Spinal tissue distraction devices

摘要

Spinal tissue distraction devices that include a member which has a pre-deployed configuration for insertion between tissue layers and a deployed configuration in which the member, by change of configuration, forms a support structure for separating and supporting layers of spinal tissue.

主权项

1. A method for supporting and/or distracting tissue layers comprising:
advancing a one-piece elongated distraction device to a location between tissue layers, the distraction device initially being in a generally straight configuration; forming the distraction device as it advances between the tissue layers from the generally straight configuration into a generally helical configuration comprising a plurality of coils around an axis intersecting the tissue layers, the helical configuration including a distal coil at one end for contacting one tissue layer and a proximal coil at the other end for contacting another tissue layer, the distraction device having sufficient axial extent between the distal and proximal coils to contact and support the tissue layers in a space-apart position and/or to distract the tissue layers, and stabilizing the distraction device between the tissue layers to limit relative movement of adjacent coils in a direction transverse to the axis.