Medical device and method to correct deformity
A system for correcting a spinal deformity includes an implant fixed to one side of a vertebra and a rod extending along an axis of the spine on a second side of the vertebra. An adjustment member, which may include a reel, is coupled to the rod. A force directing member, such as a cable, extends between the rod and the adjustment member. The force directing member is retractable toward and extendible from the adjustment member. A method of correcting spinal deformity includes providing an implant, a rod, an adjustment member coupled to the rod, and a force directing member extending between the rod and the adjustment member. The adjustment member can be retractable toward and extendible from the adjustment member.
1. A method of correcting a spinal deformity, the method comprising:
affixing an implant to a vertebra of a spine;
positioning an elongate rod along the spine;
connecting an adjustment member to the elongate rod and the implant; and
applying a magnetic force to a magnetically activate an implanted motor to drive the adjustment member thereby changing the arrangement between the elongate rod and the implant.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is connected to the adjustment member by at least one force directing member.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein during the applying step, the at least one force directing member pulls the implant toward the adjustment member.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying step includes magnetically activating a motor.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the motor is non-invasively activated.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the motor engages a gear of the adjustment member that rotates a reel and wraps the first force directing member around a portion of the reel.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is a pedicle screw.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of affixing a second implant, and connecting the second implant with a second adjustment member secured to the rod and the second implant, and applying a magnetic force to the second adjustment member.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the force applied to each implant is different.
10. The method of claim 2 , wherein the force directing member is a wire.
11. The method of claim 2 , wherein the force directing member is a cable.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the implant is affixed to a first side of the spine and the rod is positioned along a second side of the spine.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying step moves the vertebra toward the rod.
14. The method of claim 2 , wherein the applying step derotates the vertebra.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying step includes actuating the adjustment member by an external energy source.
16. A method of correcting a spinal deformity, the method comprising:
affixing an implant to a vertebra of a spine;
positioning a rod along the spine;
connecting an adjustment member to the rod and the implant; and
non-invasively applying a magnetic force to magnetically activate a motor to engage a gear of the adjustment member that rotates a reel and wraps a first force directing member around a portion of the reel thereby changing the arrangement between the rod and the implant.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the implant is connected to the adjustment member by at least one force directing member.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising the steps of affixing a second implant, and connecting the second implant with a second adjustment member secured to the rod and the second implant, and non-invasively applying a magnetic force to the second adjustment member.