METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRACTING A JOINT, INCLUDING THE PROVISION AND USE OF A NOVEL JOINT-SPACING BALLOON CATHETER AND A NOVEL INFLATABLE PERINEAL POST
A method for creating space in a joint, the method comprising: applying force to a body part so as to distract the joint and create an intrajoint space; inserting an expandable member into the intrajoint space while the expandable member is in a contracted condition; expanding the expandable member within the intrajoint space; and reducing the force applied to the body part so that the joint is supported on the expandable member.
1 . A method for creating space in a joint, the method comprising:
applying force to a body part so as to distract the joint and create an intrajoint space;
inserting an expandable member into the intrajoint space while the expandable member is in a contracted condition;
expanding the expandable member within the intrajoint space; and
reducing the force applied to the body part so that the joint is supported on the expandable member.
2 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the expandable member is expanded so as to substantially bridge the intrajoint space.
3 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the expandable member is expanded so as to partially bridge the intrajoint space.
4 . A method according to claim 1 wherein reducing the force applied to the body part comprises completely eliminating the force applied to the body part.
5 . A method according to claim 1 wherein reducing the force applied to the body part comprises reducing, but not completely eliminating, the force applied to the body part.
6 . A method according to claim 1 including the further step of performing a surgical procedure on the joint after the force applied to the body part has been reduced.
7 . A method according to claim 1 including the further step of moving the body part after the force applied to the body part has been reduced, so that the joint articulates on the expandable member.
8 . A method according to claim 7 wherein the geometry of the intrajoint space is modified when the joint articulates on the expandable member.
9 . A method according to claim 7 including the additional step of performing a surgical procedure on the joint after the joint articulates on the expandable member.
10 .- 15 . (canceled)
16 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the expandable member is an inflatable member.
17 .- 36 . (canceled)
37 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the expandable member comprises a protective shield.
38 .- 43 . (canceled)
44 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the expandable member is semi-compliant.
45 .- 46 . (canceled)
47 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the expandable member is disposed at the distal end of a shaft.
48 .- 49 . (canceled)
50 . A method according to claim 47 wherein a first portion of the shaft is flexible and a second portion of the shaft is rigid.
51 .- 52 . (canceled)
53 . A method according to claim 47 wherein the shaft comprises a stiffener.
54 .- 55 . (canceled)
56 . A method according to claim 55 wherein the distal end of the shaft is steerable.
57 .- 65 . (canceled)
66 . A method according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of expandable members are inserted into the intrajoint space.
67 . A method according to claim 66 wherein the plurality of expandable members are expanded so as to specifically configure the geometry of the intra-joint space.
68 . A method according to claim 66 wherein at least two of the plurality of expandable members are expanded to different pressures.
69 . A method according to claim 66 wherein at least two of the plurality of expandable members comprise different construction attributes.
70 . (canceled)
71 . A method according to claim 66 wherein the plurality of expandable members are disposed at the distal end of a shaft.
72 . A method according to claim 71 wherein the plurality of expandable members are disposed serial to one another.
73 . (canceled)
74 . A method according to claim 71 wherein the plurality of expandable members are disposed in an arcuate configuration.
75 .- 79 . (canceled)
80 . A method for creating space in a joint, the method comprising:
inserting a first expandable member into the interior of the joint while the expandable member is in a contracted condition;
expanding the first expandable member within the joint so as to create a first intrajoint space;
inserting a second expandable member into the first intrajoint space while the second expandable member is in a contracted condition; and
expanding the second expandable member within the first intrajoint space so as to create a second intrajoint space.
81 . A joint-spacing balloon catheter comprising:
a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;
an expandable member attached to the distal end of the shaft, the expandable member being capable of supporting opposing bones of a previously-distracted joint when the distraction force is reduced; and
a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft.
82 .- 142 . (canceled)