US-12622788-B1 - Surgically implantable joint spacer and method of use

US12622788B1US 12622788 B1US12622788 B1US 12622788B1US-12622788-B1

Abstract

A method of seating a surgically implantable spacer including an upper and lower saddle member. The upper and lower saddles each having a first end and a second end. First and second expansion forces are applied to the first and second ends respectively causing equal separation until the first end encounters a resistive force, wherein a rate of separation between the first ends is reduced compared to rate of separation of the second ends. Vertebral contacting surfaces of the upper and lower saddle member can be arched, textured, or include any other feature to enhance an interface between the contacting surfaces and the vertebra.

Inventors

Guillermo Molina

Assignees

Guillermo Molina

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20230626

Claims (20)

1 . A method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer, the method comprising steps of: obtaining a surgically implantable spacer, wherein the surgically implantable spacer comprises a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, a lower surface contacting member, an upper surface contacting member, a lower proximal expansion control arm member, an upper proximal expansion control arm member, a lower distal expansion control arm member, an upper distal expansion control arm member, a proximal control arm rotational pivot shaft member, a distal control arm rotational pivot shaft member, and a threaded control member, wherein the lower surface contacting member and the upper surface contacting member are contracted with each at a minimal distance from the longitudinal axis extending centrally between the lower surface contacting member and the upper surface contacting member; inserting the surgically implantable spacer into a biological joint; applying a first end separating force to a first end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and a same first end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer; applying a second end separating force to a second, opposite end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and a same second, opposite end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer; wherein separation between the first end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same first end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer occurs at an equal rate as separation between the second end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same second end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer until a first end resistance force is applied to the first end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same first end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer, wherein the first end resistance force is greater than a second end resistance force at the second, opposite end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same second, opposite end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer such that a distance between the first ends of the lower surface contacting member and the upper surface contacting member and a distance between the second, opposite ends of the lower surface contacting member and the upper surface contacting member can vary respective to one another, wherein each of the lower surface contacting member and the upper surface contacting member separate from the longitudinal axis during separation, wherein, upon the increase of the first end resistance force at the first end, the first end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same first end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer expand at a reduced rate while the second, opposite end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same second, opposite end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer continue to separate from one another at approximately an original rate until at least one of: (a) the second end resistance force applied at the second, opposite end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same second, opposite end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer equals the first end resistance force, and (b) the first end separating force and the second end separating force cease causing separation of the respective ends of the upper and lower surface contacting members.
2 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the separation between the first end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same first end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the separation between the second end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same second end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer maintain the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer in a parallel relation until the first end resistance force is applied to the first end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same first end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer.
3 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 1 , further comprising steps of: utilizing at least one first end control member having a first end connected to the first end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and a second end connected to the second, opposite end connected to the same first end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer to apply the first end separating force; and utilizing at least one second end control member having a first end connected to the second end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the second, opposite end connected to the same second end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer to apply the second end separating force.
4 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of: contracting a distance between the proximal end of the surgically implantable spacer and the distal end of the surgically implantable spacer causing a distance between the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the upper contacting surface of the surgically implantable spacer to increase.
5 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of: expanding a distance between the proximal end of the surgically implantable spacer and the distal end of the surgically implantable spacer, minimizing the distance between the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer prior to the step of inserting the surgically implantable spacer into the biological joint.
6 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of: contracting a distance between the proximal end of the surgically implantable spacer and the distal end of the surgically implantable spacer by rotating the threaded control member.
7 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of: positioning the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer in a non-parallel arrangement.
8 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer having has an outwardly arched surface and the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer has an outwardly arched surface, the method further comprising steps of: seating the outwardly arched surface of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer against a first surface of the biological joint; and seating the outwardly arched surface of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer against a second surface of the biological joint.
9 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer has a textured surface and the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer has a textured surface, method further comprising steps of: seating the textured surface of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer against a first surface of the biological joint; and seating the textured surface of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer against a second surface of the biological joint.
10 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of: introducing bone graft material within an interior of the surgically implantable spacer.
11 . A method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer, the method comprising steps of: obtaining a surgically implantable spacer, wherein the surgically implantable spacer comprises a longitudinal axis, a lower surface contacting member, an upper surface contacting member, a lower proximal expansion control arm member, an upper proximal expansion control arm member, a lower distal expansion control arm member, an upper distal expansion control arm member, a proximal control arm rotational pivot shaft member, a distal control arm rotational pivot shaft member, and a threaded control member, wherein the lower surface contacting member and the upper surface contacting member are contracted with each at a minimal distance from the longitudinal axis extending centrally between the lower surface contacting member and the upper surface contacting member; inserting the surgically implantable spacer into a biological joint; applying a first end separating force to a first end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and a same first end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer; applying a second end separating force to a second, opposite end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and a same second, opposite end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer; wherein the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer move outward from one another in a parallel motion until a first end resistance force is applied to the first end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same first end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer, wherein the first end resistance force is greater than a second end resistance force at the second, opposite end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same second, opposite end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer such that a distance between the first ends of the lower surface contacting member and the upper surface contacting member and a distance between the second, opposite ends of the lower surface contacting member and the upper surface contacting member can vary respective to one another, wherein each of the lower surface contacting member and the upper surface contacting member separate from the longitudinal axis during separation, wherein, upon the increase of the first end resistance force at the first end, the first end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same first end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer expand at a reduced rate while the second, opposite end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same second, opposite end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer continue to separate from one another at approximately an original rate until at least one of: (a) the second end resistance force applied at the second, opposite end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the same second, opposite end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer equals the first end resistance force, and (b) the first end separating force and the second end separating force cease causing separation of the respective ends of the upper and lower surface contacting members.
