Systems and methods for joint stabilization
Photodynamic devices for stabilizing a joint are provided. In some embodiments, a photodynamic joint spacer is provided that includes an expandable member configured for attachment to a bone having an excised region; a formable bar configured for attachment to the bone along at least a portion of the expandable member; and a light-sensitive liquid passed into the expandable member to expand the expandable member, wherein the expandable member is shaped by the formable bar to a shape resembling the excised region of the bone, and wherein the light-sensitive liquid is curable upon exposure to light energy to set the expandable member in the shape resembling the excised region to form a photodynamic joint spacer.
1. A method for stabilizing an articular joint comprising:
attaching a formable bar to a bone in proximity to an excised region;
disposing an expandable member adjacent to the formable bar;
shaping, using a placement and an angle of the formable bar, the expandable member to approximate an anatomical angle of the excised region of the bone;
expanding the expandable member with a light-sensitive liquid; and
curing the light-sensitive liquid within the expandable member to create a photodynamic joint spacer having the anatomical angle of the excised region of the bone to stabilize the joint.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the formable bar is semi-cylindrical to facilitate conformal attachment of the formable bar to an outer surface of the bone.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting the expandable member into an intramedullary cavity of the bone.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising passing a light conducting fiber through an inner lumen of a delivery catheter and into the expandable member to disperse light energy within the expandable member.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising attaching the expandable member to the formable bar with one or more retaining members.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising passing the light-sensitive liquid into the expandable member to expand the expandable member from a deflated state to an inflated state.