System and method for heating a shape memory material spinal correction element for corrective spinal surgery

Abstract

A device and method of correcting a spinal defect in a patient employs the use of shape memory material. The shape memory material may be transitioned between a martensitic state and an austenitic state by applying heat to the shape memory material. Heat may be applied using conductive heat, convective heat, or electromagnetic radiation such as infrared radiation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings illustrate principles of the invention and, although not to scale, show relative dimensions

FIG. 1 illustrates a spinal correction system according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the steps involved in performing a spinal corrective surgery according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a spinal corrective device including insulation between different segments of the device to facilitate segmental heating and/or cooling of the spinal corrective device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a electromagnetic radiation heating device for a spinal corrective device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of a conductive heating device for a spinal corrective device according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5B illustrates a another embodiment of a conductive heating device for a spinal corrective device according to another embodiment of the invention

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a convection heating device for a spinal corrective device according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a heating device comprising a canister of heating gas in another embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of heating a spinal fixation element comprising a shape memory material, the method comprising: providing a spinal correction device comprised at least partially of a shape memory material; andheating a portion of the spinal correction device to transition the portion of the shape memory material from a martinsitic state to an austenitic state.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating is performed using electromagnetic energy.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic energy comprises infrared radiation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating is performed using a conductive heating device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating is preformed by applying a heated gas to the spinal correction device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating is performed using a convective heating device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein only a segment of the spinal correction device is heated.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the entire length of the spinal correction device is heated.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the spinal correction device has a shape of a corrected spine in the austenitic state and is adjusted to match a deformity in the spine in the martinsitic state.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of inserting a shaped spinal correction device in the martinsitic state into a patient the shaped spinal correction device in receiving portions fixed to vertebrae of a patient.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein heating the spinal correction device to transition to the austenitic state to apply corrective forces to the spine.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material comprises a shape memory metal.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material comprises nitinol.

14. A method of heating a spinal fixation element comprising a shape memory material, the method comprising: providing a spinal correction device comprised at least partially of a shape memory material; andapplying electromagnetic radiation to a portion of the spinal correction device to transition the portion of the shape memory material from a martinsitic state to an austenitic state.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the electromagnetic energy comprises infrared radiation.

16. A method of correcting a spinal deformity, comprising the steps of: placing a cooled spinal correction device in the body, wherein the cooled spinal fixation element includes a shape memory material in a martinsitic state; andheating a portion of the spinal correction device while in the body to transition the portion of the shape memory material form to an austentic state.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of adjusting the shape of the spinal correction device while in the body.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of heating comprises applying electromagnetic radiation.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprises infrared radiation.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of heating comprises applying a conductive heating device.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating is preformed by applying a heated gas to the spinal correction device

22. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of heating comprises applying a convective heating device

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the convective heating device can be used to cool the spinal correction device.

24. A device for applying heat to a segment of a spinal correction device, comprising: a handle for holding the device; anda heating element extending from the handle for applying heat to the segment of the spinal correction device;

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the heating element comprises a restive element for conductively heating a segment of the spinal correction device.

26. The device of claim 24, wherein the heating element comprises an electromagnetic radiation emitter.

27. The device of claim 25, wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter is an infrared radiation emitter.

28. A convective heating device for heating a spinal fixation element, the device comprising: a housing configured to be wrapped around the spinal fixation element; anda path for heating gas to be circulated through the housing.

29. A method of heating a spinal correction device comprising a shape memory alloy, the method comprising the steps of: providing a spinal correction device comprising a shape memory material; andheating a first segment of the spinal correction device without affecting the temperature of other segments of the spinal correction device.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of heating comprises applying electromagnetic radiation.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprises infrared radiation.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of heating comprises applying a conductive heating device.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of heating comprises applying a convective heating device