12 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 11 , further comprising steps of: utilizing at least one first end control member having a first end connected to the first end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and a second end connected to the second, opposite end connected to the same first end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer to apply the first end separating force; and utilizing at least one second end control member having a first end connected to the second end of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the second, opposite end connected to the same second end of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer to apply the second end separating force.
13 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 11 , further comprising the step of: contracting a distance between the proximal end of the surgically implantable spacer and the distal end of the surgically implantable spacer causing a distance between a lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and an upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer to increase.
14 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 11 , further comprising the step of: expanding a distance between the proximal end of the surgically implantable spacer and the distal end of the surgically implantable spacer, minimizing the distance between a lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer prior to the step of inserting the surgically implantable spacer into a biological joint.
15 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 11 , further comprising the step of: contracting a distance between the proximal end of the surgically implantable spacer and the distal end of the surgically implantable spacer by rotating the threaded control member.
16 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 11 , further comprising the step of: positioning the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer in a non-parallel arrangement.
17 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 11 , wherein the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer has an outwardly arched surface and the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer has an outwardly arched surface, further comprising steps of: seating the outwardly arched surface of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer against a first surface of the biological joint; and seating the outwardly arched surface of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer against a second surface of the biological joint.
18 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 11 , wherein the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer has a textured surface and the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer has a textured surface, further comprising steps of: seating the textured surface of the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer against a first surface of the biological joint; and seating the textured surface of the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer against a second surface of the biological joint.
19 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 11 , further comprising the step of: introducing bone graft material within an interior of the surgically implantable spacer.
20 . The method of implanting a surgically implantable spacer as recited in claim 11 , wherein the surgically implantable spacer further includes a central opening passing through the lower surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer and a central opening passing through the upper surface contacting member of the surgically implantable spacer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a Divisional Utility Patent application claiming the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/168,068, filed on Feb. 4, 2021 (scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 11,684,485 on Jun. 27, 2023), wherein U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/168,068 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 62/970,160, filed on Feb. 4, 2020, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure generally relates to a medically implanted spacer. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a medically implanted spacer for insertion within a joint formed between two adjacent bones to enhance movement or fuse in a deteriorated biological joint. In one exemplary embodiment, the two adjacent bones are vertebra. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Biological joints can degrade over time, deteriorate as a result of a birth defect or a disease, become damaged as a result of an accident or unwarranted motion, malformations due to incorrect growths, and the like. As the joint deviates from a normal, mobile condition, the malformed joint can cause multiple issues to the individual or animal, including sporadic pain or constant pain, limited motion, any degree of incapacitation, and the like. Common joints that require surgical attention include inter-vertebrae discs, hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, and the like. Inter-vertebrae discs can degrade over time or become damaged where they no longer function properly. The defective inter-vertebrae discs allow unwarranted motion between two adjacent vertebrae. The defective inter-vertebrae discs limit or reduce the support along the individual's spine. Over time, the defective inter-vertebrae disc needs surgical attention. Inter-vertebrae discs are addressed by fusing two or more adjacent vertebrae together. One short-term drawback of this procedure is the resulting limitation of motion incurred by the individual. A long-term drawback is that over time, the fused region increases stresses on adjacent joints, resulting in additional surgical procedures to fuse other regions of the individual's spine. Other joints, such as hips and shoulders, are commonly formed having a first end of one bone moveably engaged with a mating end of a mating bone. Most joints comprise a first joint member formed in a ball and the mating joint member formed in a socket. As either or both of the surfaces of the joint members wears or deteriorates, the support of the joint degrades, hindering the mobility of the individual. In addition to the reduced mobility, the deteriorating joint can cause inflammation, discomfort, and other unwanted physical and psychological issues. The surgically implantable device must meet certain criteria. The surgically implantable device must be expandable. The surgically implantable device must be capable of locking into an expanded configuration. The surgically implantable device to be inserted into a joint while passing through a small opening, then expand into a configuration which provides support across the subject joint. The surgically implantable device must be capable of supporting a joint having differing spans along an elongated length of the surgically implantable device, such as two non-parallel surfaces. Therefore, what is desired is a device capable of being surgically implanted to repair or overcome medial deficiencies of a damaged or defective biological joint. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure is generally directed to a surgically implanted spacer for use in a joint formed between adjoining ends of two bones. In a first aspect, the surgically implantable spacer may include: a first or lower central disc replacement saddle member;a second or upper central disc replacement saddle member;a first or lower proximal expansion control arm member;a second or upper proximal expansion control arm member;a first or lower distal expansion control arm member;a second or upper distal expansion control arm member;a proximal control arm rotational pivot shaft member;a distal control arm rotational pivot shaft member; anda threaded control member,wherein the first or lower central disc replacement saddle member and the first or lower proximal expansion control arm member are hingeably assembled at a proximal end of the first or lower central disc replacement saddle member,wherein the first or lower central disc replacement saddle member and the first or lower distal expansion control arm member are hingeably assembled at a distal end of the first or lower central disc replacement saddle member,wherein the second or upper central disc replacement saddle member and the second or upper proximal expansion control arm member are hingeably assembled a proximal end of the second or upper central disc replacement saddle member,wherein the second or upper central disc replacement saddle member and the seco