Methods and Apparatus For Treating Spinal Stenosis

Abstract

This invention relates generally to spine surgery and, in particular, to methods and apparatus for treating spinal stenosis with a spinous process spacer and an overlay designed to extend between the superior and inferior spinous processes in order to restore the integrity and functional benefits of the supraspinous ligament.

1 . A system for treating spinal stenosis, comprising:
 an implant dimensioned to fit between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process, the implant including a first notch to receive the superior spinous process and a second notch to receive the inferior spinous process to effect fusion between at least one of the first notch and the superior spinous process and the second notch and the inferior spinous process; and   an overlay dimensioned to extend from a distal portion of the first spinous process to a distal portion of the second spinous process to restore the supraspinous ligament.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling element configured to maintain placement of the implant between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process; 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is made of at least one of a bone material and a non-bone material. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the non-bone material is at least one of polyetheretherketone and polyetherketoneketone. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the overlay comprises at least one of surgical mesh, textile and embroidery. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of anchors to secure the overlay to the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the anchors include at least one of pins, screws, nails, tacks and staples. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the overlay extends over a portion of the sides of the superior spinous process and over a portion of the sides of the inferior spinous process such that the implant is covered by the overlay. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the overlay is formed as an integral part of the implant. 
     
     
         10 . A method for treating spinal stenosis, comprising:
 gaining access to an interspinous space between a first spinous process and a second spinous process;   inserting an implant in the interspinous space, the implant dimensioned to fit between the first spinous process and the second spinous process, the implant including a first notch to receive the first spinous process and a second notch to receive the second spinous process to effect fusion between at least one of the first notch and the first spinous process and the second notch and the second spinous process; and   securing an overlay to at least a portion of the first spinous process and at least a portion of the second spinous process such that the overlay extends from a distal portion of the first spinous process to a distal portion of the second spinous process to restore the supraspinous ligament.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the overlay comprises at least one of surgical mesh, textile and embroidery. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein securing the overlay comprises introducing at least one anchor into each of the first and second spinous processes and through the overlay. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anchors include at least one of pins, screws, nails, tacks and staples. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the overlay extends over a portion of the sides of the first spinous process and over a portion of the sides of the second spinous process such that the implant is covered by the overlay. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the overlay is formed as an integral part of the implant. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising abrading a portion of at least one of the first spinous process or second spinous process. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising
 applying fusion inducing materials in contact with the implant to effect fusion between the implant and at least one of the first spinous process and the second spinous process   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the fusion inducing material includes any of Bone Morphogenic Protein, demineralized bone matrix, allograft cancellous bone, autograft bone, hydroxyapatite and coral. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising
 coupling the implant between the first spinous process and the second spinous process with a coupling element to maintain placement of the implant.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the implant is made of at least one of a bone material and a non-bone material. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the non-bone material is at least one of polyetheretherketone and polyetherketoneketone.