Catheter system, devices and methods for diagnosing and treating lateral stenosis causing back pain and or leg pain. The devices comprise a tubular part for insertion into a working cannula to self-position itself safely within the foramen, and minimize the risk of displacement medially or laterally, to prevent nerve or dura injury. An expandable membrane is configured to maintain the catheter device within the foramen. Expansion of this membrane would decompress the nerve within the foramen by opening the foraminal canal as the membrane expands.

An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes in a spinal motion segment is provided. The spacer includes a body defining a longitudinal passageway. A first arm and a second arm are connected to the body. Each arm has a pair of extensions and a saddle defining a receiving portion configured for seating a spinous process of a scoliotic spine or a spine with misaligned spinous processes. Each arm has a proximal caming surface and is capable of rotation with respect to the body. An actuator assembly is disposed inside the longitudinal passageway and connected to the body. When advanced, a threaded shaft of the actuator assembly contacts the caming surfaces of arms to rotate them from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the distracted adjacent spinous processes are seated in the superior and inferior arms of the spacer.

A method of treating scoliosis in a subject includes securing a scoliosis treatment device to first and second locations on the subject's skeletal system, the scoliosis treatment device including a first portion, a second portion moveably mounted relative to the first portion, and an adjustment device disposed on the device and configured to change a distraction force between the first location and the second location, the adjustment device including a rotationally mounted magnetic element configured to move the second portion relative to the first portion in response to rotation of the magnetic element. An external adjustment device is provided external to the subject and is able to adjust the distraction force between the first location and second location.

Disclosed are laminoplasty devices and systems, kits that include such laminoplasty devices or systems or components thereof; and methods of assembling and using such laminoplasty devices and systems. In particular, articulating laminoplasty devices are provided that allow lamina plates to be adjusted angularly and transitionally with respect to a cage connecting the lamina plates. Also provided are laminoplasty plates that are configured so as to be assembled with a bone graft housing, and which provide an opening configured to facilitate bone graft insertion into the housing. Further provided are expandable laminoplasty fixation systems that include a lateral mass plate, a lamina plate and a set screw that when screwed and unscrewed, allows one to contract and expand the plates with respect to one another.

Technologies are generally provided for devices, systems, and methods to provide spinal fixation, spinal stabilization, and/or spinal fusion. Example devices may include a first end and a second end with a middle portion extending between the first and second end. The first end may be configured to be in contact with a portion of a first or upper vertebra and the second end may be configured to be in contact with a portion of a second or lower vertebra in an adjacent vertebral pair. Portions of the vertebra which may be in contact with the device may include lamina, processes, vertebral bodies, and facet joints. The example devices may include bone engagement features, such as screws or similar fasteners, to enhance stabilization and fixation when in contact with the vertebrae. Additionally, the devices may include a bone integration feature to promote bone growth and to facilitate fusion between the vertebrae.

An interspinous process bracing system comprises an interspinous process brace and a delivery device. The interspinous process brace includes a flexible and foldable bag, and a filler. An injection opening is provided at a proximal end of the bag. The delivery device comprises a delivery tube. A distal end of the delivery tube is detachably connected to the injection opening. The filler can be injected, through the delivery tube and the injection opening, into the bag to expand the bag, forming the interspinous process brace. The system achieves interspinous process bracing through a minimally invasive surgery and thereby reduces injuries.

A laterally deflectable asymmetric implant for implanting into a body may comprise a deflectable piece having distal and proximal ends and assuming a straightened insertion state. The backbone may abut or interconnect with said deflectable piece at the distal end of the deflectable piece. In a fully deflected state the implant may define an asymmetric shape, e.g. a D-shaped loop, defining an at least partially enclosed volume. The deflectable piece may comprise a sequence of segments interconnected at effective hinges. Longitudinal pressure applied to the proximal end of the deflectable piece (or applied to the backbone in an opposite direction) may cause relative longitudinal movement between the backbone and the proximal end of the deflectable piece and may generate outward horizontal movement of the deflectable piece away from the backbone. In one embodiment, the implant is implanted using lateral access into an anterior zone of a vertebra and deployed posteriorly.

A percutaneous and minimally invasive instrument for inserting an interspinous process spacer into a patient is disclosed. The insertion instrument includes a first assembly connected to a handle assembly. The first assembly includes an inner shaft located inside an outer shaft and configured for relative translational motion with respect to the outer shaft. The relative translational motion causes one of the outer or inner shafts to move with respect to the other and thereby deflect at least one prong formed on one of the inner or outer shafts wherein such deflection causes engagement with a juxtapositioned interspinous spacer. The instrument further includes a driving tool configured for removable insertion into a proximal end of a passageway of the instrument.

The present invention provides spinous process implants and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention, the implant includes at least one extension with a superior lobe pivotally connected to an inferior lobe, such as by a hinge, to allow unfolding of the at least one extension from a folded position to an unfolded position. In certain aspects, the folding extension may include fasteners to facilitate engagement with the spinous processes to provide both a flexion stop as well as an extension stop. The fasteners may have corresponding bores to allow the fasteners to reside in the bores to provide a compact profile for implantation. In another aspect of the invention, the implant is introduced to the surgical site using a lateral or paramedian approach and associated tools to facilitate the same.

An interspinous process device is configured for placement between adjacent spinous processes on a subject's spine. The device includes a housing configured for mounting to a first spinal process, the housing having a lead screw fixedly secured at one end thereof. A magnetic assembly is at least partially disposed within the housing and configured for mounting to a second spinal process. The magnetic assembly includes a hollow magnet configured for rotation within the magnetic assembly, the hollow magnet comprising a threaded insert configured to engage with the lead screw. An externally applied magnetic field rotates the hollow magnet in a first direction or a second, opposite direction. Rotation of the hollow magnet in the first direction causes telescopic movement of the magnetic assembly out of the housing (i.e., elongation) and rotation in the second direction causes telescopic movement of the magnetic assembly into the housing (i.e., shortening).