manipulating the spine of a patient who has been diagnosed with scoliosis.
20 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the implant is configured to apply a non-invasively adjustable distraction force between the first location and the second location.
21 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second permanent magnets of the external adjustment device are configured for placement on the same side of the body of the mammal.
22 . A system for manipulating a portion of the skeletal system in the body of a subject comprising:
an implant having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured for placement on the skeletal system of the subject at a first location and the second portion configured for placement on the skeletal system of the subject at a second location;
an adjustment device disposed on the implant and comprising a magnetic element configured for rotation about an axis of rotation, the magnetic element being operatively coupled a drive element configured to alter the relative position of the first portion and the second portion of the implant;
an external adjustment device configured to magnetically couple to the adjustment device from a location external to the subject, the external adjustment device comprising at least one magnet configured for rotation about an axis, wherein rotation of the at least one magnet about the axis results in rotation of the magnetic element of the adjustment device about its axis of rotation; and
wherein the magnetic element has a mass of three grams or less.
23 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the external adjustment device imparts a torque of at least 3.0 inch-ounces to the magnetic element at a separation distance of around 1.0 inches.
24 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the magnetic element comprises a permanent magnet.
25 . The system of claim 24 , wherein the magnetic element comprises a rare earth magnet.
26 . The system of claim 25 , wherein the magnetic element comprises Neodynium-Iron-Boron.
27 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the magnetic element is grade N30 or higher.
28 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the magnetic element is grade N48 or higher.
29 . A system for manipulating a portion of the skeletal system in the body of a subject comprising:
a first distraction device having first and second ends, the first distraction device being configured to attach to the skeletal system at first and second attachment points, the first distraction device including an adjustable portion comprising a permanent magnet rotationally mounted in the adjustable portion and coupled to a drive element, the adjustable portion configured to change the distance between the first and second ends of the first distraction device upon rotation of the permanent magnet;
a second distraction device having first and second ends, the second distraction device being configured to attach to the skeletal system at first and second attachment points, the second distraction device including an adjustable portion comprising a permanent magnet rotationally mounted in the adjustable portion and coupled to a drive element, the adjustable portion configured to change the distance between the first and second ends of the second distraction device upon rotation of the permanent magnet; and
an external adjustment device configured to magnetically couple to the permanent magnets of the first and second distraction devices from a location external to the subject, the external adjustment device comprising at least one permanent magnet configured for rotation about an axis.
30 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the location of the adjustable portion of the first distraction device is offset from the location of the adjustable portion of the second distraction device relative to the spine.
31 . The system of claim 29 , further comprising a magnetic shield configured to shield one of the first and second adjustable portions from a magnetic field of the external adjustment device.
32 . A system for manipulating a portion of the skeletal system in the body of a mammal comprising:
an implant having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured for coupling to a first location of the skeletal system and the second portion configured for coupling to a second location of the skeletal system;
an adjustment device disposed on the implant and configured to change at least one of the distance or force between the first location and the second location, the adjustment device comprising a magnetic element configured for cyclic movement, the magnetic element being operatively coupled to a drive element configured to alter at least one of the distance or the force between the first location and the second location; and
an external adjustment device configured to magnetically couple to the adjustment device from a location external to the mammal, the external adjustment device comprising at least one permanent magnet configured for cyclic movement.
33 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the adjustment device is disposed on the implant.
34 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the adjustment device is remotely located away from the implant.
35 . The system of claim 34 , wherein the adjustment device is coupled to the implant via a cable slidably disposed within a sheath.
36 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the magnetic element is offset from a main axis of the adjustment device.
37 . The system of claim 32 , wherein one or both of the first and second portions of the implant are coupled to the skeletal system via a hook.
38 . The system of claim 32 , wherein one or both of the first and second portions of the implant are coupled to the skeletal system via a clamp.
39 . The system of claim 32 , wherein one or both of the first and second portions of the implant are coupled to the skeletal system via one or more screws.
40 . The system of claim 32 , wherein one or both of the first and second portions of the implant are coupled to the skeletal system via a swivel joint.
41 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the magnetic element is hollow.
42 . The system of claim 32 , further comprising a vibrator configured to apply vibrational motion to the adjustment device.
43 . The system of claim 42 , wherein the vibrator is disposed on the external adjustment device.